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Adjournment considerably a delay in a suit even after amendments of Civil Procedure Code which restricts that no adjournment shall be granted more than three times.Definition of adjourn
: to suspend indefinitely or until a later stated time adjourn a meeting Court is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.You may not be able to get more than one adjournment. The magistrate may decide not to let you have an adjournment and may ask you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
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What is the meaning of adjourned in court?
Definition of adjourn
: to suspend indefinitely or until a later stated time adjourn a meeting Court is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
How many times can a court case be adjourned Qld?
You may not be able to get more than one adjournment. The magistrate may decide not to let you have an adjournment and may ask you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
How many times can a case be adjourned in NY?
You are entitled to one adjournment of at least 14 days. If it is an emergency and you cannot appear yourself to request the adjournment, but wish to send someone on your behalf, you must give that person written authorization to make the request for you.
What happens if my court case is adjourned?
When a court case is adjourned, it means that the trial or hearing is postponed or deferred to another date. For a court case to be successfully adjourned, there must be sufficient reasoning by either or both parties involved. These reasonings are considered by the magistrate on a case-by-case basis.
Why would court case be adjourned?
If the magistrates agree, the case can be adjourned for a short time to allow the additional information to be prepared and given to the defendant there and then.
Can I plead guilty without going to court?
Pleading guilty to an offence means that you accept you have committed that offence. Once you plead guilty you are convicted of the offence. For this reason, following a guilty plea there is no need for a trial and the court will proceed to sentence, either immediately or at a later hearing.
What happens when you don’t turn up to court?
If you do not attend court a warrant will be issued for your arrest and it is likely that the police will come looking for you at your home address, or you could be stopped on the street.
What happens if you plead guilty in a magistrates court?
Pleading guilty
If you plead guilty at the outset your case will not go to trial and you could be sentenced immediately in the magistrates’ court. For more serious offences you will have to go to the Crown Court to be sentenced. Find out more about sentencing hearings.
How long is court adjourned?
The magistrate will adjourn the matter – usually for six weeks – so the police can serve the prosecution and defence with a copy of the evidence in the case.
Does adjourned mean dismissed?
The adjournment in contemplation of dismissal – or ACD as it is known by those who practice in the justice system – provides for a full dismissal of the charges in the interest of justice following a period of time, usually six months, as long as the defendant does not get rearrested during the adjourned period.
When should you ask for adjournment in court?
There are many reasons someone might ask for an adjournment: One party is not ready or has not had time to prepare. A party wants to present new evidence discovered right before the court date, and one or more parties need more time to figure out how the new evidence affects their case.
How do I adjourn my court date Qld?
In Queensland, you must attend court on the date set by the court. From 8 July 2020, for the adult criminal jurisdiction, a lawyer can use the Online Application for a Court Event form to ask for an adjournment, to bring a matter forward and/or to seek a direction from the court.
What considerations may lead a party to request an adjournment of a hearing?
A party may file a motion for adjournment when serious grounds prevent the party from proceeding with the hearing as scheduled. As described in the Tribunal’s Rules of Procedure, the party should file a motion for adjournment as soon as feasible after it determines there is a need for an adjournment.
Why would a Crown Court case be adjourned?
There are many reasons the CPS might ask for an adjournment, such as being unable to produce their witness or producing the wrong witness, which is what happened in a recent trial of ours.
Adjournments Are The Bane of Civil Proceedings: How CPC Attempt To Answer This Criticism?
