Can everything be finished today?

23.1When it finishes today

One appearance

If you have pleaded guilty, your folder is complete, your program is done, and the court has time, the matter is finalised at that appearance. Plea, facts, tender, submissions, decision. Fifteen minutes at the bar table after however long in the gallery. This is the normal outcome for a prepared self-represented person and it is what this course is built toward.

23.2When it does not

Second appearance

The Judge may adjourn sentence because a program is incomplete, because a sentencing assessment report is needed for a community-based order, because you asked for time, or because the list ran out of day. Representations may be outstanding. The prosecutor may need time to consider a disputed fact. Each of these produces a new date, usually four to six weeks away.

Write the date down at the bar table, confirm it with the court officer, and treat the second appearance exactly as you treated the first. Bring the whole folder again; the court does not keep your documents between dates.

23.3Plan for the whole day

Practical

Whatever you expect, block the entire day. Do not book anything after 4:00 pm. A self-represented person who tells the court officer they need to leave by noon has told the court where they rank it.