The Magistrates Court deals with adults, aged 18 or over, required to appear in court after being charged with a criminal offence.
Minor criminal offences, known as 'simple offences', are dealt with in the Magistrates Court. More serious offences, known as 'indictable offences', begin in the Magistrates Court. While some of these serious offences (known as 'either way' offences) may be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, the most serious offences must be sent on to be heard in the District or Supreme courts.
Divisions have been created within the Magistrates Court to deal with specific classes of offences and offenders, such as drug and family violence matters. These divisions have greater flexibility to introduce innovative procedures and sentencing.
Other useful websites include Legal Aid, Western Australia Police and the Department for Communities.
Fact sheets
37. Contempt of court
41. Summoning a witness in a criminal case
42. Cross examination by an accused
43. Spent conviction at the time of conviction
44. Application to set aside a court decision
45. Review of a Court Officer's Decision
Forms
Form 3 - Prosecution notice
Form 3 - Prosecution notice
Form 4 - Summons to the accused
Form 4 - Summons to the accused
Form 5 - Court hearing notice
Form 5 - Court hearing notice
Form 6 - Application in a prosecution
Form 6 - Application in a prosecution
Form 7 - Application to set aside decision
Form 7 - Application to set aside decision
Form 8 - Request person in custody be present to give evidence
Form 8 - Request person in custody be present to give evidence
Form 9 - Application for witness summons
Form 9 - Application for witness summons
Form 10 - Witness summons to give evidence
Form 10 - Witness summons to give evidence
Form 11 - Witness summons to produce a record or thing
Form 11 - Witness summons to produce a record or thing
Form 14 - Application for review of court officer's decision
Form 14 - application for review of court officer's decision
Application for administrative committal
Application for administrative committal
Approved notice that the accused does or does not have a criminal record
Approved notice of the prosecution's intent to tender an accused's criminal record
Approved notice of the prosecution's intent to tender an accused's criminal record
General Form of Affidavit
General Form of Affidavit
Notice of the existence or non existence of confessional material
Notice of adjournment - No appearance by either party but plea received
Notice to attend court (Children's Court)
Request for administrative committal
Request for administrative committal