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Criminal law cases in the Magistrates Court – Legal Aid Queensland
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Criminal law cases in the Magistrates Court – Legal Aid Queensland
Updating General information about what will happen if you’re charged with a criminal offence and have to go to the Magistrates court. Crime, committing a crime, being charged with an offence, criminal offence, offence, offences, criminal case, Magistrates Court, criminal offences, summary offences, indictable offences, committal, summary trials, bail, court location, going to court, arriving at court, duty lawyer, QP9, Queensland Police Form 9, courtroom, adjournment, pleading guilty, pleading not guilty, pleading guilty online, Notice to appear, complaint and summons, summary callover, court, case conference, sentencing, committal hearings, offender levy. - Table of Contents:
Criminal cases in the Magistrates Court
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– Court Stage – Enforcement Guide (England & Wales) 12. When a case is adjourned, you must ensure that you agree a new hearing date with the court and that the witnesses are told the new date. … - Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Objections and adjournments
– Court Stage – Enforcement Guide (England & Wales) 12. When a case is adjourned, you must ensure that you agree a new hearing date with the court and that the witnesses are told the new date. court stage, enforcement guidance, Enforcing, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Investigating, breaches, legislation, Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices, Employment Tribunals, law, Appealing, offences, maximum penalties, work related deaths, Objections and adjournmentsThis Guide sets out the law and legal practice relevant to the criminal enforcement of health and safety duties. - Table of Contents:
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When Can a Court Case be Adjourned and Why? – Guest Lawyers
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When Can a Court Case be Adjourned and Why
When Can a Court Case be Adjourned and Why
How many times can ongoing cases be adjourned at Crown Court before they are thrown out? – Quora
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District Court Rules | The Courts Service of Ireland
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How to Adjourn or Postpone a Criminal Court Hearing – SingaporeLegalAdvice.com
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Adjournments and timely decision making – National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book
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What is Court Adjournment? – Law Insider India
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Adjournments Are The Bane of Civil Proceedings: How CPC Attempt To Answer This Criticism?
Adjournments Are The Bane of Civil Proceedings: How CPC Attempt To Answer This Criticism?
What Is Adjournment?
What Is The Effect Of Adjournment?
How Civil Procedure Code Attempt To Answer Adjournment?
Provisio to R 1 O.17 Kishan Lal Gupta v. Dujodwala Industries, AIR 1977 Del 49 Makbul v. Sidik, A 1966 Or 41 Unit Traders vs. Commissioner of Customs 2012(281) ELT659 (Mad. Mukhopadhyay, S. (2019). Adjournment should not be used to cause delay. [online] Business-standard.com. Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/adjournment-should-not-be-used-to-cause-delay-113063000518_1.html [Accessed 22 Oct. 2019]. Chandra Prakash Ojha v. District Judge Barielly, AIR 2004 All 204. SORABJEE, SOLI J. Role of the Judiciary—Boon or Bane? India International Centre Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 3, 1993, pp. 1–17. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23003966. [Accessed 22 Oct. 2019]. News, I. (2019). What delays the delivery of justice in lower courts? IIM study finds out | India News – Times of India. [online] The Times of India. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what-delays-delivery-of-justice-in-lower-courts-iim-study-finds-out/articleshow/71679266.cms [Accessed 22 Oct. 2019]. SANJAY PINTO, ‘Time’ for adjournments running out? Deccan Chronicle (2019), https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/160219/time-for-adjournments-running-out.html (last visited Oct 22, 2019). Anita Bhandari v. Union of India, 2003 (2) Guj LR 1093 Salem Advocate Bar Assoc. v. Union of India, AIR 2005 SC 3353. Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs headed by Justice V.S Malimath.
