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04related terms
May 2026reviewed
In detail
How committal works in practice.
A committal proceeding is conducted in the Magistrates' Court for indictable offences. Its purpose is to determine whether the prosecution evidence is sufficient for the matter to proceed to trial in a higher court. The accused may cross-examine prosecution witnesses at a committal hearing. If the magistrate finds there is sufficient evidence, the accused is committed to stand trial or be sentenced in the County Court or Supreme Court of Victoria. Many serious criminal matters resolve at or before committal without going to trial.
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