Criminal cases in the Magistrates Court

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence you may have to go to court. It’s up to the magistrate to hear the evidence and decide if you’re guilty and what your penalty should be.

When you need legal advice

Get 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 (i.e. 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

Criminal cases in the Magistrates Court

If you're 17 or older and you have been charged with a criminal offence 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. 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 work and organise childcare (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 that 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.

Learn more about pleading guilty

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.

Learn more about pleading not guilty

You should get legal advice.

Who else will be in the court room?

The Magistrates Court is an open court (i.e. any person can watch the cases), unless any of the below apply:

  • it is a matter involving children attending court or giving evidence
  • someone is asking for a domestic violence order
  • 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 jail

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.
  • 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.

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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 (i.e. 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
  • 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.

How to get legal advice

We can’t give advice about:

  • participating in a Crime and Corruption Commission interview about official misconduct
  • 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.

What to do if you’ve been charged with an offence

We may give advice on most areas of Queensland criminal law.

Contact us

Other places to get legal advice:

Related information

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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