Crime topic III: Criminal Trial Process

Question 1

Lower courts

Answer 1

• Local Court of NSW has original jurisdiction
• jurisdiction to heard civil matters of up to $10,000, summary offences
• conducts committal proceedings to determine prima facie for indictable cases
• can hear indictable cases that are summarily triable

Question 2

Coroners Court

Answer 2

• Local court that deals with the manner and cause of persons death
• fires and explosions where property has been damaged/person injured
• Coroners Act 2009 (NSW)

Question 3

Committal proceedings

Answer 3

magistrate determines if there is enough evidence for a case to proceed to trial in a higher court

Question 4

Role of a coroner

Answer 4

To Ascertain the deceased persons identity, and the place, manner, and medical cause of death.

Question 5

Coronial inquest

Answer 5

Court hearding where a coroner looks at info to help determine the manner and cause of death.

Question 6

Childrens Court

Answer 6

• established under the Childrens Court Act 1987 (NSW)
• deals with cases about the care and protection of children referred by Department of Family and Community Services
• and criminal matters concerning children who were 18y.o at time of offence
• closed court, public prohibited
• precided by magistrate, has no jury
• magistrates have special training to deal with children

Question 7

Childrens Court Clinic

Answer 7

• arm of the Childrens Court
• Childrens Court Act 1987 (NSW)
• makes clinincal assessments of children and submit reports to the court
• the report takes in all factors of a child’s life and it given to the court after guilt but before sentencing