Committal hearing

The magistrate's role is to decide if there is sufficient evidence on which a jury could convict to send the defendant to trial in the District Court or Supreme Court.

• the prosecutor will present the case against the defendant and call witnesses to obtain their evidence
• the defence lawyer or defendant may cross-examine these witnesses
• the magistrate may invite submissions
• after hearing all the evidence the magistrate will decide if there is sufficient evidence to put the defendant on trial
• if satisfied the magistrate will charge the defendant
• the magistrate will warn the defendant and then ask the defendant if they want to say anything in answer to the charge or enter a plea
• if they plead not guilty, the defendant is committed for trial in the District Court or Supreme Court
• if they plead guilty, the defendant is committed for sentencing
• if there is not enough evidence the magistrate will dismiss the case.