Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Our Morwell office is closed due to renovations. The office can be contacted on (03) 5126 6444.
Or search our online legal information.

Help Before Court for criminal charges

Find out how our Help Before Court service can help you prepare if you have criminal charges and have been asked to appear at court.

On this page

Our Help Before Court service helps you prepare before you attend your court session date.

The service is:

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Ask for Help Before Court

Ask for help

How Help Before Court works

There are four simple steps to the Help Before Court process:

  • Step 1: Ask for our help

    You can ask for Help Before Court by:

  • Step 2: Our Intake Team calls you

    This will happen within four business days of you asking for our help.

    Our Intake Team will call you from a private number. We will send you an SMS before we call.

    We will ask you questions about

    • you
    • your court date
    • your criminal charges.

    This is so we can find the right help for you.

    We will provide information over the phone and/or via email. We will also refer you to other places to get help.

    If you are eligible for free legal advice, our Intake Team will refer you to one of our lawyers. If they are not available they will refer you to get Help at court with one of our duty lawyers.

  • Step 3: We get a copy of your documents

    The lawyer needs a copy of your court documents to give you legal advice. Our Intake Team will contact the agency that charged you to get your documents.

    The agency may be Victoria Police or Corrections Victoria.

  • Step 4: You get legal advice from a lawyer

    Our Intake Team will let you know which office or lawyer is helping you. Most appointments are by phone and based on the best time to contact you.

    The lawyer will let you know if they will join you in court.

Help if your case is in the Children’s Court

We prioritise children and young people. If your criminal case is in the Children's Court (usually for those people between the aged 10 to 19 years of age), you will be referred to a lawyer for legal advice.

Help in your language

We can arrange a free and confidential interpreter who speaks your language.

Let us know what language you speak, and if you want an interpreter. You can tell us when we call. You do not need to be an Australian citizen to ask for our help.

We have written information about our services in other languages.

Help if you are deaf or find it hard to hear

You can contact us using the National Relay Service or message our online Legal Help Chat.

If you ask for Help Before Court using our online form, we can arrange an Auslan interpreter for free.

Find out more about getting support if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak on the phone.

Support if you are distressed

Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support for Australians experiencing emotional distress.

You can reach out to their trained crisis support officers via:

Kids Helpline also offers 24-hour support for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years of age.

You can contact them via:

More information about Help Before Court

You can find more information about Help Before Court by visiting How Help Before Court can help you.

How we can help

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