How to Prepare for Remote Court Hearing as a Result of COVID Lockdowns

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, courts and tribunals across Australia are proactively altering how they function in order to safeguard the public. As a result, the following changes have been made:

·        Registries are closed for in-person services; instead, people are directed to phones and emails.

·        Individuals are required to submit papers through the internet, email, or fax rather than in person.

·        Hearings can be held over the phone or by video conferencing or audio Visual Link (AVL)

·        Hearings that are deemed "non-urgent" are postponed.

·        Options for more paper-based procedural choices.

·        When within the premises of the courts and tribunals, all persons are required to wear face masks and maintain social distance.

 

Depending on the severity of community transmissions, courts and tribunal measures will alter. For the most up-to-date information relevant to you, contact the specific registry dealing with your case or contact the best criminal lawyers Sydney, for tailored solutions.

 

These remote court hearings have been widely recognised as a great success around many courts and tribunals across Australia. As a result, online platforms and phone calls are likely to remain the dominant approach for court proceedings into the future.

 

So, if you have a remote court hearing approaching, the following guide outlines what you can expect in a virtual proceeding, which will ensure you are readily prepared for your remote hearing.

 

Types of Remote Hearings

If your case is scheduled for a remote hearing, the court or tribunal will notify you which type of hearing you will be expected at, which is either a regular telephone conference or a video conference on a special digital platform.

 

You should also take the following procedures to ensure that the hearing runs as smoothly as possible:

·        If you are having a witness testify, you should make sure they are well-prepared.

·        Consult your court or tribunal for instructions on what to do if your technology fails during the hearing. As a backup plan, give the court your contact details and ask for the contact details of a court member to make sure both parties can be contacted if one is having difficulty connecting.

·        Do a practice run of all the technology you need, including microphone and video function.

 

Above all, you must be in contact with your Sydney criminal defence lawyer as they will prepare you best for your hearing. Whether you plan to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, having expert counsel and representation from skilled Sydney criminal lawyers will make all the difference in the result of your case.

 

For example, talk to your Sydney criminal lawyer about where you should take the call; they could suggest taking the call from their office. If not, focus your thoughts on a suitable place at home. You should choose a peaceful location which has a good internet connection and provides you with privacy.

 

Entering the Remote Hearing

When you connect to the applicable digital platform on the day of the hearing, you will be put in a virtual waiting room. You are in a hearing once admitted from the waiting area and can see the other parties in the hearing. All of the same regulations that apply to in-person hearings will apply from then on.

 

Since a remote hearing is as formal as a real hearing, make sure you:

·        Dress for the occasion.

·        Follow the guidelines for when to talk and when to speak directly to the court or panel.

·        If you're not speaking, turn off your phone or microphone to avoid feedback or noise.

·        Respectfully address other hearing participants by using their formal titles.

 

Before the hearing begins, make sure all the individuals you anticipate being there are, such as:

·        Your Sydney criminal defence lawyers.

·        A social worker, advocate, or support person if arranged for.

·        Other parties involved in the proceedings, such as co-applicants or co-defendants, if you requested one.

 

Presenting Evidence

During the hearing, you may be expected to provide documents to the court or tribunal, just as you would in an in-person hearing. If you have hired an experienced Sydney criminal lawyer, they will have prepared everything required from you, such as submitting all necessary documents to be used as evidence in advance of the hearing.

 

Your Sydney criminal defence lawyer will also provide you with a copy of the opposition's paperwork. Your lawyer will also share documents across the digital platforms for you to provide evidence at the hearing.

 

Examining Witnesses

In remote hearings, the same rules that apply to in-person witness examinations also apply, requiring witnesses to be neutral and honest. To guarantee a smooth witness examination, your Sydney criminal defence lawyers will make sure your witness:

·        Attends the hearing with their own device and is in a different room from you.

·        Is aware that they must wait patiently in the remote hearing's waiting area and be prepared to give their testimony as soon as they are admitted.

·        Interacts exclusively with the hearing while delivering evidence. The court or tribunal may interpret your witness's behaviour as interference if they look to be following orders from or conversing with someone offscreen.

 

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Remote Hearing?

Whether it is over video conference or in-person, attending court can be stressful, which is why you should hire experienced Sydney criminal lawyers.

 

Anyone charged with a criminal crime and is appearing virtually before the local court, magistrates court, children's court, youth court, district and country court, supreme court, federal courts, or the high court in Sydney can benefit from the services of a Sydney criminal lawyer.

 

To highlight the importance of hiring a reputable Sydney criminal lawyer for your court hearing, here are a few benefits that a Sydney criminal defence lawyer will be able to provide you with:

·        Sound legal advice. For example, if you are charged with a high-level criminal offence, a Sydney criminal defence lawyer will be able to inform you about the nature of the infraction in an easy-to-understand manner, as well as clearly outline the criminal consequences you may face.

 

·        Defend your criminal case with confidence in court. Professional Sydney criminal defence lawyers will take all of the effort out of your case. Including processing all documents, adhering to frequent rigid deadlines common to criminal cases and organising persuasive arguments on your behalf.

 

·        Experience in and connections with local courts. Knowing the ins and outs of the local court you'll be facing can help devise a winning strategy for your case, with your Sydney Criminal Lawyer aware of the preferred tactics of defence to utilise while arguing in front of the court.

 

·        Help you consider all settlement options. Your Sydney criminal defence lawyer will explain all the possible implications of your actions, as well as the kind of punishment you may get if you are found guilty at trial.

 

Some people believe hiring Sydney Criminal Lawyers is an unnecessary expense. However, not hiring a Sydney criminal defence lawyer would almost certainly cost more in livelihood, social relationships, professional status and can ruin a person's reputation entirely. Get in touch with the best criminal lawyers in Sydney now for your best chance.