Which court handles minor offences unless escalated by prosecution?

The Local Court in New South Wales is specifically designated for handling minor offences, which can include summary offences such as petty theft, traffic violations, and other less serious criminal matters. This court serves as a first instance court for most matters, allowing for quicker resolutions and less formal proceedings compared to higher courts.

When a case is presented in the Local Court, the decision can remain there if the prosecution decides not to escalate it to a higher court or if the defendant pleads guilty to the charges. In essence, minor offences are primarily the domain of the Local Court, consolidating resources to address less significant legal disputes efficiently.

Higher courts, such as the District Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal, typically deal with serious criminal offences, complex civil matters, and appeals, thus are not the appropriate venues for minor offences unless specific circumstances warrant a case to be escalated.