NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

What type of trial does the single justice procedure primarily focus on?

1. Complex criminal trials

2. Summary offences

3. Major felonies

4. Juvenile cases

The correct answer is: Summary offences

The single justice procedure is primarily designed for handling summary offences. This type of trial streamlines the legal process for less serious crimes that typically do not require a jury. These offences often involve minor infractions, such as certain traffic violations or petty theft, where the circumstances and evidence are straightforward. The procedure allows a single magistrate to consider the case and deliver a verdict without the need for a full court hearing. This efficiency in dealing with summary offences helps to alleviate the burden on the court system by allowing quicker resolutions for less severe cases. As a result, the focus on summary offences is integral to this specific procedure, allowing for a more expedient legal process in scenarios that do not warrant the complexities of major trials.