Indictable offences are generally heard in which courts in NSW?

• A. In higher courts with a jury
• B. In the magistrates' court only
• C. In the coroners court
• D. The same as summary offences

Answer: (A)

Indictable offences are more serious crimes and are therefore heard in the higher courts where juries decide the verdict. In NSW, that means the District Court or the Supreme Court, with a jury present for the trial. The Magistrates’ Court handles the less serious, or summary, offences, and only a subset of indictable offences can be heard summarily if the court and parties agree. The Coroners Court deals with inquests into deaths, not criminal trials. So the general rule is that indictable offences are heard in higher courts with a jury.