The Magistrates Court is the first level of the Queensland Courts system and hears about 94% of court cases. Most criminal cases are first heard in this court in some form. Most civil actions are also heard here.
How the Magistrates Court operates
Unlike the Supreme and District Courts, the Magistrates Court does not have juries. A magistrate makes all decisions, including penalties in criminal cases and orders in civil disputes.
What the court deals with
Criminal cases
A person charged with a criminal offence must be brought before the Magistrates Court as a soon as possible after being charged.
The Magistrates Court deals with a range of offences including:
- less serious offences (summary offences), such as traffic infringements
- minor offences, such as shoplifting or disorderly behaviour
- more serious offences, such as burglary, assault, fraud and drugs.
Where the offence is more serious, the magistrate may commit the case to the Supreme Court or District Court for sentence or trial.
Read more about what happens in the Magistrates Court in criminal cases.
Civil cases
The Magistrates Court deals with civil cases if the amount in dispute is $150,000 or less. Cases involving larger amounts go to the Supreme or District Courts.
Learn more about what happens in civil cases involving money disputes.
Other matters heard in the Magistrates Court
The Magistrates Court also deals with:
- some family law matters such as adoption matters, enforcement of family law orders, and surrogacy arrangements (though most are handled by the Family Court)
- domestic and family violence matters
- Director of Child Protection Litigation (DCPL) and Child Safety applications (both heard in the Childrens Court)
- Commonwealth matters, such as customs offences, social security fraud, and tax offences
- Peace and Good behavior applications
- RSPCA matters
- Department of Transport and Main Roads applications.
Other areas of responsibility
- Childrens Court (Magistrates Court): a special, closed Magistrates Court where a person appears if they have been charged with committing an offence when they were under 18 years old.
- Court programs: aim to address the underlying causes of offending behaviour by linking defendants with vital health, cultural and social services.
Find your closest Magistrates Court
Magistrates Courts can hear cases in around 130 locations throughout Queensland. Find your local courthouse.
