1.3.4 criminal jurisdictions in victorian courts

• jurisdiction refers to the right or power of a court to apply the law and hear cases
• original jurisdiction refers to the power a court has to hear a case for the first time (case has not been appealed)
• appellate jurisdiction refers to the power a court has to hear a case on appeal (case has been appealed)
• magistrates court original jurisdiction

  • summary offences
  • indictable offences heard summarily
• magistrates court appellate jurisdiction

  • none
• county court original jurisdiction

  • indictable offences except murder
• county court appellate jurisdiction

  • from magistrates
• Supreme Court trial division original jurisdiction

  • serious indictable offences (murder, treason)
• Supreme Court trial division appellate jurisdiction

  • from magistrates court
• Supreme Court of appeal original jurisdiction

  • none
• Supreme Court of appeal appellate jurisdiction

  • appeals from county and supreme court
  • from magistrates
• children's court original jurisdiction

  • offences committed by children 10-17 (except murder)
• children's court appellate jurisdiction

  • none
• coroners court original jurisdiction

  • investigation of death and fires
• coroners court appellate jurisdiction

  • none