Two courts exist in Swindon. These are:
Magistrates' Courts:
Individual Magistrates:
Most of the public who come into contact with the court system will do so with the Magistrates' Court. They tend not to deal with 'headline grabbing' cases. They are, however, a vital cog in the wheel of justice, and nearly all of the UK's criminals will pass through their doors.
In a complex society, governed by a many rules, the Magistrates' Courts perform a fast and relatively cheap public service, handling everything from common assault to driving offences of varying types.
Swindon Magistrates Court
Princes Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 2JB
DX: 118725 Swindon 7
Tel: 01793 699800
Fax: 01793 433740
Map showing Magistrates Court location (opens in a separate window).
For further information about Magistrates and Magistrates Courts please visit the Direct.Gov website (www.direct.gov.uk/magistrates).
Crown Courts are subtly different to Magistrates' Courts. In general Crown Courts:
The Crown Court deals with all serious offences triable before a judge and jury, and these include murder, rape, serious assault, kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud, armed robbery, and Official Secrets Act offences.
Swindon is just one of more than 90 Crown Court centres throughout England and Wales. These centres are divided into six 'circuits'.
The Crown Court is also the appeal court against convictions and sentences by Magistrates. When appealing against conviction, the Crown Court judge re-hears all the evidence that witnesses have already given in the lower court, but there is no jury.
Swindon Crown Court
The Law Courts
Islington Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 2HG
DX: 98430 Swindon 5
Tel: 01793 690500
Fax: 01793 690535
Map showing Combined Court location (opens in a separate window)
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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