. Timely disposal of case is essential for maintaining the rule of law and providing access to justice which is guaranteed under the fundamental right.When the hearing of evidence has once begun, the hearing of the suit shall be continued from day to day until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined, unless the Court finds the adjournment of the hearing beyond the following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded[1]. Adjournment is a kind of hold to a current proceeding or postpones the proceeding to a later date.Adjournment is entirely discretionary, but the discretion must be exercised in a judicial and reasonable manner not arbitrarily or with capriciousness manner No hard and fast test can be laid down as to how this discretion should be exercised on each occasion. It would vary according to the facts and circumstances of each case[2].Adjournment will be given to both the parties to present their arguments with evidence to call witnesses or bring evidence to the court due to this adjournment will be granted to the parties and this leaves will often be repeated by lawyer, parties and judges this adjournment will be given for deliberately delaying the case. The Madras High Court observed in the case of Unit Traders vs. Commissioner of Customs[3]- that when there is a deliberate absence on the date of hearings the plea of denying natural justice is not admissible.One of the most interesting arguments I encountered when I appeared as a witness for the prosecution in a CBI case where I had sanctioned the prosecution of a junior officer who had been found with property in excess of his known source of income. After a few minutes of cross-examination, the lawyer told the judge that there was a procession in the city and he wanted to exercise his democratic right to join the procession for which he wanted adjournment of the proceedings. The adjournment was readily granted.[4]The reason stated by the writer if true then-lawyer and judges are the main show cause behind the delay in justice to parties. Sometimes even the parties because when the call for the hearing they will not appear then the court will dismiss the suit or pass an ex parte decree. Then the procedure of O.IX of civil Procedure Code will be applied. Adjournment which is a notorious problem in the functioning of the civil proceeding and criminal proceeding this rule of giving adjournment is a discretion of a court to grant time to parties with sufficient cause see if there is any sufficient cause then the only court can grant an adjournmentAdjournment affect the whole system of law or the whole system of justice there will be a notorious problem is affecting the functioning of the court this malady will erode the confidence of the people in the judiciary. Adjournment cannot be claimed as of right, as the adjournment is in the discretion of the Court and cannot be claimed as a right[5]. Adjournments contribute to delays in the disposal of cases. They also contribute to hardship, inconvenience and expense to the parties and the witnesses. The witness has no stake in the case and comes to assist the court to dispense justice. He sacrifices his time and convenience for this.If the case is adjourned he is required to go to the court repeatedly. He is bound to feel unhappy and frustrated. This also gives an opportunity to the opposite party to threaten or induce him not to speak the truth. Adjournment considerably a delay in a suit even after amendments of Civil Procedure Code which restricts that no adjournment shall be granted more than three times. At present applications for adjournments are made in the apex court on grounds which would have been unthinkable before and which, if made, would have met with a thundering rejection. Today adjournments are the order of the day.This practice must stop even though it may make the judge unpopular. Judges are not participating in a popularity contest.[6] As an article by IIM Calcutta states about the Adjournment There is a huge delay due to the processes of court functioning during the trial stage for reasons namely non-attendance of witnesses, non-appearance of lawyers, lengthy oral arguments, arbitrary adjournments and delayed judgments, the study said. Adjournment for even passing judgment took an average nine weeks, while court holidays and strikes consumed about five weeks. Then there were other causes of delay such as the absence of lawyers of both plaintiff and the defendant and quite often, court entertaining requests for postponement due to delay in producing the required information[7].The lawyers must not forget, that by seeking unnecessary adjournments, they are frustrating the legitimate right of one of the litigating party and thus by adopting dilatory tactics, they are creating a situation, where the litigating party may lose its faith in the judiciary. It is the duty of the courts to decide the matters as early as possible, and if the lawyers refuse to co-operate with the courts, then a time has come, where the court would be left with no option but to decide the matters on its own, by going through the record, and this situation would never help the litigating party.[8]Amendment Act 1999 (w.e.f 1-7-2002) some and most important medication has been amended with respect to O.XVII Rule 1 it has become obligatory for the court to record the reasons for adjournments of the hearing and restricts at the number of adjournments to three only during the hearing the suit. A civil suit should be decided at the earliest and in any case within one year from the date of its institution[9]. But the suit will continue more than 3 years even after so many precedents this rule is not following by judiciary.This provision was challenged in the case of[10] the provision limiting adjournments cannot be held to be ultra vires or unconstitutional in some extreme case it may become necessary to grant adjournment despite the fact of three adjournments have already been granted like the example of Bhopal gas tragedy, riots and other extremely serious matter then Court can grant an adjournment.While considering the factor necessary to keep in mind the legislative intent to restrict the grant of adjournments. Even the committee hold by Justice V.S Malimath made a recommendation on adjournment in criminal and civil reform that adjournment should be granted only when the court finds it necessary and reason should be recorded to give adjournment this condition is not followed the Committee proposed anto tackle cases that are pending for more than two years. Under the scheme, such cases will be settled through Lok Adalats on a priority basis. These cases will be heard on a day-to-day basis and no adjournment shall be permitted [11].Adjournments which a notorious problem in the functioning of courts by granting time to parties without sufficient cause then this is a mistake on part of judges they do have a discretion they can pass any order which they think fit so even if the parties are not appearing the court can dismiss or pass an ex parte decree. Even this is not working a reasonable amount should be imposed wherever court deems fit so. The deliberate intention is to delay the matter which is present before the court of law.The reason will be stated by parties, a lawyer on the ground that sudden illness or physical ailment for that fact evidence will be given that evidence should properly examine if there is any proof that evidence which was given was false immediate action should be taken against them in terms of fine or misleading court of law or wasting court time can be considered as willful disobedience of the process of court. By concluding the fact that adjudicator or the court should see that there should not be any undue advantage of adjournment by giving frivolous adjournment.
