Your court day guide
The night before, the morning, arriving, waiting, what to say at each stage, what the outcome means, and what to do if something goes wrong. Print it and take it with you.
Be inside the building by 9:00 am, register with the court officer before you sit down, and wait in the gallery until your name is called. At the bar table: introduce yourself, plead, tender your documents to the court officer, make your submissions, answer questions briefly, and say thank you. If you are lost, say so, or ask for the matter to be stood down.
- Fill in the court details box tonight and pack the folder against the listSection 1 of this guide
- Read the words for each stage aloud onceSection 5 of this guide
- Block the entire daySection 2 of this guide
If anyone at court mentions custody, a sentencing assessment report, a report you have not seen, or a charge you did not know about, ask for the matter to be stood down and find the duty solicitor before you say anything else.
| Address the Judge as | Your Honour |
| When you arrive | Register with the court officer first |
| Opening line | Good morning, Your Honour. My name is [name]. I am representing myself. |
| Tendering | Your Honour, I have some documents I would like to tender. |
| If lost | I'm sorry, Your Honour, could you repeat that? |
| If overwhelmed | Your Honour, could the matter be stood down for a short time? |
1Your details, fill in tonight
Before
| Name | ______________________________ |
| Charge and section | ______________________________ |
| Court and address | ______________________________ |
| Listed time | ______________________________ |
| Leave home by | ______________________________ |
| H number and court case number | ______________________________ |
| What I am asking for, and the fallback | ______________________________ |
Pack: CAN and facts sheet; three signed original references with two copies each; your letter, original and two copies; program letter, original and two copies; one-page submissions; bail papers; photo ID; pen; water; this guide.
2The morning
Before you leave
| Dress | As for a bank interview. Dark, plain, closed shoes, no logos |
| Eat | You may be there all day |
| Folder | Check it against the list above |
| Submissions | Read aloud once |
| Phone | Charged, and off before you enter the courtroom |
| Leave | Early. Security at Downing Centre or Parramatta can take twenty minutes |
| The day | Blocked entirely. Nothing after 4:00 pm |
3Arriving
Stage 1
| Step | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Airport-style screening | Bring nothing you would not take on a plane |
| The list | Daily list near the entrance or on screens, alphabetical by surname | Find your name and courtroom. Ask the registry if you cannot |
| The court officer | Inside or beside the courtroom door | Give your full name, say you are representing yourself, and whether you will plead guilty and are ready |
Until the court officer has marked you present, the court does not know you are there.
4Waiting
Stage 2
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Sit in the gallery and watch the matters before yours | Leave the precinct without telling the court officer |
| Stand when the Judge enters or leaves | Use your phone, or take photos, which is a criminal offence |
| Bow toward the bench when you cross the bar | Eat, talk, or react to other matters |
5At the bar table
Stages 3 to 5
Good morning, Your Honour. My name is [full name]. I am representing myself.
| If you are | Say this |
|---|---|
| Pleading guilty, ready today | Your Honour, I plead guilty to the charge and I am ready to proceed to sentence. |
| Pleading guilty, need time | Your Honour, I plead guilty. I ask for an adjournment of [four] weeks to [complete a program and obtain references]. |
| Disputing a fact | I plead guilty. I do not accept paragraph [X] of the facts sheet, which states [quote]. I have asked the prosecutor to withdraw it. If it is not withdrawn, I ask that the court not rely on it unless the prosecution proves it. |
| Need legal advice | Your Honour, I ask for an adjournment of [four] weeks to obtain legal advice. |
| Awaiting representations | Your Honour, I sent representations to the prosecutor on [date] and have not had a response. I ask that the matter be adjourned. |
| Pleading not guilty | Your Honour, I plead not guilty to the charge. |
Your Honour, I have some documents I would like to tender: three character references, a letter from me to the court, and a letter from [program].
Your Honour, I would like to address the four matters under section 10(3), briefly, and then say what I am asking for.
Work through your one page. Finish with "Those are my submissions, Your Honour." Answer questions in one or two sentences. When the Judge gives the decision: "Thank you, Your Honour." Then leave the bar table, bow at the bar, and go to the registry for the written order.
6The outcome
Stage 6
| What you hear | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dismissed under section 10 | No conviction, no conditions. The matter is over |
| Conditional release order without conviction | No conviction. Conditions from today for the stated period |
| Conditional release order with conviction | Conviction recorded, conditions apply |
| Fine of $[amount] | Convicted. Pay within 28 days or arrange time to pay with Revenue NSW |
| Community correction order | Convicted. Report to Community Corrections within the time stated, usually seven days |
| Disqualified for [period] | You cannot drive from now. Arrange a lift home before you leave the building |
7If things go wrong
Recovery
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| You do not understand | "I'm sorry, Your Honour, could you repeat that? I want to make sure I understand." |
| You lose your place | Pause, breathe, look at your dot points, continue |
| The Judge seems impatient | Stop, listen, answer what is asked, briefly |
| You are overwhelmed | "Your Honour, could the matter be stood down for a short time so that I can speak to the duty solicitor?" |
| Something unexpected: custody, a report, a new charge | Ask for the matter to be stood down. Find the duty solicitor before you say anything else |
| The result is bad | "Thank you, Your Honour." Leave. Read the appeals guide. 28 days |
8Carry this in
Cut-out card
| Address the Judge as | Your Honour |
| Crossing the bar | Bow |
| On arrival | Register with the court officer |
| Opening line | Good morning, Your Honour. My name is [name]. I am representing myself. |
| Tender | Your Honour, I have some documents I would like to tender. |
| Submissions | Your Honour, I would like to address the four matters under section 10(3). |
| Lost | I'm sorry, Your Honour, could you repeat that? |
| Need time | Your Honour, could the matter be stood down for a short time? |
| Close | Those are my submissions, Your Honour. Thank you, Your Honour. |
You have prepared for this. Walk in, stay calm, and let the folder do the work.
General information only, not legal advice. NSW-specific. Every matter turns on its own facts and laws can change. Reading this guide does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and the lawyers who produced it.