police-court

A man stands before the judge in the police-court.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A court of law for minor offenses: "police-court" refers to a court that handles minor criminal cases, typically presided over by a magistrate or a police officer, and often deals with offenses such as petty theft, public disturbances, or traffic violations.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He was summoned to the police-court for a noise complaint. (A court for minor offenses related to public order.)
  • The police-court processed dozens of cases of disorderly conduct each week. (A court handling minor criminal matters.)

Advanced Usage

• "to appear in a police-court": to be brought before such a court as a defendant.

  • She had to appear in the police-court after being charged with vandalism. (She was required to attend a court for minor offenses.)

• "police-court magistrate": the judge or officer presiding over such a court.

  • The police-court magistrate dismissed the case for lack of evidence. (The magistrate in charge of minor offenses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Police (n): the civil force responsible for maintaining public order.

  • The police arrived quickly to the scene. (The law enforcement officers.)

• Court (n): a tribunal where legal cases are heard.

  • The court adjourned for the day. (The legal tribunal.)

• Police-court proceedings (n): the legal processes conducted in such a court.

  • The police-court proceedings were brief and efficient. (The hearings for minor offenses.)

Synonyms

• Magistrate's court: a court for minor offenses presided over by a magistrate.
• Summary court: a court that handles cases without a jury, often for minor crimes.

Related Idioms

• No idiom directly associated: "police-court" is a specific legal term without common idiomatic usage.