Court Hierarchy Flashcards
Magistrates court
At the bottom of the hierarchy
Criminal Jurisdiction in Magistrates
Hears less serious matters, like traffic offenses, minor assaults, and property damage. Serious matters may be heard and decided if the accused agrees.
Civil Jurisdiction Magistrates
Civil Matters include negligence claims, contract disputes. Up to $100,000 in damages for civil cases.
County court of Australia.
2nd to bottom
Criminal Jurisdiction County.
Hears more serious matters, such as culpable driving and armed robbery.
Civil Jurisdiction County
Unlimited amounts of damage, over $100,000 for civil cases.
Appellate Jurisdiction.
Hears appeals about against conviction and sentence.
Supreme court.
2nd highest
Criminal Jurisdiction Supreme
Hears very serious matters such as, murder, manslaughter and attempted murder.
Civil Jurisdiction Supreme
Unlimited amount in damages over $100,000 for civil cases.
Supreme court - Court of Appeal.
Hears appeals about the decisions made in County and Trial Division Court. 3 judges may hear these cases - the ‘judges of appeal.’ This court decides any errors.
Children’s court
Court with special functions.
Criminal Jurisdiction (Children)
Hears all charges besides offence which result in death or attempted murder. This child must be between 10-19 when they commit the offence.
Coroners Court
State court with special functions.
Investigates deaths that happened unexpectedly, if a body can’t be identified or if the reason for death is unknown. They try to find out what the reason or cause of death is, and how to prevent this from happening in the future.
High court of Australia.
Constitutional matters such as interception of the constitution. Consists of 7 justices. -copyright -family law -tax law
