police court

American  

noun

1. an inferior court with summary jurisdiction for the trial of persons accused of any of certain minor offenses, and with power to examine those charged with more serious offenses and hold them for trial in a superior court or for a grand jury.

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police court British  

noun

1. another name for magistrates' court

2. (in Scotland, formerly) a burgh court with limited jurisdiction, presided over by lay magistrates or a stipendiary magistrate: replaced in 1975 by the district court See also district court

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Etymology

Origin of police court

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Everyone - press, police, court staff, and likely the parties involved - are prepared for an intense week ahead.

From BBC • May 20, 2024

She followed him and called Vancouver police, court records state.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

The woman screamed for help, and the physician’s neighbor called Newport police, court documents say.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2018

“I did it,” Lemus-Torres told police, court records state.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2015

Fredericksburg was then under its old charter and the police court was presided over by the Mayor.

From Historic Fredericksburg The Story of an Old Town by Goolrick, John T.