Courts, police and young people
Two people describe the same night differently. The justice system exists to decide, fairly and in public, whose account the evidence supports.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
Key learning points
- • What the police can and cannot do
- • Charging and the burden of proof
- • Which court, and why
- • Young people in the system
This lesson at a glance
- 30 minutes
- 25 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 25
Visual introductionPicture this
Courts, police and young people
Two people describe the same night differently. The justice system exists to decide, fairly and in public, whose account the evidence supports.
In a nutshell
Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
What you already know
Part 2 of 25
Before we start
What you already know
You should already know that laws are made by Parliament and that the police investigate crime.
Key words
Part 3 of 25
Key words
Words you'll need today
- Magistrates' court
- The court where most criminal cases begin and finish.
- Crown Court
- Where serious criminal cases are tried before a judge and jury.
- Burden of proof
- The duty to prove a case — in criminal law, on the prosecution.
- Tribunal
- A specialist panel that decides disputes such as employment or benefits.
- Youth court
- A magistrates' court adapted for defendants aged 10 to 17.
Reset break
Part 4 of 25
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 6 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 5 of 25
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Investigation and charge
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 6 of 25
Learn
What the police can and cannot do
Police powers are limited by law: stop and search needs reasonable grounds, arrest needs suspicion of an offence, and detention has time limits. Those limits are not obstacles to justice — they are what stops the state acting on suspicion alone.
Explore the idea
Part 7 of 25
Learn
Charging and the burden of proof
Prosecutors decide whether there is enough evidence and whether prosecution is in the public interest. In a criminal trial the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; the defendant does not have to prove innocence.
Reset break
Part 8 of 25
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 6 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 9 of 25
Quick check
Part 10 of 25
Learning cycle
Part 11 of 25
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Courts, tribunals and young defendants
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Reset break
Part 12 of 25
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 6 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 13 of 25
Learn
Which court, and why
Around nine in ten criminal cases are handled by magistrates, who are unpaid volunteers advised on law by a legal adviser. Serious cases go to the Crown Court, where a jury of twelve decides the facts and the judge rules on law and sentence. Civil disputes are separate, and tribunals handle specialist areas like employment.
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 25
Learn
Young people in the system
The age of criminal responsibility in England is ten. Youth courts sit without a public gallery, avoid legal wigs and formal language, and focus on preventing reoffending. Sentences favour referral orders and rehabilitation over custody.
Quick check
Part 15 of 25
Reset break
Part 16 of 25
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 6 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 17 of 25
Common mix-ups
Part 18 of 25
Common mix-ups
Things people often get wrong
- The police do not decide guilt; courts do.
- Juries sit in the Crown Court, not in magistrates' or youth courts.
- Civil cases use the balance of probabilities, not 'beyond reasonable doubt'.
Challenge round
Part 19 of 25
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 20 of 25
Pause
That's sitting 5 of 6 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 21 of 25
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ powers are limited by law: stop and search needs reasonable grounds, arrest needs suspicion of an offence, and detention has time limits.
Those limits are not obstacles to ____ — they are what stops the state acting on suspicion alone.
Challenge round
Part 22 of 25
Game · Recall cards
In a criminal trial the burden of proof is on...
Card 1 of 4
Exit quiz
Part 23 of 25
Exit quiz
Show what you've learned
6 questions, marked together at the end. Nothing is timed.
1. Stop and search requires...
2. Most criminal cases are dealt with by...
3. Age of criminal responsibility in England is...
4. Civil cases are decided on...
5. Magistrates are...
6. Prosecutors consider evidence and...
Mastery quiz
Part 24 of 25
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Courts, police and young people
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. In a criminal trial the burden of proof is on...
2. Juries decide facts in the...
3. Youth courts differ because they...
4. A tribunal typically handles...
Lesson round-up
Part 25 of 25
Lesson round-up
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 25 · Watch & discover