StandardCriminal Law
Plain English

Represent yourself

Your charge, the documents you will prepare, the words for court, and the points where a lawyer should look. The important parts only.

Start with your charge

Course, 14 to 30 lessonsTool, five tapsGuide, one page
CourseNotice or suspensionBefore court
14 lessons, 5 modules
ToolPenalty noticeCourt election or licence appeal
Five taps, two minutes
Courses 10(1)Possess prohibited drug
30 lessons, 5 modules
Courses 111Drug driving
20 lessons, 5 modules
Courses 110Drink driving
20 lessons, 5 modules
Courses 61Common assault
20 lessons, 5 modules
CourseRoad Rules r 20Speeding
20 lessons, 5 modules
GuideDomestic violence
One page, plain English
GuideDrug supply
One page, plain English
GuideCharged with something else
One page, plain English
A lawyer at the points that matter

The courses mark where a review is worth having: the police case, the plea, your documents, the licence evidence. Fixed fee, quoted at the consultation.

Book a review

The guides, in plain English

Will I go to gaol?

Sentencing in NSW: what the court can orderGuide
Intensive correction orders and community correction ordersGuide

Will I get a criminal record?

What is a Section 10 and how do you get oneGuide
Spent convictions and your criminal recordGuide

What happens at court?

Before court: notices, suspensions and the electionCourse
Court election or licence appeal: pay, elect, or appeal a penalty noticeTool
What happens after you are charged in NSWGuide
Pleading not guilty in the Local Court: what happens nextGuide
Appeals from the Local Court to the District CourtGuide

Dealing with police

Your top 10 rights with NSW policeGuide
Your rights in a police interview (ERISP)Guide

Documents and the day itself

Your apology letter: template and guideGuide
Your submissions frameworkGuide
Your court day guideGuide

Getting help

Legal Aid and the duty solicitorGuide
The Aboriginal Legal ServiceGuide
SMART Recovery: what it is and how to use it before courtGuide
Drug and alcohol counselling before courtGuide
MERIT: the Local Court's treatment referral programGuide
The Traffic Offenders ProgramGuide
Psychological and psychiatric reports for courtGuide
Writing a court reference: a guide for refereesGuide
Support lines and where to get helpGuide

Charged with something more serious

The early guilty plea process for serious chargesGuide
Assault charges in NSW, from common assault to grievous bodily harmGuide
Domestic violence charges in NSWGuide
Serious drug supply charges in NSWGuide
Firearms charges in NSWGuide
Commonwealth offences: how they differ from state chargesGuide
Facing a trial in NSWGuide