Is when a trial judge orders a jury to acquit the accused because the prosecution has not proven its case?
IntroductionThis guidance advises as to the circumstances which may result in a re-trial of a defendant; the procedure for seeking a re-trial; including any factors for consideration by prosecutors; and the level of decision making required in certain circumstances. Show
Key Points
PrincipleA variety of circumstances may result in a defendant being re-tried. For example:
The decision to seek a re-trial will very much depend upon the public interest. Only cases involving significant public interest factors in favour of prosecution warrant a re-trial. Normally the CPS makes any application for a re-trial. However, the defence can request a re- trial in certain circumstances, including:
Failure of Jury to Agree on a VerdictThere is a presumption that the prosecution will seek a re-trial where a jury fails to agree on a verdict at the first trial. The following factors should be taken into account when considering a re-trial in these circumstances.
Where two juries fail to reach a verdict, the presumption is that the prosecution will not seek a third trial unless there are exceptional circumstances. Factors that might justify a third trial include:
The case of R v Bell [2010] EWCA Crim 3 involved an appeal against conviction for murder, following a third trial. It was argued on behalf of the appellant that the third trial amounted to an abuse of process. The conviction was upheld. The Lord Chief Justice however provided words of caution in relation to the use of re-trials: "... the jurisdiction which permits a second re-trial after two jury disagreements in circumstances like the present must be exercised with extreme caution. The broad public interest in the administration of criminal justice leads us to the clear view that a second re-trial should be confined to the very small number of cases in which the jury is being invited to address a crime of extreme gravity which has undoubtedly occurred (as here) and in which the evidence that the defendant committed a crime (again, as here), on any fair minded objective judgment remains very powerful." ProcedureIt is in the interests of justice that a decision to seek a re-trial should be taken as soon as possible and be communicated promptly to the court, the defendant and the police. It may be possible to foresee the likely verdict before the trial finishes. Prosecutors and caseworkers should be alert to this possibility. Wherever possible, consultation should take place and a decision reached (subject to any views expressed by the judge) before the jury returns. In other circumstances, prosecuting advocates should be instructed to seek an adjournment to allow the necessary consideration of the case to take place. The appropriate length of the adjournment to be sought is;
A decision should be made by the adjourned hearing date. If the application for an adjournment is refused, prosecuting advocates should request a re-trial. It should be made clear to the court and the defence that the decision will be subject to review. When the prosecution is obliged to request a re-trial without the opportunity of fully considering the case, a review of the decision should be made promptly by the Unit Head upon the criteria previously set out. That review should be completed within 14 days if the defendant is on bail, or 7 days if the defendant is in custody. Levels of decision makingThe question of whether to seek a re-trial should be referred to the Unit Head or Head of Division. Any question of a second re-trial should be referred for a decision by the Chief Crown Prosecutor. Failure of Magistrates to Agree on a VerdictGenerally, magistrates are obliged to reach a verdict. Where possible, an uneven number of justices should sit to adjudicate so that any question of failure to agree should not arise. However, if a trial is heard before an even number of magistrates, there is a possibility that they will be equally divided about the verdict. In such circumstances, the court of its own motion should adjourn the case for re-hearing by another bench of magistrates. The reviewing lawyer should confirm that it is appropriate to allow the case to proceed to a re-trial. Review should take into account the factors listed above where a jury fails to agree on a verdict. ProcedureThe further review of the case should be completed within 14 days of the end of the original trial, or 7 days if the defendant is in custody. Re-trial Ordered by the Court of AppealWhere the Court of Appeal allows an appeal against conviction, it may order the appellant to be re-tried. Section 7 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 provides that the court determines whether a successful appellant should be re-tried on a fresh indictment preferred by direction of the court. The court should consider this option of its own motion. However, in cases where the court appears not to be considering ordering a re-trial and there are clear grounds for submitting that the interests of justice would be best served by a re-trial, it may be appropriate to ask the court to consider ordering a re-trial. Circumstances in which an appellant may be re-triedThe appellant may only be re-tried for:
Procedures for dealing with re-trials ordered by the Court of Appeal are set out below. ProcedureWhere the Court of Appeal orders a re-trial, the defendant must be arraigned within 2 months of the order unless the Court of Appeal gives leave. The CPS must ensure that the arraignment takes place within 2 months, and that the court knows that this is the case. If a defendant has not been arraigned within 2 months they may apply to the Court of Appeal to set aside the order for the re-trial, and for a direction that the Court of Appeal enter a verdict of acquittal. The Court of Appeal may grant leave for arraignment outside 2 months if:
