What do summary proceedings involve?

Summary proceedings are legal processes that typically involve minor criminal offenses handled in the lower courts, often referred to as magistrates' courts. In these proceedings, magistrates are responsible for both trying the case and determining the appropriate sentence if the defendant is found guilty. This is distinct from other types of legal proceedings, such as trials held before a jury, which are reserved for more serious offenses. Summary proceedings focus on efficiency and expediency in dealing with less severe criminal matters, allowing for quicker resolutions.

In summary, the essence of summary proceedings lies in the role of magistrates who manage both the trial and sentencing from start to finish, ensuring that relatively minor cases are processed effectively within the judicial system.