Adjourn Definition & Meaning
The chairperson has adjourned the meeting. Court is adjourned until 10:00 tomorrow. The meeting adjourned at 4:00. Congress will not adjourn until the budget has been completed.
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Newsom is expected to sign more gun bills this month and in August, after lawmakers return from their summer break and adjourn this year’s legislative session. — Hannah Wileystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022
The legislators were poised to quickly adjourn, taking no action on the matter. — Julia Musto, Fox News, 22 June 2022
House Bill 2627, which would accomplish this goal, is now pending in the Arizona House of Representatives, which is expected to adjourn in the next few weeks. — Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 26 May 2022
But time is running out for action in the Georgia General Assembly, which is slated to adjourn next Monday. — Fredreka Schouten, CNN, 29 Mar. 2022
The General Assembly is slated to adjourn Saturday but is likely to go into overtime to finish the budget — possibly returning next week for a final vote. — Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022
Once the Senate passes the legislation along, the governor has six days to decide whether to veto the bill; the General Assembly will adjourn the final session of its four-year term April 11. — Scott Dance, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2022
State legislators sent Newsom a hefty stack of bills over the last week, before they were expected to adjourn for the year late Friday night. — Dustin Gardiner, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Sep. 2021
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn in mid-April. — Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2022
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Criminal law cases in the Magistrates Court
Changes to this area of law
There have recently been changes to this area of law. We are working to review the information on this page and how these changes may affect you. Contact us to get help.
You may have to go to court if you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, however, It’s up to the Magistrate to hear the evidence and decide if you guilty and what your penalty should be. All criminal cases start in the Magistrates Court. This court deals with summary offences and some less serious indictable offences. More serious indictable offences must be sent to the District or Supreme Court by a process called a committal. You have 3 options on your first court date. You can: ask for an adjournment
plead guilty
plead not guilty. You should get legal advice if you’ve been charged with an offence and you’re going to court. You should get your QP9 before getting legal advice. A QP9 is a written summary of the police version of why you were charged and what happened. You can get your QP9 from the police prosecutor on your first court date (the duty lawyer may be able to help you obtain a copy). If you can’t collect it on your first court date, you’ll need to apply to police prosecutions for a copy. You’ll need to make a written request and show photo ID.
Criminal cases in the Magistrates Court
If you’re 17 or older and you have been charged with a criminal offence and/or some traffic offences, you will have to appear in the Magistrates Court. All criminal cases for people who are 17 and older start in the Magistrates Court. If you’re under 17 and have been charged with an offence—see young people and the justice system.
The Magistrates Court usually deals with criminal offences called summary offences, traffic offences, and less serious indictable offences. Most property offences, such as fraud and stealing will be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, unless the property involved in the offence is worth more than $30,000.
More serious indictable offences will be sent from the Magistrates Court to a higher court by a process called a committal. This includes offences like armed robbery and rape. For some offences, such as assault occasioning bodily harm, you may choose to have your trial in a higher court or the Magistrates Court.