Re-trial Following a Tainted AcquittalSections 54 - 57 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA 1996) enable the High Court to make an order quashing an acquittal in circumstances where the acquittal resulted from interference with, or intimidation of, a juror or witness (or potential witness). In such circumstances, an acquitted person can be re-tried for the original offence. An application to quash an acquittal may only be made when:
"Administration of justice" offences for these purposes are:
Under section 54(3) and section 55 CPIA 1996, where a court provides a certificate of tainted acquittal, an application may be made to the High Court for an order quashing the acquittal. The High Court will make an order if:
Note: These provisions only apply in relation to acquittals in respect of offences alleged to have been committed on or after 15 April 1997. Certification of tainted acquittalA certification of tainted acquittal by either a magistrates' court or the Crown Court shall be made at any time following conviction, but no later than immediately after the court sentences or otherwise deals with the convicted person. A prosecutor in the magistrates' court or prosecuting advocate in the Crown Court should therefore at that time be in a position to remind the court of its powers and to otherwise assist with information in relation to the original case. This should include the name and address of the original prosecutor and of the acquitted defendant. Levels of decision makingThe decision to seek "certification" should be referred to the Chief Crown Prosecutor or Head of Division. TimingOnce the court has "certified" in accordance with section 54(2) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, the prosecution may apply for the acquittal to be quashed. Applications must be made within 28 days of expiry of the period allowed for giving notice of appeal or for the determination of an appeal in respect of the administration of justice offence. Application to the High CourtA prosecutor makes an application for an order quashing an acquittal to the High Court, by way of an originating motion that shall be issued out of the Crown Office. The application shall be accompanied by:
As to the procedure for obtaining the quashing of an acquittal under section 54(3) CPIA 1996, see part 27 Criminal Procedures Rules. Strict time limits apply in relation to the application to the High Court, as imposed by Order 116 of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1965. The acquitted person should be charged for the original offence, which should be proceeded with as though it is a fresh charge. Re-trial under Part 10, Criminal Justice Act 2003Part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 reforms the law relating to double jeopardy. It allows re- trials in respect of a number of very serious offences, where new and compelling evidence has come to light. Part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 applies where a person has been acquitted of a qualifying offence on conviction in England and Wales, on appeal against a conviction, verdict or finding in proceedings on indictment in England and Wales, or on appeal from a decision on such an appeal. Refer to Retrial of Serious Offences Legal Guidance elsewhere in the Legal Guidance. ProcedureApplication for re-trial of serious offences under section 76(3) of the Criminal justice Act 2003 (double jeopardy case) should be referred to the Appeals and Review Unit, Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division. The Consent of the DPPWhere Part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 requires the consent of the DPP, it must be given personally in writing by the DPP (i.e. not by the prosecutor on the DPP's behalf). Such personal consent is required in two circumstances:
The list of "qualifying offences" is in Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003. All requests should be submitted to the Director of Legal Services with the approval of the Chief Crown Prosecutor. Refer to 'DPP's Personal Consent' et seq Retrial of Serious Offences Legal Guidance. Custody Time Limits: Cessation on Re-trialIn the Crown Court, custody time limits cease to apply once a jury is sworn in. If the trial is subsequently aborted, custody time limits do not apply to the period between that trial and a re- trial: R v Crown Court at Leeds, ex parte Whitehead [1999] EWHC Admin 557. In ex parte Whitehead Auld LJ said that in the event of a trial aborting, the trial judge could, and should, be vigilant to protect the interests of the accused in custody by taking steps to fix a speedy re-trial or, if there were difficulties with that, by considering the grant of bail or even staying the prosecution as an abuse of process. What is a guilty verdict?The verdict
If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty by the judge or jury, they are convicted and the judge will pass sentence.
Can a judge overrule a jury?No. Once a verdict has been rendered, either guilty or not guilty, the judge cannot overrule the jury.
Why does the prosecution sit closest to the jury?Additionally, in most courtrooms, the witness seat is also closest to jury. Because the most common arrangement is for the witness's seat to also be closest to the jury, most often in criminal cases this means that the prosecutor sits directly across from and facing the witness.
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