What describes the severity and types of crimes that will be heard in summary court?

Summary court in South Carolina primarily handles misdemeanor cases, which are less severe than felonies and cannot result in a sentence of over one year in jail. This court is designed to provide a more streamlined process for addressing minor criminal offenses and violations.

Misdemeanor cases often involve issues such as petty theft, simple drug offenses, or disorderly conduct. These offenses are typically resolved quicker and with less formality than felony cases, making summary court an appropriate venue for such matters.

On the other hand, felony cases, capital offenses, and infractions don't fall under the jurisdiction of summary court. Felony cases are more serious and go to a higher court due to potential longer sentences, while capital offenses, which involve severe crimes punishable by death, are also handled in a separate capacity. Infractions, often considered minor violations like traffic tickets, might not even require a court appearance, thus they do not fit the typical scope of summary court either. Therefore, the focus on misdemeanors is what accurately characterizes the types of cases that the summary court system is designed to adjudicate.