Michael is a 17-year-old on trial for murder - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 14 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 14
Michael is a 17-year-old on trial for murder.
Which of the following is correct?
A. Michael’s trial will be in the Supreme Court.
B. Michael’s trial will be in fron... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Michael is a 17-year-old on trial for murder - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 14 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. Michael’s trial will be in the Supreme Court.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. A 17-year-old charged with murder typically would not be tried in the Supreme Court, as this court deals with more serious offenses and appeals. Generally, juvenile offenses are handled by lower courts.
Step 2
B. Michael’s trial will be in front of a magistrate.
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Answer
This is also incorrect. While preliminary hearings may involve a magistrate, the trial for murder would typically occur in a higher court, such as a juvenile court or a criminal court, depending on the jurisdiction.
Step 3
C. Michael cannot be held criminally responsible.
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Answer
This statement is misleading. Sometimes, juveniles can be held responsible for their actions, depending on the laws of the jurisdiction. However, there may be special considerations for the age of the defendant.
Step 4
D. Michael will be required to prove his innocence.
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Answer
This statement is correct. In a criminal trial, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, Michael is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
