CODE 1 Higher Court The criminal jurisdiction of an Intermediate Court or a Supreme Court. An Intermediate Court has legal powers that are between those of a Court of Summary Jurisdiction and the Supreme Court and deals with the majority of cases involving serious criminal offences. An Intermediate Court is presided over by a Judge, and has original jurisdiction to hear trial and sentence matters relating to most indictable offences. A Supreme Court deals with the most serious criminal charges and has the greatest legal power of all the state and territory court levels. In jurisdictions with an Intermediate Court, the Supreme Court is usually reserved to deal with the most serious indictable offences, such as murder. CODE 2 Magistrates’ Court Includes the adult criminal Magistrates’ Court and the Court of Petty Sessions and the New South Wales Local Court. Children’s Courts are not included in this category. CODE 3 Children’s Court Primarily a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, to hear and determine criminal charges against persons generally aged less than 18 years. The Children’s Court may also determine some minor indictable offences and conduct committal proceedings in relation to young people who have been charged with major indictable offences. CODE 4 Parole board or similar A panel of judges, magistrates and community members who are appointed to manage the appropriate release from or return to prison of offenders. CODE 88 Other Legal arrangements or orders issued by other officials or means not specified above (such as police). |