Magistrates Court
What happens in the Magistrates Court changes depending on how serious the offence is and how the defendant pleads. There are a number of steps involved.
The first mention date
The defendant’s first day in court is called the ‘mention’ date, which they must not miss.
Summary hearing
A summary hearing will open the same way as the mentions and the defendant can plead either guilty or not guilty.
Committal hearing
This is where the magistrate decides if there is sufficient evidence on which a jury could convict to send the defendant to trial in the District Court or Supreme Court.