NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of an offence typically dealt with by the single justice procedure?

1. Theft

2. Traffic offences

3. Murder

4. Assault

The correct answer is: Traffic offences

The single justice procedure is specifically designed to handle minor, straightforward cases that do not require the complexities of a full court trial. Traffic offences are examples of such minor cases. They often involve straightforward facts and typically do not necessitate extensive witness testimonies or intricate legal arguments. This procedure allows these cases to be dealt with efficiently, usually resulting in a quicker resolution than what would occur in more serious offences. The other offences listed, such as theft, assault, and murder, involve more serious legal implications, require greater scrutiny, and typically necessitate full jury trials or magistrate hearings. Such cases often need more comprehensive examination of evidence and the testimonies of multiple witnesses, making them unsuitable for the streamlined single justice procedure.