How can a duty lawyer help me with an offence that will be sent to the District or Supreme Court or before the President of the Children's Court?

While your charge is still listed in the Magistrates Court or in the Children's Court before a magistrate, the duty lawyer can advise you about:

    the seriousness of your charge/s
    the court (District or Supreme) in which your charge will be dealt with
    any issues you may have in relation to bail
    what is likely to happen to you in court
    court processes

While your charge is still listed in the Magistrates Court or in the Children's Court before a magistrate, the duty lawyer is able to represent you (appear for you) to:

    apply for bail
    apply for more time for you to find a private lawyer or apply for legal aid.

For matters that will be sent to the District or Supreme Court or before the President of the Children's Court, the duty lawyer cannot represent you on a plea of guilty or not guilty unless you already have a lawyer representing you and that lawyer has asked the duty lawyer to look after you on that day. If you already have a lawyer representing you it is always better for that lawyer to appear for you instead of the duty lawyer as your own lawyer will know more about you and more about your case.

Well before you are due to appear in the District or Supreme Court or before the President of the Children's Court, it is very important that you get your own private lawyer or apply for legal aid. The duty lawyer can help you to fill out an application for legal aid.