What is Section 260 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

Asked by: Gudrun Walker  |  Last update: May 27, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (30 votes)

Section 260 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) primarily grants magistrates the power to conduct summary trials, allowing for quicker disposal of minor offenses not punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment exceeding two years, like petty theft, minor assault, or mischief. However, the specific content of Section 260 varies significantly by jurisdiction (e.g., India, Bangladesh, New York State), dealing with adjournments, jury trial procedures, or even technology use in courts, so its exact meaning depends on the country or state's code.

What is the summary trial 260?

Section 260 – Power to try summarily

assisting in the concealment or disposal of stolen property, under section 414 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) where the value of such property does not exceed two hundred rupees; offences under sections 454 and 456 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);

What is Section 264 of the CrPC?

264. (1) In every case tried summarily by a Magistrate or Bench in which an appeal lies, such Magistrate or Bench shall, before passing sentence, record judgment embodying the substance of the evidence and also the particulars mentioned in section 263.

Which of the following offences may be tried summarily?

They are conducted for offenses punishable with a maximum imprisonment of two years, or with fine only, or with both. These offenses are categorized as “petty offenses” under the CrPC. Examples of such offenses include simple cases of assault, theft, mischief, cheating, and other minor offenses.

What is Section 256 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

enables a Magistrate to discharge the accused when the complainant is absent and when the conditions laid down in the said section are satisfied. S. 256 (1) of the Criminal P. C. enables a Magistrate to acquit the accused if the complainant does not appear.

Summary Trial I Sec 260-265 of CrPC

21 related questions found

What is Section 258 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

Section 258 of the Code grants the Magistrate the power to stop a trial in some cases. This dismissal can be made only in summons cases that are not based on a complaint.

Can a complaint be dismissed under 256 CrPC?

Supreme Court on Section 256 CrPC Dismissal of a complaint case for default cannot be mechanical. It can only be done after the Magistrate is satisfied that the complainant's absence was willful and without sufficient cause.

What are the 4 types of offenses?

Offences against person, property or state. Personal offences, fraudulent offences. Violent offences, sexual offences. Indictable/non-indictable offences etc.

Which offences are summary only?

Examples of summary only offences include: common assault, being drunk and disorderly, minor criminal damage (i.e. under £5,000), minor motoring offences.

Does a summary conviction give you a criminal record?

A summary conviction typically stays on an individual's criminal record for five years. This time starts as soon as they complete their sentence. This is inclusive of any probationary period or fine payment. Even this duration varies based on individual circumstances.

What is Section 262 of the CrPC?

Description. In trial under this Chapter, the procedure specified in this Code for the trial of summons-case shall be followed except as hereinafter mentioned. No sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding three months shall be passed in the case of any conviction under this Chapter.

What is 325 CrPC?

As per Section 325 of Cr. P.C., Magistrate is required to form an opinion on basis of hearing of evidence of prosecution and accused that accused is guilty and he ought to have received the punishment of different kind and more severe than he is empowered to inflict.

What is Section 294 of the CrPC?

Explanation Of CrPC Section 294

Section 294 of the Code of Criminal Procedure states that certain documents can be admitted by the Court during the judicial proceedings without the requirement of formal proof. However, this can be done only if the opposite party does not question or challenge those documents.

What are the 5 stages of crime?

In every crime, there is first intention to commit it, secondly, preparation to commit it, thirdly, attempt to commit it and fourthly the accomplishment. The stages can be explained as under: Intention – This is the first stage in commission of a crime.

What is the minimum punishment for summary trial?

Summary trial by a Magistrate of second class

The offence should be punishable either solely with a fine or with imprisonment for not more than six months with/without fine. The scope extends to any abatement or attempts to commit any such abovementioned offence.

How long does a summary trial typically take?

A summary jury trial is usually finished in a day or less. It is useful when a full trial on the merits will require considerable time. This ADR proceeding is often times used in cases involving a factual dispute about damages.

What is the burden of proof in a summary offence case?

The prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This responsibility stems from the principle of the presumption of innocence, which means that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.

What are the 8 focus crimes?

"8 focus crime" refers to the eight specific, serious crimes monitored by the Philippine National Police (PNP): murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping (four-wheeled vehicles), and motorcycle theft, used for tracking crime trends and evaluating police performance, with recent reports showing declines in these offenses due to intensified efforts. 

Can an indictment be dismissed?

Yes. In many criminal cases, individual counts of an indictment can be dismissed before trial under the right circumstances. This is a common and important pretrial issue in criminal defense, and understanding how it works can shape the entire direction of a case.

What are the 5 main crimes?

Five common types of crime include Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, White-Collar Crimes, Organized Crimes, and Cybercrimes, covering offenses from physical harm and theft to financial fraud, large-scale criminal enterprises, and computer-based offenses, though other categorizations exist like public order or victimless crimes.
 

What is the burden of proof?

The burden of proof requires a party to produce evidence to establish the truth of facts needed to satisfy all the required legal elements of the dispute. It is also known as the onus of proof. The burden of proof is usually on the person who brings a claim in a dispute.

What is the most popular reason that cases get dismissed?

The most popular reasons cases get dismissed revolve around insufficient evidence (prosecutors can't prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt), violations of the defendant's constitutional rights (like illegal searches), and witness issues (unavailability, unreliability, or victim non-cooperation). Procedural errors by law enforcement or the prosecution, prosecutorial misconduct, or a case settling (in civil matters) are also very common reasons. 

What are the three grounds for dismissal?

1.1 Reasons for dismissal

  • Misconduct;
  • Operational Requirements (redundancy/retrenchment); or.
  • Incapacity (this is inclusive of ill health, poor work performance and incompatibility).

Which of the following reasons may cause a case to be dismissed?

Legal Issues or Procedural Errors: Prosecutors may dismiss a case if there are significant legal issues or procedural errors that could compromise the fairness of the trial. This could include violations of the defendant's constitutional rights, mishandling of evidence, or other legal irregularities.