Access to Justice

Queensland District and Magistrate Court - Charleville

The District Court deals with serious criminal offences such as rape, armed robbery and fraud. Juries are used to decide if defendants are guilty or not guilty. This court also hears appeals from cases decided in the Magistrates Court and disputes involving amounts of more than $150,000 but less than $750,000. A jury may be used to decide these financial disputes. The judges of the District Court also sit in the: - Planning and Environment Court which hears disputes over land, such as objections to rezoning and subdivisions - Children's Court of Queensland which deals with cases where the accused (or defendant) is under the age of seventeen.

The Magistrates Court is the first level of the Queensland Courts system. Most criminal cases are first heard, in some form, in this court. Most civil actions are also heard here.

A person charged with a criminal offence must be brought before the Magistrates Court as a soon as possible after the charge is laid. The magistrate, who presides over the court, will decide whether there is enough evidence for the person to face trial and, if so, which court should hear the case. The magistrate may commit the case to the District or Supreme Court depending on the seriousness of the offence.

The Magistrates Court can deal with less serious offences (summary offences) such as traffic infringements, minor offences such as shoplifting or disorderly behaviour, and less serious offences involving burglary, assault, fraud and drugs.

Civil cases can be dealt with by the Magistrates Court if the amount in dispute is $150,000 or less. If the amount is greater than $150,000, the District or Supreme Court will deal with the case