The trial hearing - Criminal trials
At trial, the Magistrate can help you understand the court procedure and the rules of evidence. They can't give you legal advice or help you win your case, but they can explain what is happening and what your options are.
If you listen carefully to the Magistrate, you should be able to follow what is going on.
Each trial will usually follow the same steps (click picture to enlarge):
- the prosecution presents their evidence
- you present your evidence
- you both make submissions about what decisions the magistrate should make about the evidence and the law (closing address), and
- the magistrate gives their verdict.
You can find out more about these steps in the pages below.
If you are impacted by the regional court closures between 1 June and 28 August and you don’t think you can attend court in person, it’s important to let the court know.
Your lawyer or Legal Aid WA can help you do this.
Contact your local Legal Aid WA office or the Legal Aid WA Infoline for advice and help.
Disclaimer
The information displayed on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should
see a lawyer. Legal Aid Western Australia aims to provide information that is accurate, however does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the
information provided on this page or incorporated into it by reference.
