After court

If you decided to plead guilty, or if you were found guilty after a hearing, the Court will sentence you, which means it will decide on a penalty.

If you need help to understand the court orders, you should get legal advice. 

Aboriginal people can get help to understand court orders by speaking to an Aboriginal Service Unit worker at the Local Court, or by calling the Aboriginal Services Unit on 1300 679 272.

​​Losing your licence

If you are guilty of a driving offence, the Court may disqualify you from driving for a period of time. 

If you were found guilty of a driving offence including alcohol, the Court may make a Mandatory Interlock Order.

If the Court has disqualified you, you may be able to apply to get the disqualification removed or quashed depending on when you were disqualified and whats orders were made.

For more information, see Losing your licence.

Paying a court fine

The Court may decide to give you a fine in addition to another penalty or as a penalty by itself. If you have been given a fine, the Court will send you a Notice of Penalty.

For more information, see Paying a court fine.

Paying costs

If you have been found guilty, the Court might make orders that you pay costs. The costs you may have to pay include:

• court costs levy
• victims support levy
• prosecutor's costs
• criminal compensation.

If you are found not guilty and you are represented by a lawyer, you can ask the Court to order that the prosecution pay your legal costs.

For more information, see Paying costs.

Driving and criminal records 

If you have been found guilty and convicted, there will be a record of the conviction. Depending on the type of offence, it may be recorded on your driving record or your criminal record.

For more information, see Driving and criminal records.

Appealing the decision

If you are not happy with the decision of the Local Court, you can appeal to the District Court within 28 days, or three months with leave (permission) of the Court.

You may be able to appeal:

• your conviction, if you believe you are not guilty
• your sentence, if you believe it is too harsh
• the decision of the Court to dismiss your Annulment Application.

If you pleaded guilty and now want to appeal your conviction, you must apply for leave (permission) of the Court to appeal.

For more information, see Appealing the decision.

If you miss court

If you didn't turn up to court you may have been found guilty without being there. For more information about what to do in this situation, see If you miss court.