Lawyers

If you have a lawyer, they will speak for you in Court. If you do not have a lawyer, and you would like to have a lawyer, then you need to tell the Magistrate about that. Usually, for criminal and domestic violence matters there is a person present outside the courtrooms called a ‘duty lawyer’ who represents an organisation called Legal Aid Queensland. You can approach them, and in some cases, they will represent you that day, depending on what your case is about. Otherwise, they may be able to assist you to understand what will happen that day in Court. 

However, you are entitled to represent yourself and speak for yourself in Court. If that is what you want to do, then you need to tell the Magistrate about that. If at some stage you change your mind, you can still use a lawyer at any stage of the proceedings.