Sessions court
Also called: Court of Session · Topic: Justice Delivery: Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Legal Aid and Judicial Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A sessions court is the highest criminal court in a district. It is headed by a Sessions Judge, who is the District Judge acting in criminal cases. It tries serious offences and can pass any sentence allowed by law. However, a death sentence it passes cannot be carried out until the High Court confirms it. This rule is an extra safety check before the most extreme punishment.
Example
A murder case is tried in the sessions court of a district. If the judge sentences the accused to death, the case goes to the High Court for confirmation.
Don't confuse with
- Judicial magistrate's court: a lower criminal court. For example, a Chief Judicial Magistrate can sentence only up to 7 years.
Related concepts
- Subordinate courts
- District judge
- Judicial magistrate
- Executive magistrate
- High Court's control over subordinate courts
- High Court's power of superintendence