Courts of Summary Jurisdiction (commonly referred to as Summary Courts)
Most criminal cases are dealt with by the High Bailiff, Deputy High Bailiff or Justices of the Peace, either in a court of summary jurisdiction dealing with adults, or in a juvenile court. The juvenile courts are usually dealt with by Justices of the Peace.
The High Bailiff and Deputy High Bailiff sit alone, Justices of the Peace sit as a panel of (usually) 3, supported by a legally qualified Court Clerk, this is commonly referred to as a Magistrates Court.
The work involves, amongst other things:-
- deciding on applications for bail;
- remands in custody; and
- whether a defendant is guilty or not and passing sentence as appropriate.
For a single criminal offence committed by an adult, the Summary Courts sentencing powers include:-
- the imposition of fines;
- community service orders;
- probation orders; or
- suspended sentences or custody up to the summary limit (a maximum of 12 months).
For offences that carry higher sentencing powers than these, the cases start off in the Summary Courts but are then committed to a Higher Court (the Court of General Gaol Delivery) to be heard.