The Devil is in the Detail - Common Pitfalls in Criminal Practice

Introduction

Busy criminal practitioners can sometimes take things for granted, simply because of the demands of the job. Whether you are prosecuting, defending, acting as a legal adviser or sitting as a judge, mistakes can happen. Correcting them takes time, and there may be no legal aid fee to cover the work involved. More importantly, errors can lead to injustice for the ordinary people we work with. And, of course, nobody wants to be caught out in court.

These problems are not confined to the Magistrates’ Courts. The Court of Appeal regularly has to put right errors made in the Crown Court.

This new virtual classroom seminar explores a range of common pitfalls in criminal practice in both jurisdictions. Whether you prosecute, defend or do both, it will help you avoid errors in your own practice, spot and respond to mistakes made by your opponent, and prevent the court from making errors of its own.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• What is the limitation period for prosecuting driving whilst disqualified?
• Which offence is excluded from the two-strike knife provisions?
• Which UK knife convictions do not count towards the two-strike rule?
• Can private land constitute a ‘highway’?
• Which categories of hearsay do not require leave from the court?
• What are the consequences of failing to respond to a hearsay application within the time limit?
• Whose consent is required to prosecute theft between spouses or civil partners?
• Can a PNC printout prove bad character?
• What is the minimum custodial sentence that can be suspended for an adult?
• Why is Pritchard not the correct test for fitness to plead in the Magistrates’ Court?
• Can all motoring offences be committed for sentence when linked to either-way offences?

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.