Editing Indictable offence (section)

===Offences triable only on indictment===
Some offences such as [[murder]] and [[rape]] are considered so serious that they can only be tried on indictment at the Crown Court where the widest range of sentencing powers is available to the [[judge]].

The expression ''indictable-only offence'' was defined by section 51 of the [[Crime and Disorder Act 1998]], as originally enacted, as an offence triable only on indictment. Sections 51 and 52 of, and Schedule 3 to, that Act abolished [[Committal procedure|committal proceedings]] for such offences and made other provisions in relation to them.

When the accused is charged with an indictable-only offence, he or she will be tried in the Crown Court. The rules are different in England and Wales in respect of those under 18 years of age.

See also section 14(a) of the [[Criminal Law Act 1977]].