summary and indictable offences

1. SUMMARY AND
INDICTABLE
OFFENCES

2.  Less serious offences
tried in Local Court by a
magistrate
 Judgement and
punishment determined
by a magistrate
 Charges laid by police
officer
 Punishment usually not
severe, eg: fine,
community service
 More serious offences
tried by a judge and a
jury
 Judgement is
determined by a jury;
punishment by a judge
 Charges laid by a
public prosecutor
 Punishment usually
imprisonment or large
fine
Summary Offences Indictable Offences

3. Examples
 Offensive language
 Custody or use of laser
pointer in public place
 Loitering by convicted child
sexual offenders near
premises frequented by
children
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/le
gis/nsw/consol_act/soa19881
89/
 Offences against the
person where victim 14
years of age or over
 Larceny and other
offences exceeding $5,000
 Offences relating to bomb
and other hoaxes
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/le
gis/nsw/consol_act/cpa19861
88/sch1.html
Summary Offences Indictable Offences