236 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

The lowest court with criminal jurisdiction is the Court of
Petty Sessions, which may be presided over by a single J.P.
In this form, however, the Court cannot inflict heavier penalties
than a fine of twenty shillings, or fourteen days imprisonment.
Usually there is a "Bench" of two or more Justices, and Petty
Sessions has then the same powers as a Stipendiary's Court.
These courts have Summary Jurisdiction^ i.e., they can deal with
lesser offences straightway without trial by jury. They cannot,
except in a few cases, inflict more than six months' imprisonment
or a £50 fine. The police, or a private person, e.g. the victim of
an assault, may obtain a summons requiring the offender to
appear, or the latter may be arrested by the police and
brought to the court. For small thefts and assaults, for drunk
and disorderly charges, and minor motoring offences, the Court
of Summary Jurisdiction is, the regular tribunal; the popular
name "Police Courts" brings out the fact that the Courts of
Summary Jurisdiction are mainly concerned with this type of
case, and most of the witnesses are the policemen, who observe
the offence. The more serious offences, e.g. theft, burglary, arson,
murder, are known as indictable offences because the accused
is charged in a formal written statement or indictment. These
must be heard by a higher court with a jury, except that on certain
charges the accused may choose whether he will be dealt with
summarily, or go for trial by jury with the risk of a heavier
penalty if he is convicted. Procedure at a Court of Summary
Jurisdiction bears some resemblance to a full trial. First the
prosecution and then the defence states its case, and calls
witnesses who are examined and cross-examined. If, however,
the accused person has a lawyer to represent him, it will usually
be a solicitor, not a barrister as in the High Court. Nor, as has
been said, is there a jury, and the case will be decided by the
magistrates. If they are not satisfied that the prisoner is guilty
they will dismiss the case; otherwise, they may "bind him over"
for a stated period. If, during that period, he commits no further
offence the matter is ended; if be does, he can be punished for