Which type of offences does the Magistrates' Court primarily handle?

The Magistrates' Court primarily deals with summary offences, which are typically less serious violations of the law. Summary offences are generally handled more swiftly and without the need for a jury, allowing for quicker resolutions of cases. These may include minor criminal matters such as petty theft, traffic violations, and minor assaults.

In the legal system, summary offences are distinct from serious indictable offences, which require trial by a higher court due to their severity. Felonies and infractions are terms primarily used in certain jurisdictions, but they also reflect more serious crimes or trivial violations that may not align directly with the types of cases processed in the Magistrates' Court. Thus, the focus on summary offences illustrates the role of the Magistrates’ Court in managing cases that are comparatively straightforward and do not involve the more complex legal procedures that accompany serious offences.