What Is a Committal Hearing? - Serious offences in QLD are heard in the District & Supreme Courts. However, all such matters must first pass through the committal process in the Magistrates Court. A committal hearing is a preliminary step in criminal proceedings for serious offences (called indictable offences) to determine whether there is enough evidence for the matter to go to the District or Supreme Court. Options for Committals & Why They Matter - Deciding how to approach a committal hearing is one of the most important early decisions in your case. If you have been charged, then once your lawyer receives the brief of evidence (that is, the material on which the prosecutors are relying), they will discuss with you what the recommended approach is in your particular case. Depending on circumstances, you usually have three options. - 1. Registry Committal-there is no hearing. Instead, at your request & agreement of prosecution, the case moves forward administratively from the magistrates to a higher court. 2. Full Hand-Up Committal-This is where the prosecution hands up to the Magistrates its full brief of evidence, but there is no actual cross examination of any witnesses. 3. Committal Hearing with Oral Evidence-the prosecution is still required to present its statements and evidence in support of its case. However, here the potential witnesses can be cross-examined. There are advantages & disadvantages that need to be discuissed with your lawyer prior to any decision.
