Lesson 05

• Summary offences

  Minor criminal offences

  Heard before a Magistrate in a "hearing"

  No right to jury

  Summary Offences Act 1966
• Indictable offences

  Serious criminal offences

  Heard by a judge in County or Supreme court in a "trial"

  Crimes Act 1958
• Indictable heard 'sumarily'

  By imprisonent of 10 years or less

  A fine less than 1200 penalty units

  can be heard summarily in Magistrates Court
• WHY Indictable heard summarily?

  Quicker and cheaper than trial

  Maximum penalty is far less.

  BUT court must agree that offence is appropriate