magistrates court
Minor cases venue
A magistrates court is a lower court that handles minor criminal offenses and preliminary hearings for more serious cases.
In the UK and countries with similar legal systems, magistrates courts are presided over by magistrates—judges who may be legally trained professionals or lay volunteers from the community.
The case was heard in magistrates court before being referred to Crown Court.
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- witnessOne who attests
- judgeOne who decides
- chargeCost or accusation
- benchShared seating surface
jurisdiction · traffic violation · misdemeanor · bailiff · public nuisance · defendant · sentencing · fine payment · case dismissed · plea · guilty plea · not guilty · petty theft · summons · shoplifting · prosecutor · arraignment · dock
magistrates courtSupreme Court
Nation's top tribunal
High Court · Crown Court · appellate court · superior court · federal court
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