Singapore legislation
Section 8
Section 8
Criminal jurisdiction of Magistrates’ Courts
(1)
Subject to this Code, every Magistrate’s Court shall have cognizance of and power and authority to —
hear, try, determine and dispose of in a summary way prosecutions for offences for which the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law does not exceed 3 years or which are punishable with fine only;
inquire into offences committed or alleged to have been committed with a view to committal for trial by the High Court;
inquire into complaints of offences and summon and examine witnesses touching such offences, and summon and apprehend and issue warrants for the apprehension of criminals and offenders, and deal with them according to law;
issue warrants to search or to cause to be searched places wherein any stolen goods or any goods, articles or things with which or in respect of which any offence has been committed are alleged to be kept or concealed, and require persons to furnish security for the peace or for their good behaviour according to law; and
do all other matters and things which a Magistrate’s Court is empowered to do by any Act.
(2)
The jurisdiction and powers conferred upon any Magistrate’s Court under subsection (1)(a) and (b) shall be exercised by any Magistrate, sitting in a court house of such Magistrate’s Court.
(3)
The jurisdiction and powers conferred upon a Magistrate’s Court under subsection (1)(c), (d) and (e) may be exercised by a Magistrate at any place within Singapore.