Have you been charged with an offence?

This guide can help you if you've been charged with a summary offence and need to appear before a magistrates court in Queensland.

Print version:

• Cover (PDF - 509Kb)
• Complete guide (PDF - 1.7M)

View online:

• How can this guide help me?
• The criminal court system
• What is a summary offence?
• Being charged with an offence
• Going to court
  • What will happen on my first mention date?
• Pleading guilty
  • How do I plead guilty in court?
• Pleading not guilty
  • Should I plead not guilty?
  • How do I prepare for the hearing?
  • The hearing
• The magistrate's decision
• Possible penalties
• Sample documents and forms
• Legal words and phrases explained

• Disclaimer
• Other languages