You should get legal advice about which court will deal with your matter.
All cases are heard by a single magistrate. There’s no jury for cases in the Magistrates Court. Magistrates can sentence offenders who plead guilty, and decide the outcome of summary trials where people plead not guilty.
Going to court
You must go to court on the date on the:
Notice to appear
Complaint and summons
bail undertaking.
This paperwork will say which Magistrates Court you have to go to and when you have to go. The first court date is called the first ‘mention’ date.
If you don’t go to court when you are supposed to, the magistrate may issue a warrant for your arrest.
Changing the court location
You can ask the magistrate to transfer your case to another court in Queensland closer to your home. You can usually do this only if you’re going to plead guilty in the Magistrates Court. You should get legal advice if you are wanting to change the location of your case.
Before going to court
Before going to court you should:
find the court’s address and check the location on a map
arrive at court early—this will give you time to register your arrival at the court counter and see the duty lawyer if you need to
dress neatly
bring all your paperwork, a pen and note paper
organise to take a family member or friend to support you—they will be able to go into the courtroom with you but can’t speak for you.
You might be there all day depending on the number of matters before the court. You should plan to take the whole day off from work and organise child care (if needed).
Arriving at court
When arriving at court you should:
See staff at the counter and:
tell them your name ask for an interpreter (if you need one) find out which courtroom your case will be in or check the daily list (this will be displayed on the noticeboards or TV screens in the foyers and waiting areas) ask to speak to the duty lawyer (if there is one) ask if there are any court support workers who may be able to help you.
Get a copy of your QP9. This is the summary the police have prepared about your alleged offence. The duty lawyer may be able to help you get a copy of the QP9, or you can ask the police prosecutor for a copy.
Wait for your turn. You can sit quietly at the back of the courtroom or wait outside in the foyer. The court clerk will call your name when the magistrate is ready to hear your matter. If you wish to see the duty lawyer, you should wait in the foyer for your name to be called.
Turn off your mobile phone. Don’t eat or drink, chew gum, wear a hat or wear sunglasses in court.
What to do when you are called
When in the courtroom you should:
stand when the clerk says “all rise”—when the magistrate enters or leaves the courtroom
bow your head to acknowledge the magistrate when you enter or leave the courtroom
stand when being spoken to, and address the magistrate as ‘Your Honour’
call the police prosecutor ‘the prosecutor’
speak clearly and follow the magistrate’s instructions.
What happens in the courtroom will depend on your charges and if you choose to plead guilty or not guilty.
The magistrate will read out the charge and ask how you want to respond.
You can:
Part of the magistrate’s job is to make sure you understand what’s happening. If you don’t understand you can politely ask them to explain it to you.
Adjournment
You, or the duty lawyer, can ask for your case to be adjourned to another date to allow you to get more legal advice and help. If the magistrate gives you an adjournment, you’ll be given a new court date. If your matter is adjourned, you may need to attend a different court on the next date.
You may not be able to get more than one adjournment. The magistrate may decide not to let you have an adjournment and may ask you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. You should get legal advice before entering a plea.
Pleading guilty
You can choose to tell the court you are guilty of the offences. This is called pleading guilty. If you plead guilty, you agree to be sentenced as if you had committed the offence as described by the prosecutor.
You should read the QP9 (the police’s version of events). If you disagree with any of the police details about your offence you must tell the duty lawyer or the police prosecutor.
Don’t plead guilty unless you understand exactly what the police have charged you with. It will be very difficult to change your plea after you have pleaded guilty. A conviction can have serious consequences and you should get legal advice.
You can plead guilty and be sentenced by the magistrate if you’re charged with an offence which can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court. You may be sentenced immediately if the Magistrate has the capacity to deal with your matter on this day, or your sentencing may be set down for a later date.
If your matter can’t be dealt with by the Magistrates Court, your case will be sent to a higher court, like the District or Supreme Court.
For more information about pleading guilty see the have you been charged with an offence guide.
