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A criminal charge

Information for adults about your rights when dealing with the police and going to court.

  • Alert

    Alert

    If you are under 18 years old, different rules and rights apply when you are dealing with the police or going to court. For more information about criminal charges if you are under 18 years, old, see Youth Hotline.

Police have powers to help them carry out their job.

The law also gives you rights when you are dealing with police or going to court for a criminal offence. 

If you have received a Court Attendance Notice, you will have to go to court and you should get legal advice before your court date.

Police might release you on bail if they charge you with an offence, or you might need to go to court to get bail. 

If you are not happy with the Court decision, you may be able to appeal that decision. 

If you are found guilty of certain offences, Victims Services may contact you to recover money they paid to a victim of your offence.

Police powers and my rights

Police and my rights

Police and my rights

Find out about police powers and your rights and responsibilities when dealing with police.
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If you have been charged with an offence

Assault

Assault

Find out more about going to court if you have been charged with assault.
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Destroy or damage property

Destroy or damage property

Find out more about going to court for the charge of destroying or damaging property.
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Stealing

Stealing

Find out more about going to court if you have been charged with stealing.
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Drugs

Drugs

Find out what to do if you have to go to court for a drug offence.
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Driving offences

Driving offences

Find out more about going to court for a driving offence.
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Going to court

Going to court

Find out more about what happens if you need to go to court.
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Bail

Bail

Bail

Find out more about what bail is, how to get it and bail conditions.
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After court

After court

After court

Find out more about what happens after court, including information about appeals.
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Restitution

Restitution

Find out what to do if you have received an Order for Restitution from Victims Services or Revenue NSW.
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Forms

Forms - A criminal charge

The instructions, sample forms and other documents in the A criminal charge topic.

Resources

Going to court

This guide explains what to do if you have received a Court Attendance Notice for a criminal offence and have to go to a Local Court in New South Wales.

Police powers

This factsheet may help you to understand police powers and what rights and responsibilities you have in different situations.