i copied and pasted my notes on the court structure
it came out a bit retarded but u get the point yea
hope it helps
THE COURT STRUCTURE:
• Each court has its own: jurisdiction, procedure, level of formality
• JUSRISDITCTION :the extent of a court’s power/authority
• disputes referred according to:
1) Severity 2) Amount of money involved
• characteristics of a criminal case:
- case = prosecution
- sanction (punishment) imposed
- prosecution v defendant
- standard of proof: beyond reasonable doubt
- burden of proof: with the prosecution (the State, “the people”)
THE LOCAL COURT: (from Local Court Act 1982 NSW)
• magistrate
• summary offences and certain indictable ones (being heard summarily)
• COMMITTAL HEARINGS: establishes whether a prima facie case exists, it does 85% of the time
CHILDRENS COURT: (est. 1905, Children’s Court Act 1987 NSW)
• when < 18 (or <21 if offence committed when <18)
• some exceptions: homicide, serious sexual offences etc
• closed court
• aim for rehabilitation: Young Offenders Act 1997 NSW provides alternative methods of dispute resolution. Detention centre is a last resort
CORONERS COURT:
• has a magistrate (called a coroner)
• looks into deaths when:
- suspicious
- caused by violence
• looks into fires that damage property
DISTRICT COURT: (District Court Act 1975 NSW)
• Original jurisdiction: handles indictable offences (excl. murder, treason etc)
• judge
• appellate jurisdiction from some Local Court matters
SUPREME COURT:
• Chief Justice and junior judges
• Original jurisdiction: most serious crimes (E.g. murder, treason)
• Wide appellate jurisdiction
THE HIGH COURT:
• highest court of appeal in Australia (mainly from the Federal Court and State Supreme courts)
• leave of appeal must first be granted