When you are first charged
Defending charges in court will not always follow a precise order or timeline, but your journey may look like this.
Your Court Attendance Notice (CAN) is key to understand the charges you face and when you need to go to court.
First court appearance
If you miss your court appearance
If you missed your court date, the Court still must deal with your case. Here's what could happen and what you can do.
Entering a plea
Before you go to court you should decide how you want to plead. You should seek legal advice before entering a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Support in court
Find organisations who have volunteers to help support defendants in court, as well as telephone or referral support.
Sentencing and appeal
Understand what sentences the Court can give you and the time you have to appeal.
Finding legal support
Online solicitor referrals
Use the Law Society of NSW's online solicitor referral service to find the right fee-for-service lawyer to help you in court.
Dealing with a traffic offence
Use Legal Aid's guided pathway to answer legal questions around fines, traffic offences and licence suspension.
Useful contacts for support and advice
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW provides legal help for people in NSW. You can call an information officer or use webchat to help with legal information and referrals to legal advice.
Community Legal Centres NSW
Use the Community Legal Centres NSW recommendation service to find a community legal centre suitable for your situation.
Aboriginal Legal Service
The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) criminal law practice provides legal advice, representation, assistance and referrals in courts, prisons and ALS offices for Aboriginal people throughout NSW and the ACT.
Justice Advocacy Service
The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) supports young people and adults with cognitive impairment in contact with the NSW criminal justice system.
The MERIT program
The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program is a voluntary, pre-plea program for adults in the Local Court who have issues related to their alcohol and other drug use.