What are the duties of the First Class and the Second Class Magistrates?

Duties of the First Class Magistrate — These Magistrates take up more serious criminal cases and award imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to 10,000 or both. They can hear appeals against the decisions of Magistrates Class II.

Duties of the Second Class Magistrate — Comparatively, certain serious criminal cases are dealt with by these Magistrates. They can sentence a person to imprisonment for not more than 1 year or impose a fine of ₹ 5000 or both.