police court
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police court,
court with jurisdiction limited to minor offenses, chiefly the least grave misdemeanorsmisdemeanor,in law, a minor crime, in contrast to a felony. At common law a misdemeanor was a crime other than treason or a felony. Although it might be a grave offense, it did not affect the feudal bond or take away the offender's property. By the 19th cent.
..... Click the link for more information. and breaches of municipal ordinances. In practice the trial is usually held before a judge sitting without a jury. A police court may also examine persons accused of felonyfelony
, any grave crime, in contrast to a misdemeanor, that is so declared in statute or was so considered in common law. In early English law a felony was a heinous act that canceled the perpetrator's feudal rights and forfeited his lands and goods to the king, thus depriving
..... Click the link for more information. and commit them to jail pending indictmentindictment
, in criminal law, formal written accusation naming specific persons and crimes. Persons suspected of crime may be rendered liable to trial by indictment, by presentment, or by information.
..... Click the link for more information. and trial or release them on reasonable bailbail,
in law, procurement of release from prison of a person awaiting trial or an appeal, by the deposit of security to insure his submission at the required time to legal authority.
..... Click the link for more information. . Magistrate's court, justice's court, and municipal court are other names for the police court.