About North Staffordshire Justice Centre
North Staffordshire Justice Centre is at The Court House, Ryecroft, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 2AA. The building has interview rooms, video link facilities, a witness service, disabled access and a hearing loop. We arrive early to take your instructions, review the prosecution papers and speak to the prosecutor before your case is called. The North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme is the magistrates’ court for the north of the county, including Stoke-on-Trent.
What happens at the magistrates’ court
Almost every criminal case starts in the magistrates’ court. At the first hearing you are asked to plead or indicate a plea. Summary-only offences stay in the magistrates’ court. Either-way offences may stay or be sent to the Crown Court, and indictable-only offences are sent straight there. If you plead not guilty, the court fixes a trial date and sets deadlines for both sides. Get advice before the first hearing, because the plea and the choice of court can be hard to change later.
How we help at court
We prepare before the hearing, take your instructions at court, apply for bail where it is needed, negotiate with the prosecution and present your case or mitigation. Where a barrister is needed, we instruct one we trust and stay involved from start to finish. If your case starts with a police investigation, we can act from the police station onwards.