Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

This 1992 article discusses various strategies for correcting the "cracked trials" problem in British Crown Courts. "The term 'cracked trial' refers to the following phenomenon: in a criminal case committed to the Crown Court, a defendant may indicate at committal stage or shortly thereafter that he is pleading 'not guilty.' He may persist in this plea until the day scheduled for trial when, suddenly, he changes his mind and pleads guilty." This can cause numerous difficulties and delays in the criminal justice system.