What is a “Court Attendance Notice” in NSW
A “Court Attendance Notice” of CAN is a document prepared by police setting out the charges the alleged offender faces and advising them of the date and location of their first Court appearance.
A “Field Court Attendance Notice” is a small yellow document issued by police on the spot to an alleged offender. Like a regular “Court Attendance Notice” it specifies the charges and date and location on which the recipient must attend Court. There is no “Fact Sheet” with a “Field Court Attendance Notice”. That will be provided at Court or sometimes posted to the accused person’s home address.
If you are on bail you must attend court. Otherwise, you can send a “Written Notice of Pleading” or have a lawyer appear on your behalf. If you don’t attend Court of have someone represent you in your absence you may be convicted and a bench warrant issue.
A “Written Notice of Pleading” is a document advising the court of whether you wish to plead guilty or not guilty to the offences you are charges with. You should never submit a written notice of pleading without receiving legal advice, otherwise you may be convicted in your absence which will appear on your criminal record.
On the first court date you are expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If your plea is guilty then the matter may proceed immediately to sentence. Otherwise, it will be adjourned for a defended hearing. You should never enter a plea without receiving legal advice.
