police court
Minor offense tribunal
A police court is a lower court with limited jurisdiction, typically handling minor criminal offenses, violations of local ordinances, and preliminary hearings for more serious crimes.
Historically common in American and British legal systems, these courts provided quick resolution for petty crimes and could hold defendants for trial in higher courts.
The term is now largely replaced by municipal court or magistrate's court in most jurisdictions.
He was arraigned in police court for disorderly conduct.
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- tribunalJudicial decision-making body
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
- traffic violationsIllegal acts while driving
- traffic ticketCitation for driving infractions
disorderly conduct · testimony · defendant · public defender · misdemeanor · judicature · petty offenses · judgment · plaintiff · plea bargain · bench trials · subpoena · law · bailiff · contraventions · justice of the peace · penalty notice · fine payment
police courtSupreme Court
Nation's top tribunal
federal court · federal bench · appellate court · high court · court of appeals
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