Criminal Law Glossary

A court finding of guilt with no conviction recorded, with or without conditions attached.

A good behaviour bond without conviction; breaching its conditions can result in a conviction being recorded.

A court order protecting a person from violence, harassment or intimidation. Breaching one is a criminal offence.

An AVO between people who have or had a domestic relationship, protecting against domestic violence.

A driver's blood alcohol concentration, ranging from novice/special (zero) through low, mid and high range.

Release from custody while a criminal matter is before the court, with or without conditions.

A short procedural court listing to confirm a plea, set a timetable, or check on progress.

The document formally notifying you of a charge and your first required court date.

An on-the-spot fine police can issue for minor larceny instead of a court attendance notice.

A voluntary NSW Local Court program connecting eligible defendants with drug and alcohol treatment before sentencing.

A legal presumption that drugs held above a set quantity were possessed for supply, not personal use.

A more serious offence that can proceed to the District or Supreme Court, sometimes before a jury.

A less serious offence finalised in the Local Court before a Magistrate, without a jury.

NSW's first-instance criminal court, handling summary offences, AVOs, bail applications and committal hearings.

Hears more serious indictable offences and appeals from decisions made in the Local Court.

NSW's highest court, hearing the most serious criminal matters and complex bail applications.

A Local Court process assessing whether there's enough evidence for an indictable matter to proceed to trial.

A lawyer available at court on the day, free of charge, for people without their own representation.

An electronic breath-testing device wired to a vehicle's ignition, mandatory for certain drink driving offenders.

Points recorded against your licence for traffic offences; accumulating enough can trigger a suspension.

Supervised release from prison before a full sentence is served, subject to conditions.

A challenge to a conviction or sentence, made to a higher court within strict time limits.

A court-ordered loss of driving privileges for a set period, separate from an administrative suspension.

A written statement from someone who knows you, given to the court to support sentencing.

A contested court session where evidence is presented and a Magistrate or Judge decides the outcome.

Your formal response to a charge - guilty or not guilty - entered before the court.

Being held in custody while a criminal matter is before the court, when bail is refused.

A conviction that becomes eligible for non-disclosure after a waiting period, for certain lower-level offences.

A mental health diversion application that can lead to charges being dismissed without conviction.

Dishonestly taking someone else's property without consent, intending to permanently deprive them of it.

Intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property belonging to someone else, without lawful excuse.

Using or threatening unlawful violence that would cause a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety.

A legal defence where your actions were a reasonable response to a genuinely perceived threat.