What is a Summons?

If the police do not charge you with a criminal offence then, when their investigation is finished, they may report the case to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) where a decision will be made whether to prosecute you for the offence. Alternatively, a decision may be made for police to administer a Formal Caution or Informed Warning. If you are under 18, your case may be referred to the Youth Justice Agency for them to consider whether youth conferencing is appropriate in your case.

If, however, the offence is a particularly serious one, a further decision will be made by the PPS whether to bring the case before the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. The Crown Court is where the most serious cases are brought and the cases are heard by a judge sitting at the front wearing robes and a wig.

The Magistrates’ Court is not as formal and the Magistrate wears ordinary clothes. If the accused is a child or young person, then the case will heard by a Youth Court which usually consists of a panel of three people.

If the PPS decide not to prosecute you, then you will be told that no further action will be taken against you. However, if a decision is made to prosecute you in the Magistrates or Youth Court, then a summons may be sent to you either by post or served upon you by a police officer requiring you to turn up at court at a certain time and date.

If you do not turn up for your hearing, the Magistrate may issue a warrant to police to find and arrest you and have you brought to court.