Your Court Day
Come to court in good, clean clothes.
When you come through the entrance doors, tell the security people why you are there. Then go through the security screening.
Check with the court staff at the registry that your name is on the court list. You should then wait outside the courtroom you are to appear in.
If you are in a detention centre, you will be brought to court.
Your parents should also come to court. When they arrive they should let the court staff and the court orderly know that they are there. Your parents will be called into the courtroom when it's your turn to appear.
If you are in a detention centre, you might attend court by a video link from the detention centre to the court.
Your parents should still come to the Children's Court to be in the courtroom when you are on the video link.
You should get legal advice before you go into court.
There is a Legal Aid duty lawyer in all Children's Courts. The Aboriginal Legal Service are also available in most courts. They can give you free legal advice.
If you haven't seen a lawyer before the day you go to court, you should arrive early and ask to see the duty lawyer.
You will need your court papers and any other papers the police gave you when you were arrested.
The duty lawyer might represent you in court, they will talk for you. They might also need to talk to your parents.
If you need legal help you can contact:
Legal Aid Youth Law Team on 1300 650 579
Aboriginal Legal Service on 08 9265 6666 or freecall 1800 019 900.
You can bring some food and drinks into the court waiting area. Hot food or drinks in hard or glass containers are not permitted. There is a vending machine and water fountains in the court waiting area.
Last updated: 10 April 2024