Before prison: The criminal court process

What this chapter covers

• Introduction
• Dealing with the police
  What to do if you’re treated unfairly
• Lawyers and legal aid
  How to get legal advice and what you need to apply for legal aid
• Going to court
  What to expect, who can go with you and when you can get name suppression
• Pleading guilty or not guilty
  Help deciding what to do, what happens if you plead guilty or not guilty and changing your plea
• Te reo Māori and NZ Sign Language in court
  Your right to language, and getting an interpreter
• Restorative justice
  What is restorative justice and when you can take part
• Bail Release: into the community during your court case
  What is bail, how the judge decides to release you or not, what happens if you break bail conditions and re-applying for bail if you’re turned down
• “Remand in custody”: Being held in prison during your court case
  What happens when you’re in remand
• Your trial
  What happens at a trial and your right to be silent
• Sentencing
  How the judge decides your sentence and what sentences (other than prison) you could be given like home detention and fines
• Appeals
  When you can appeal your sentence or conviction
• Getting your fines wiped (“remitted”)
  Asking the judge and when might make your sentence longer