If you have been sent a letter to attend Court, this page will provide you will all the information you need -
Here are some Do's and Dont's for attending Court -
| Do's | Dont's |
|---|---|
|
You must do what your bail notice tells you |
You must not miss court |
| Get a solicitor | You must not be late |
| Take your parents to court with you | Do not arrive under the influence of drugs or alcohol |
| Take any official papers you are given with you | Do not take a knife, weapon or any sharp objects with you as you will be searched on arrival |
It is very important that you attend court on time
If you miss court -
- the court may ask the police to find and arrest you
- you might have to stay in a police cell until you go to court
- you might not get bail in future
- the trial could start without you, and you won’t be able to tell your side of the story
Do what your bail notice tells you
If you are given bail by the court, stay out of trouble. Stay safe. Don’t break the law.
If you are released to go home after you have been charged, this means you are on bail. What does this mean?
- bail means you are being trusted to behave until you go to court
- you must be at court on the day and time you are told to be there
- you will get a piece of paper, called a bail notice, that explains what you have to do
- ask for help if you don’t understand
Get a solicitor
The police and court will want to hear what you have to say. A solicitor will help you tell your side of the story. The earlier you get a solicitor, the better it is for you. They will help you apply for legal aid to pay for their work. Never miss meetings with your solicitor.
Speak to a solicitor as soon as you can. Don’t wait until you go to court. Always turn up for meetings. Tell the solicitor your side of the story. They can help you in court. Your solicitor will tell you your rights and how to apply for legal aid to pay for their work. If you don’t find a solicitor, as soon as you arrive at court ask to see the duty solicitor to help you.
If you need to find a solicitor near your home, you can contact the Civil Legal Service online or by phone on 0345 345 4345.
Your parent or carer must be at court with you
If they cannot attend court, take someone with you who is over 18.
Tell them the day and time that you need to be in court.
If your parent or carer does not go to court with you, your case may be delayed until they come to court.
Illness
If you are too ill to attend court, you must tell this to the court. Your solicitor and you must get a note from your doctor that says you are too ill to go to court.
Disability or special needs
If you, your parents, or carer need additional help or support because of disability, contact the court a few days before the day you have to be at court.
Our Role
The Youth Offending Team are here to help you and your family at every stage of the court process.
The court may ask you to talk to us. We want to help you to stay out of trouble in future.
Listen carefully to what you are told by the court and the court officer. If you don’t, you could go back to court and get a different sentence.
If you don’t understand what the court tells you, ask them to explain.