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03related terms
May 2026reviewed
In detail
How summary offence works in practice.
A summary offence is a category of criminal offence that is tried and sentenced in the Victorian Magistrates' Court. There is no jury; a magistrate hears the matter and decides guilt and sentence. Common assault under the Summary Offences Act 1966 and minor drug possession are typical examples. Summary offences carry lower maximum penalties than indictable offences, though a conviction can still result in a fine, community correction order, or imprisonment depending on the circumstances.
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