State Court Hierarchy

Question 1

What are the three state court systems?

Answer 1

• The state and territory superior courts
• The state intermediate courts
• The state lower courts

Question 2

Who hears and decides cases in a lower court?

Answer 2

A magistrate

Question 3

What is a committal/preliminary hearing?

Answer 3

When a magistrate will listen to a case involving an indictable offence to determine if the evidence against the defendant is strong enough to warrant a trial in a higher court.
(This is called establishing a prima facie case)

Question 4

What does the Local/Magistrate’s court deal with?

Answer 4

Minor criminal matters and minor civil disputes

Question 5

What does the Children’s court deal with?

Answer 5

Criminal and civil matters concerning young people under 18

Question 6

What courts come under the label of ‘state lower courts’?

Answer 6

• The local court
• The coroner’s court
• The children’s court
• The land and environment court

Question 7

What is a coronial inquest

Answer 7

An investigation into a death that has occurred in unusual circumstances. If foul play is confirmed to have been committed, the case is handed to a higher court.

Question 8

The State Intermediate Court is also known as….

Answer 8

The District Court

Question 9

What does the District Court deal with?

Answer 9

Serious criminal matters such as manslaughter, sexual assault, offences relating to fraud and robbery, large scale drug importation, and civil matters where the amount is below $750,000.

Question 10

What courts come under the label of ‘state and territory superior courts’

Answer 10

• Supreme court

- Court of Appeal & Criminal Appeal

Question 11

What courts come under the label of ‘state and territory superior courts’

Answer 11

• Supreme Court

- Court of Appeal & Criminal Appeal

Question 12

What does the Supreme Court deal with?

Answer 12

Murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, major conspiracy, profession negligence, defamation and major breaches of corporations law