What happens after both prosecution and defence have presented all their evidence and have examined and cross-examined witnesses?
Each lawyer will have an opportunity to make submissions to the court, which are summaries of their side of the case and any legal arguments. The judge or the jury will decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty. If the accused is found guilty, a conviction will usually be registered against the accused and the judge may proceed to sentence the accused, unless the Crown prosecutor or the defence lawyer wish time to present submissions to the court concerning sentence, or the judge may wish the accused to be assessed for medical, psychological or sociological information to be considered by the court. Except in certain circumstances where the court feels it may be appropriate to release an accused awaiting sentence the convicted offender will usually be remanded in custody and called back into court on a weekly basis until the court feels any submissions have been made or could have been made and any assessments of the accused which were ordered have been done.
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