Arriving at court

The process for arriving at court is similar in the Magistrates Court, Supreme Court and the District Court.

Defendants and witnesses will need to wait until their case is called, so they should take the day off work and arrange childcare if needed.

The daily law lists, which are displayed on notice boards or television screens in courthouse foyers, show the cases and what courtrooms they will be heard in each day.

For further information, take the virtual tour or visit the Queensland Courts website

• arrive early at court
• bring a family member or friend for support
• bring any paperwork and a pen
• bring food and drink for outside the courtroom (a café is located in or near some courts)
• check with security about what they can bring into the courthouse.

Defendants

It is very important that you do not miss your court appearance. When you arrive, the process is similar in the Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court.

You need to go to the counter with the Registry sign on it to:

• ask what courtroom your case is in. You can also look it up on the daily law list, which is displayed on notice boards or television screens in courthouse foyers. These lists show the cases and what courtrooms they will be heard in each day
• request an interpreter if you need one
• in the Magistrates Court, if you need to, ask for a duty lawyer and tell the counter staff to let the depositions clerk and prosecutor know you are seeing a duty lawyer.
• ask if there are any volunteers from organisations like the Salvation Army, drug services or other organisations that can provide you with free counselling and support before and after court.

In the Magistrates Court, defendants should wait to be called and in the District Court they can check with the bailiff when the judge is ready to hear the matter.

In the Supreme Court defendants should wait inside the courtroom and check with the bailiff when the trial will commence.

Defendants in custody will be brought to court by correctional officers or police in regional areas.