A Practical Approach to Criminal Procedure

Now in its fifteenth edition, A Practical Approach to Criminal Procedure provides a complete guide to the criminal process in England and Wales. It explains what happens before the accused appears in court, the way in which prosecutions are commenced, funding by the criminal defense service, and bail. It describes proceedings in the magistrates' court, including summary trial and committal for sentence, as well as the way in which the youth court operates. The process by which serious offences are sent direct to the Crown Court is also examined. Trial on indictment is discussed in detail, as are sentencing and appeals.

This new edition has been fully updated to incorporate recent developments in the field. In particular, attention is paid to changes to deferred prosecution agreements, alternations to life sentences and mandatory minimum sentence, criminal behavior orders and youth rehabilitation orders. Changes to the Criminal Practice Directions and Criminal Procedure Rules are also discussed. The changes to the process of sending indictable and related cases to the Crown Court are examined, in the light of the abolition of committal proceedings.

Very much a practical guide, this title makes frequent use of examples, flowcharts, and tables, and is specifically designed to assist the busy professional and student. A Practical Approach to Criminal Procedure is an indispensable resource for those working in this field.

The A Practical Approach series is the perfect partner for practice work. Each title focuses on one field of the law and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject together with clear, practical advice and tips on issues likely to arise in practice. The books are also an excellent resource for those new to the law, where the expert overview and clear layout promote ease of understanding.

John Sprack, Barrister; formerly Reader, Inns of Court Law School

John Sprack practised for a number of years as a barrister in the criminal courts. He taught Criminal Litigation at the Inns of Court School of Law (now City Law School) for 11 years, and was Director of its Bar Vocational Course and of the LLM in Criminal Litigation. He was one of the founding authors of Blackstone's Criminal Practice and now provides Continuous Professional Development courses for practising lawyers in Advocacy and Employment Law. He was an Employment Judge for 15 years.