2.5 distinction between offences

• Summary offences are minor criminal offences generally heard in the Magistrates’ Court before a single Magistrate. 
• summary offences


  Many of these are contained in legislation such as the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic). 
• summary offences


  Due to their minor nature, they can proceed and be heard even if the accused is not there. 
• summary offences

  • They are usually considered to be less serious offences:​
  • E.g. drink-driving, speeding, graffiti. 
• summary offence


  When charged with a summary offence, a person will receive a summons informing them of where the case will be heard and the mention date. 
• Indictable offences are serious criminal offences tried before a judge (and jury if the accused pleads not guilty) in the County Court or Supreme Court of Victoria.  
• indictable offences


  Most are contained in the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
• indictable offences 


  These offences must have a committal hearing in the Magistrates court before to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. 
• indictable offences


  If there is sufficient evidence to support a conviction, the case will be sent to trial in the county court
• • Indictable offences are more serious offences and cannot be heard without the accused being present. ​
  • E.g. murder, manslaughter, aggravated burglary, sexual assault. 
• indictable offences


  Failure to attend may result in the court issuing a warrant to arrest. 
• indictable offences tried summarily are less serious indictable offences which the law allows to be heard summarily i.e. like a summary offence.  ​
• indictable offences tried summarily classed as indictable but are less serious in nature. 
• Indictable offences tried summarily


  The court must permit the offence to be heard summarily and the accused must agree. 
• indictable offences tried summarily


  Accused people usually choose to have the offence heard summarily because a summary hearing is quicker and cheaper than a trial. 
• indictable offences tried summarily

  The maximum term of imprisonment is capped at 2 years in the Magistrate’s Court.