More serious criminal charges are called indictable offences. (The most common criminal charges are called summary offences.) An indictable offence is an offence where the defendant has the right to trial by jury.

There are two categories of indictable offences: major indictable offences and minor indictable offences.

Major indictable offences must be heard in the District Court or the Supreme Court. Criminal trials in both these courts are held before a judge and jury, unless the defendant chooses to have a trial by a judge without a jury (this should only be done after taking legal advice).

Minor indictable offences are heard in the Magistrates Court, where there is no jury, unless the defendant chooses to go to a higher court (the District or Supreme Court) - see election.

Major indictable offences include offences such as murder, rape, arson, perjury, threatening or endangering life and culpable driving causing death. The Supreme Court must hear a charge of murder or treason and also hears other serious major indictable offences. All other major indictable offences can be heard in the District Court.