A police court is a court of law typically held by a magistrate or other judicial officer to hear cases involving minor criminal offenses or disputes between two parties. Police courts usually have jurisdiction over municipal ordinance violations, traffic violations, and criminal homicides. Defendants often have the right to a trial by jury. Police courts also handle summary judgments, which are when a judge makes a decision on the merits of the case without a trial.
Modern Examples of Police Court
In the modern world, most police court proceedings are conducted within a local courthouse or police station by a lawyer or public defender. For examples of police court proceedings, one need only look to recent news coverage to gain an understanding of what cases can be heard. In Los Angeles, police court proceedings are held to address minor infractions of the law, such as driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and petty theft. It is also possible to find examples of police court proceedings occurring in other states and countries.
Conclusion
In sum, police court is a court of law that deals with minor criminal offenses, disputes between two parties, and summary judgments. Today’s police courts can be found in local courthouses and police stations all over the world, and are used to address a wide variety of offenses, ranging from minor infractions to more serious crimes.