NCJ Number
139748
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Statistics were analyzed on all criminal cases completed in Magistrates' Courts in Great Britain in one week in June to determine the average time taken to process them.
Abstract
The June 1992 survey showed that the average length of time from offense to completion of processing in the magistrates' courts was 148 days, 1 day longer than in June 1991. Between 1987 and 1991, the average annual increase was approximately 4 days. The time from first listing to completion of indictable offenses remained steady at 63 days. The percentage of summary non-motoring cases completed at first court appearance rose to 70 percent, an increase of 4 percent over 1991 figures, resulting in a 5-day reduction in case completion. There was an increase of 1 day in completion of summary motoring cases. The proportion of guilty pleas for summary motoring and non-motoring cases fell, while the number of cases tried in absentia rose. 5 figures, 5 tables, and 8 notes