2.0 - What Happens at Court?

"Going To Court"

The Role of the Courts

When it is alleged that an offence is committed, Queensland police will investigate the matter.

The investigator's role is to work out if there is enough evidence to charge someone with breaking the law. The person charged with the offence is called the defendant or the accused.

The role of the Queensland courts is to decide if the defendant is guilty of the charges and if so, what the penalty will be.

The Courts System

Below is a brief outline of Queensland’s courts.

The Supreme Court of [removed][removed] Queensland is the state's highest court. It hears the most serious criminal cases, including murder and serious drug offences. It also hears civil matters involving amounts of more than $250,000. The Supreme Court also includes the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from the Supreme, the District Court and from many of Queensland's tribunals.

The District Court of Queensland is the state's intermediate court. It hears serious criminal cases involving offences such as armed robbery and rape. The District Court also hears civil matters involving amounts between $50,000 and $250,000.

The Magistrates Court of Queensland is the state's lowest level court. It deals with less serious offences such as traffic infringements and burglary. The Magistrates Court also hears civil matters involving amounts of less than $50,000.

The Childrens Court of Queensland is a special District Court that deals with serious cases involving defendants under 17 years of age. The Childrens court is a specially constituted Magistrates Court that deals with simple offences where the defendant is under 17 years of age.

The Murri Court, part of the Magistrates Court, sentences indigenous offenders who plead guilty to minor criminal offences.

The Drug Court, part of the Magistrates Court, sentences people who have pleaded guilty to certain drug-related offences.