​Going to court

This figure is a flow chart with labelled boxes linked by lines.  The flowchart describes the action that you can take if you received a Court Attendance Notice (CAN). 

Each box in the flow chart contains a hyperlink to further information. 

The action you take will depend on your responses to each step in the flow chart. The flowchart is described as a list of 7 steps in which possible actions are listed beneath each step.

Step 1. You receive a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) [link to Going to court] Possible action:

• You send in a Written Notice of Pleading [link to Going to court]. Go to Step 2.

• You go to court [link to Mention]. Go to Step 5.

• You do nothing [link to Mention]. Go to Step 6.

Step 2. You send in a Written Notice of Pleading [link to Going to court]. Possible action:

• You plead guilty in writing and you are sentenced by the magistrate [link to Pleading guilty in writing].  Go to Step 3.

• You plead not guilty in writing and receive a letter with a court date [link to Pleading not guilty in writing]. Go to Step 4.
  

Step 3. The court makes a decision and may send you a Notice of Penalty [link to Flowchart: After Court].

Step 4.  You go to court [link to Preparing for the hearing – Step by Step guide]. Possible action:

• The magistrate decides you are not guilty and the case is dismissed [link to Presenting your case at the hearing – Step by Step guide].

• The magistrate decides you are guilty and sentences you [link to Presenting your case at the hearing – Step by Step guide]. Go to Step 3.

Step 5. You go to court [link to Mention]. Possible action:

• You plead not guilty and are given a court date [link to Pleading not guilty]. Go to Step 4.

• You plead guilty and are sentenced by the magistrate [link to Pleading guilty].  Go to Step 3.

Step 6. You do nothing [link to Mention]. Possible action:

• The case is adjourned (postponed) to another court date [link to Mention].  Go to Step 7.

• The magistrate decides you are guilty and sentences you [link to Mention].  Go to Step 3.

Step 7. You go to court. Possible action:

• You plead not guilty [link to Pleading not guilty]. Go to Step 4. 

• You plead guilty and are sentenced by the magistrate [link to Pleading guilty]. Go to Step 3.
  

Click here to return to the flowchart​.