Pleading guilty online
If you’ve received a Complaint and summons or a Notice to appear from a Queensland police officer for a minor offence and you agree you’ve committed the offence, you may be able to plead guilty online.
Minor offences include:
commit public nuisance
contravene direction or requirement of police
disobeying the speed limit
driving an uninsured vehicle
driving without a licence where no disqualification order is made
driving without due care and attention
driving unregistered vehicle
unauthorised dealing with shop goods (maximum $150).
You must submit a guilty plea online more than 2 business days before your court date so it can be processed in time.
You can’t plead guilty online if you have received a Notice to Appear for, or been charged with, a more serious indictable offence.
You should get legal advice to help you make your decision about whether to plead guilty online.
You will still have to pay the offender levy if you plead guilty online.
Pleading not guilty
You can tell the court you did not commit the offences the police have charged you with—this is called pleading not guilty. You’ll then be given a new date to come to court for a hearing.
The prosecutor must prove you’re guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It is not up to you to prove you are innocent
If your matter can be heard in the Magistrates Court, the magistrate will then set a date for you to appear at a mention called the summary callover. At the summary callover you can attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor through the duty lawyer (see case conferencing) or you may list your matter for trial.
The prosecutor must give you a full brief of evidence within 5 weeks of the summary callover date.
At the trial, the prosecutor presents all evidence to try to prove their case. Each witness takes their turn to tell the magistrate what they know.
Either you or your lawyer can cross-examine the prosecution witnesses (sometimes called ‘crown witnesses’). You can give evidence and call your own witnesses, but you don’t have to.
The magistrate will then make a decision to:
acquit you (the magistrate didn’t think there was enough evidence to prove you were guilty beyond reasonable doubt) or
convict you (the magistrate did think there was enough evidence to prove you were guilty beyond reasonable doubt).
If acquitted, you’re free to go.
If the magistrate decides that you’re guilty, you’ll be sentenced.
If your matter can’t be heard in the Magistrates Court and needs to go to trial in the District or Supreme Court, then the magistrate will set a date for you to appear at a mention called the committal callover.
For more information about pleading not guilty see the have you been charged with an offence guide.
You should get legal advice.
Who else will be in the court room?
The Magistrates Court is an open court (ie any person can watch the cases), unless:
it is a matter involving children attending court or giving evidence, or
someone is asking for a domestic violence order, or
the Magistrate orders a closed court.
Case conference
If you have a lawyer and are disputing your charge, then your lawyer may have a case conference with the prosecutor. This is a discussion between your lawyer or the duty lawyer, and the prosecutor to try and negotiate a better solution for everyone. This might mean the prosecution agrees to drop some charges if you plead guilty to others, or some other agreement that will help resolve your matter faster.
If there’s a duty lawyer in court, you can ask them for advice about case conferences. If there’s no duty lawyer available, the police prosecutor is not required to case conference with a person who is not legally represented. Despite this, the prosecutor may be willing to talk to you about your charge.
Sentencing
If you’re found guilty, the magistrate will decide your sentence. They’ll ask the police prosecutor if you have a criminal history or traffic history. If there’s anything you don’t agree with in the criminal history, tell your lawyer or the magistrate.
The magistrate will then ask if there’s anything you want to say about your situation that could affect your penalty.
If you have written character references or other supporting information like medical reports or a letter from your employer, hand them to the prosecutor to give to the magistrate. References are generally only useful if the person writing them knows you’ve been charged with the offence and you’re being sentenced for committing the crime.
You, or your lawyer, can also tell the magistrate any relevant details, for example:
if you have children you support
if you’re employed
your level of education
if you could pay a fine or do community service
if you’re attending or are prepared to attend any courses such as anger management or drug and alcohol counselling.
These things are called mitigating factors.
The magistrate then sentences you. See possible penalties and sentences.
