Download Understanding Defendant & Prosecutor's Elections in QLD, Australia: Summary Dealing and more Slides Criminal Law in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter 4 Indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily Chapter 4—Indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily | 45Legal Aid Queensland – Criminal Law Duty Lawyer Handbook Chapter 4—Indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily A . Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4-1–4-3) B . The defendant’s election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4-4–4-6) C . The prosecutor’s election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4-7) D . Matters for which there are no elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(4-8) E . Overriding discretion of magistrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(4-9–4-10) F . Appellate jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4-11) A . Introduction 4-1 What is an indictable offence? Under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld), there are criminal offences and regulatory offences. Criminal offences are crimes, misdemeanours and simple offences (s 3). Crimes and misdemeanours are indictable offences and cannot be dealt with summarily unless expressly stated in s 552 of the Criminal Code. A simple offence can be dealt with summarily. Regulatory offences can only be dealt with summarily. 4-2 Who can elect summary jurisdiction? Sections 552A and 552B of the Criminal Code set out the indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily. There are no matters that can be dealt with summarily at the magistrate’s election. The Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (Qld) sets out the matters that can be dealt with summarily at the prosecutor’s election. 4-3 Summary jurisdiction—time There are no time limits on when prosecution for an indictable offence must commence for it to be dealt with summarily. B . The defendant’s election 4-4 Defendant’s election under the Criminal Code Section 552B of the Criminal Code refers to indictable offences that must be heard and decided summarily unless the defendant elects for jury trial. Your client will be able to choose whether to have a trial before a magistrate, or be committed for trial to the higher courts. All specific sections are listed. 4-5 Magistrate to advise as to right of election Section 552I of the Criminal Code applies to all offences under s 552B. If the defendant is not legally represented, the magistrate must state the substance of the charge, and explain to the defendant that they are entitled to be tried
