VPRS 18842 Court of Petty Session Register (Bendigo Receiving Ward)

This series comprises volumes recording matters heard by the Court of Petty Sessions at Bendigo Courts (VA 3008). The Court of Petty Sessions dealt with a large range of “minor” court matters, including criminal, civil, licensing and family law matters. The registers in this series record cases such as admission to or discharge from the ward, extension of an existing order to remain in the ward or transfers to a designated mental institution. It is probable that these cases were heard at the at the Receiving Ward rather than the courthouse. Details are recorded under the following headings:  - No. (case number); - Prosecutor, Informant, Complainant, or Applicant;  - Accused or Defendant;  - How before the court (Arrest on view, Warrant, or Summons);  - Fees;  - Charge, Cause or Proceeding;  - Decision, Memo of Conviction, or Order;  - Remarks. Prior to 1942, judicial decisions relating to patients connected to the Receiving Ward were recorded in the individual patient's record (see Patient Records [VPRS 18845]).