| Matter | Which court? | Original or appellate? |
|---|---|---|
| A parking fine dispute | ||
| A common assault charge | ||
| A committal hearing for an indictable offence | ||
| An armed robbery trial | ||
| A manslaughter trial | ||
| A murder trial | ||
| A 15-year-old charged with break & enter | ||
| An appeal against a Local Court sentence | ||
| An appeal against a Supreme Court conviction | ||
| A bid to appeal to the nation's final court |
Cornered and being choked, Ari shoves the attacker away; the attacker falls and is fatally injured.
An armed gang threatens to kill Bela's family unless she drives their getaway car. She does. (What if the charge were murder?)
Caught in a sudden blizzard, Cass breaks into a locked cabin to avoid freezing to death.
Because of a serious mental health impairment, Dev did not understand that what he was doing was wrong.
After prolonged, serious violent provocation amounting to a serious indictable offence against her, Els kills her attacker.
Suffering an abnormality of mind from an underlying condition that substantially impaired his capacity, Finn kills.
| Description | Role |
|---|---|
| Presides in the Local Court with no jury; decides both guilt and sentence. | |
| Presides in the District/Supreme Court; rules on the law, directs the jury, and imposes the sentence. | |
| A trained NSW Police officer who prosecutes summary matters. | |
| An independent office that prosecutes serious indictable offences and decides the charges. | |
| A salaried barrister who defends the accused, usually on a grant of legal aid. | |
| Gives legal advice and prepares the case, mostly out of court. | |
| A specialist court advocate who examines witnesses and addresses the court. | |
| Twelve citizens who decide the verdict on the facts. |
| Role | Job in the trial |
|---|---|
| Judge | Runs the trial, rules on the law and on objections, directs the jury, would impose sentence. |
| Crown prosecutor (DPP) | Presents the case for the state; calls and examines prosecution witnesses; must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. |
| Defence barrister | Tests the prosecution case; cross-examines; presents any defence; need not prove innocence. |
| Accused | May give evidence (or stay silent — the right to silence); instructs the defence. |
| Witnesses (incl. one expert) | Take an oath/affirmation; give evidence; can be cross-examined. False evidence = perjury. |
| Jury (12) + foreperson | Weigh the evidence, apply the judge's directions, deliberate, and deliver the verdict. |
| Court officer / associate | Swears in witnesses and jurors; keeps order and the exhibits. |