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Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust has a specialist court team in each of the Magistrates Courts and 2 Crown Courts within the Trust area, who provide information and advice which assists in the sentencing process.
Court staff also review offender’s progress on particular sentences and enforce Court Orders when offenders fail to comply.
Once charged with a crime, an individual will initially appear in a local Magistrates Court. If the individual admits guilt to committing the offence they may be sentenced. If the individual denies committing the offence, a date will be set for a trial to be heard by up to 3 Magistrates. The Magistrates Court can sentence an individual to a Community Penalty or a maximum of 12 months custody. If the case is more serious, for example Murder or Rape, then the Magistrates will commit the individual to have their case heard at the Crown Court by a Judge. Trials at the Crown Court are heard by a Jury made up of 12 members of the Public and the Judge will pass sentence if found guilty.
After an offender pleads guilty or is found guilty, the Trust may be asked to prepare a report for the court which informs and assists Magistrates and Judges when sentencing.
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