police court

n. in some states a type of municipal court which handles misdemeanors (minor crimes), and traffic violations, as well as conducting arraignments (first appearances) and preliminary hearings of those accused of felonies to decide if there is cause to send the defendant to a higher court for trial. Police courts only handle criminal cases unlike those municipal courts which also have jurisdiction over some civil cases. (See: municipal court, arraignment, preliminary hearing)

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References in classic literature

Often, from his high seat, he had listened indulgently to police court perjuries in cooked-up cases; but for the first time perjury was directed against him, and he no longer sat above the court, with the bailiffs, the Policemen's clubs, and the prison cells behind him.

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A fresh piece of evidence discovered by the detectives since the police court proceedings was a long, almost new piece of blotting-paper.

View in context

Under the headline `Man-hunt ends', the Observer of April, 1939, told how 18-year-oldsThomas Larkins and ex-soldier John Bucknell appeared at Stirling Police Court charged with car theft.

Teens accused of stealing car from outside house

Under the bill, a Police Law Enforcement Court or Police Court will be created among existing Regional Trial Courts (RTCs).

Senate panel supports proposed court for police abuse cases

The lawyer and human rights defender, Hala Deeb, tweeted urging for a reliable investigation that involves independent parties rather than a police court.

Jordanian Social Media 'Shockingly' Silent Over Torture-Related Death

Molloy went home with a wound on the head and spent Christmas there, giving evidence in the police court in the New Year, when Inman appeared there on charges of assault with intent to rob.

Brutal killing on the Christmas Eve tram; Local historian STEVEN HORTON looks back at some of the city's most notorious murder cases ..

Much of the information is from the Police Court, which was not a court of record but that the newspapers covered extensively.

Bunco Artists in Richmond, 1870-1920: Sharpers, Snatchers, Swindlers, Flimflammers and Other Con Men

1897: Marlborough Street Police Court in London fined taxi driver George Smith PS1, making him the first person in Britain to be convicted for drink-driving.

ON THIS DAY 1916: Sgt [...]

Today, when the man appeared at the local police court charged with damaging the window and wearing the ribbon of the Military medal and 1914-15 Star, whereas he was only entitled to the General Service and Victory medals, he kept the Stipendiary Magistrate and a large bench of magistrates in roars of laughter.

He'll get his Christmas pudding

On 28 April 1903 a large crowd gathered at Winnipeg's James Street police court in anticipation of nearly two dozen cases set to be heard on that morning's docket.

The justice mill: George William Baker at the Winnipeg police court, 1901-1903

1897: Marlborough Street Police Court in London fined taxi driver George Smith pounds 1, making him the first person in Britain to be convicted for drink-driving.

ON THIS DAY IN ..

1897: Marlborough Street Police Court in London fined taxi driver George Smith pounds 1 making him the first person in Britain to be convicted for drink-driving.

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