Police Court Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Police Court.

Police Court (noun): A kind of lower-level court also referred to as Justice's Court, Municipal Court, or Magistrate's Court. Its jurisdiction is generally limited and typically handles minor crimes (i.e. misdemeanors) and violations of local municipal laws such as traffic rules. These courts also provide preliminary hearings and trial arrangements. They can evaluate a case and decide whether it warrants being moved to a higher-level court. If not, the presiding judge gives a verdict based on the specific details of the case, typically without a jury.