

All matters start in the Local Court, also known as the Magistrates Court.

There are potentially three levels of courts that can hear criminal matters depending on the seriousness of the offence and the jurisdiction the matter is heard in. If during the brief assessment stage the CDPP decides that charges should be laid, an initiating process (such as a summons) will be sent to the defendant notifying them of the charge, and the date they are first required to attend court.

If charges have already been laid without the matter first being referred to the CDPP, the CDPP will consider whether that charge should be maintained and how the matter should proceed.
