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Do You Need to Appear in Court Hearing?

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Have you received a Court Attendance Notice? Appearing at Court without a Lawyer can be a daunting experience.  Here are some tips to help you if you choose to represent yourself.

Tips

  • Make sure you arrive early 
  • Make sure you have your paperwork with you, a copy of your court documents or court attendance notice 
  • Ensure that you have references ready for the Magistrate and Police Prosecutor to read 
  • Always address the Magistrate as “Your Honour” 
  • You will be asked by the Magistrate whether you are entering a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty”, so make sure you know your answer 
  • If you are found guilty or have entered a plea of guilty, in some circumstances a pre-sentence report may be ordered by the Magistrate.  So, be prepared to participate in an interview so the pre-sentence report can be prepared to help the Magistrate decide what sentence options are most suitable to your situation, eg. a custodial sentence, a fine or something else
If you choose to engage a lawyer, we would be happy to assist.  We regularly appear for clients who have been charged with driving offences and offences relating to violence and drugs.