What happens after I am released by the police or get out on bail?

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, after you are released by the police or get out on bail, you will have to go to court. This is called your first appearance. Your first appearance will usually be a few weeks after you have been released. The courtroom you will have to go to will probably be called one of these names:

• first appearance court; or
• assignment court; or
• set date court

Depending on what you are charged with, you may have to make your first appearance in a special court that deals with only certain charges. Examples of these are:

• youth court, which deals only with youth matters; or
• domestic violence court, which deals only with domestic violence related charges.