Magistrates' Court

 

A Magistrates' Court can try offences where the maximum imprisonment term does not exceed 5 years or are punishable with a fine only. It can sentence a person to imprisonment for not more than three years, a fine not exceeding $10,000 and up to 6 strokes of the cane.

However, where the law expressly provides for it, the Magistrates' Court also has the jurisdiction to try offences and impose sentences which exceed the above limits such as in the Common Gaming Houses Act (Cap 49), Films Act (Cap 107) and Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order & Nuisance) Act (Cap184).