Under
criminal law, indictable offences include criminal offences
that can attract serious
penalties including life imprisonment or many
years imprisonment. These can be referred to a
supreme or district court or magistrates court or other higher
court. After this the case proceeds to a trial hearing or to a
trial before a judge and jury where a defendant may plead
guilty.
Criminal charges are broadly categorised as indictable
offence or summary offences. Summary
charges include relatively petty charges such as disorderly
behaviour or minor offences related to damage to property.
On the other hand, more serious criminal offences are indictable
offences in NSW. The Supreme Court or District Court deals with
more serious offences. Whereas the Local Court hears matters that
are to do with summary offences.
