Court Report
Court Report
1. Which court did you attend and what was the date of your attendance? 2. What kind of hearing did you attend?
I attended a sentencing in Beenleigh district court, before the sentencing there were a string of mentions that I also watched to deepen my understanding of the courtroom and the roles of the people there.
3. What were the charges against the defendant? Were these summary or indictable offences? How did you know this?
The defendant was charged with three indictable offences. These included two counts of burglary and stealing (s419 (4)) and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle (s408A (1) (a)). I knew that they were indictable offences because the charges were heard in a district court and were punishable by a prison term not just a fine or community service (Perrone, S. & White, R.
2005).
4. Who was present in the courtroom? Identify the positions of all the people present and give a brief description of their role
and what you observed them do in the courtroom during your visit. In the court room there were many different people playing their particular roles. The Judge presides over the case and in the adversarial system is seen to be a neutral umpire. The Judge also determines the sentence based on the cases of both the defence and the crown. (Findlay, M., Odgers. S. & Yeo. S.
2005). The bailiff‟s role was to keep order to the court and proceedings, they conveyed papers and other evidence from the Barrister‟s to the Judge‟s
Associate or Judge himself, they also administer the oath for any witnesses, say the pledge when the judge arrives and departs and also begins and concludes all sessions. The Judge‟s Associate is like a secretary, she/he sits in front of and below the Judge; he/she reads out the charges and takes the plea; they also amend all documents with the Judge‟s instruction.
The crown prosecutor pleas the case against the defendant on behalf of
Regina (the queen) or the
1. Which court did you attend and what was the date of your attendance? 2. What kind of hearing did you attend?
I attended a sentencing in Beenleigh district court, before the sentencing there were a string of mentions that I also watched to deepen my understanding of the courtroom and the roles of the people there.
3. What were the charges against the defendant? Were these summary or indictable offences? How did you know this?
The defendant was charged with three indictable offences. These included two counts of burglary and stealing (s419 (4)) and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle (s408A (1) (a)). I knew that they were indictable offences because the charges were heard in a district court and were punishable by a prison term not just a fine or community service (Perrone, S. & White, R.
2005).
4. Who was present in the courtroom? Identify the positions of all the people present and give a brief description of their role
and what you observed them do in the courtroom during your visit. In the court room there were many different people playing their particular roles. The Judge presides over the case and in the adversarial system is seen to be a neutral umpire. The Judge also determines the sentence based on the cases of both the defence and the crown. (Findlay, M., Odgers. S. & Yeo. S.
2005). The bailiff‟s role was to keep order to the court and proceedings, they conveyed papers and other evidence from the Barrister‟s to the Judge‟s
Associate or Judge himself, they also administer the oath for any witnesses, say the pledge when the judge arrives and departs and also begins and concludes all sessions. The Judge‟s Associate is like a secretary, she/he sits in front of and below the Judge; he/she reads out the charges and takes the plea; they also amend all documents with the Judge‟s instruction.
The crown prosecutor pleas the case against the defendant on behalf of
Regina (the queen) or the