Magistrates Court - Criminal Jurisdiction

The majority of the Magistrates Court’s work is in the criminal jurisdiction.  The Magistrates Court has jurisdiction to hear all summary offence matters. Summary offences are ACT offences that carry a maximum sentence of two years or less, and Commonwealth offences with a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment.

The Magistrates Court’s jurisdiction is expanded in certain circumstances to hear more serious offences (indictable offences) where either the prosecution elects to have the offence heard summarily, or the defendant consents to the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court.  Further detail about the criminal jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court can be found in (link to Magistrates Court Act)