If you’re sentenced to a period of imprisonment, you won’t have an opportunity to go home and get your belongings or arrange your affairs. You’ll be taken straight from the court room into custody. You won’t be able to take anything with you. It’s best not to take valuables to court, or to carry more than about $50 cash. After your sentence, you may be held at a watch-house for several days until you’re sent to a correctional centre.
Committal hearings
If your matter has to be dealt with in the higher court, you or your lawyer will need to tell the court how you would like it sent there.
There are 3 ways your matter can be sent to a higher court.
Full hand up committal without cross-examination No witnesses give evidence.
The prosecutor gives (hands up) evidence to the magistrate.
Evidence includes written statements, videos, audio tapes, fingerprint reports and any other evidence which police have to prove their case.
Your matter is committed to the higher court for trial or sentence depending on whether you plead guilty or not guilty.
You can choose to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or enter no plea at this stage Registry committal You must have legal representation.
All documents which the police say are evidence against you are filed in the court, or your lawyer submits documentation confirming they have the evidence against you.
Your matter is transferred to the higher court without you having to go to court for the committal. You’ll be sent a notice explaining what has happened. A committal hearing All or some of the witnesses appear in person to give evidence and can be cross- examined.
This kind of committal is only available if the prosecutor consents, or the court gives you permission. There must be a reason why the witnesses need to come to court.
The magistrate decides if there is enough evidence for your case to go to a trial in the higher court (this is called a prima facie case). If the magistrate doesn’t think the police have shown enough evidence (ie they haven’t proven they have a prima facie case), the magistrate can dismiss the case.
You can choose to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or enter no plea at this stage.
You can have a full hand up committal or a committal hearing without a lawyer. You should get legal advice. What happens at your committal may affect what charges the prosecution decide to present against you in the higher court, and your ability to negotiate about your charges at a later stage.
Once your case is committed, the case is sent to the District Court sittings or Supreme Court sittings. The court will send you a notice. The prosecutors will have up to 6 months from the day your matter is committed to present your charges in the higher court. If you have any bail conditions you’ll need to continue to follow them until your matter is finalised in the higher court.
Offender levy
If you’re found guilty of an offence in a Queensland court, you’ll have to pay the offender levy in addition to any penalty or sentence you receive.
Do I need legal advice?
You may need legal advice if you:
have been charged with a criminal offence and you are going to court, or have already been to court and your matter was adjourned
think you have missed your court date and believe the court may have issued a warrant for your arrest
know of any outstanding warrants issued for you (Queensland or interstate)
need to change the court you are appearing in (ie move to another location or to another type of court, for example the Mental Health Court)
have questions about your sentence, including questions about appealing a court decision
have questions about your bail or bail conditions
aren’t sure whether you have to tell someone you’ve been charged, been to court, been convicted etc.
How to get legal advice
We may give advice on most areas of Queensland criminal law.
If you’ve been charged with a serious offence, or you have any urgent matter, you should apply for legal aid or find a private lawyer rather than waiting for a legal advice booking.
We can’t give advice about participating in a Crime and Corruption Commission interview about official misconduct.
We can’t give advice about interstate criminal law. If you’ve been charged or are going to court in another state or territory, contact the relevant Legal Aid office for information and advice.
The following services may be able to give you legal advice and help.
Community legal centres give free legal advice and information on criminal law. Contact them to find out if they can help.
Queensland Law Society can refer you to a specialist private lawyer for advice or representation on criminal law matters.
Interstate Legal Aid Commissions can give information and advice on criminal charges or court appearances outside Queensland.
Important:
If you are charged with an offence, you should ask police prosecutions for a copy of your Queensland Police form 9 (QP9)—this is a written summary prepared by the police of the allegations against you. You should get your QP9 before getting legal advice. You can get your QP9 from the police prosecutor on your first court date (the duty lawyer may be able to help you). If you can’t collect the QP9 on your first court date, you’ll need to apply to police prosecutions for a copy. To do this, you will generally need to make a written request and show photo ID.
Who else can help?
The following organisations may also be able to help. They do not give legal advice.
Queensland Courts provides information about the courts including (but not limited to):
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