Chapter 7 Self-test questions

Can magistrates grant bail to a defendant accused of murder?

No, only a Crown court judge can do this

Yes, if the surety arrangement satisfies the magistrates

Yes, but only if the defendant has no previous conviction for violence

No, because no court can grant bail in a murder case

What is a 'evidence-in-chief?

The evidence offered by a chief witness

The written evidence the court presents at trial

The evidence put forth by both the prosecutor and defendant at trial

The main evidence a witness gives before being cross-examined

A defendant is convicted of two offences, and is sentenced to 3 months jail for one offence and 6 months for the other, with these sentences to be concurrent. In these circumstances, what is the total length of time to which he/she has been sentenced?

9 months

3 months

6 months

Four-and-a-half months

If a court gives a defendant an absolute discharge, what does this mean?

The defendant has been acquitted because there is insufficient evidence

The defendant has been granted unconditional bail because the trial has been delayed

The defendant has been convicted but will not be punished for that offence unless he/she commits a further offence

The defendant has been convicted but the court did not consider that punishment should be imposed