Different ways your case can finalise in the Magistrates Court

If you have been charged by the police, you might be surprised to know that there are five ways your case can finalise in the Magistrates' Court. Three out of five of the ways leave you with no criminal record for those charges. This article will explain the five different ways in which your criminal matter can finalise in the Magistrates' Court.

Charges withdrawn by the prosecution

It is your right to contest charges if you don't agree with them. It is on the prosecution to prove your guilt 'beyond reasonable doubt'. If the police case is seriously weak or flawed, a lawyer can assist you in trying to get the charges withdrawn against you without going to a contested hearing. Your lawyer can review the brief of evidence, hear your side of the story and highlight the issues with the brief and why the charges should be withdrawn to the prosecution. This sometimes happens before the first Court hearing. If the charges are withdrawn, the matter is finalised and you