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The Legal Process (Criminal Matters) in the Bahamas
Proceedings are instituted in the name of the Queen in the Supreme Court and in the name of the Commissioner of Police in the Magistrate's Court.
The Magistrate's Court hears summary matters or indictable matters, which may be heard summarily. Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrates have jurisdiction to impose a maximum sentence of five years. They also conduct preliminary inquiries in indictable matters to determine whether a prima facie case has been made against an accused person. If a prima facie case is made out, the accused is committed to the Supreme Court to stand trial.
If the person is tried and convicted in the Magistrate's Court, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court or to the Court of Appeal, depending on the nature of the offence.
An appeal may lie from the Court of Appeal to the J Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council, which is the highest Court of Appeal in The Bahamas.
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