Who will be present in the Magistrates Court?
The people listed below will be present in the Magistrates Court. (See Diagram) Magistrate The magistrate determines if there is enough evidence to “commit” the case for trial to the District Court. The magistrate is addressed as ‘Your Honour’. Defendant The defendant is the offender, the person accused of committing the offence. If the defendant is in custody they will sit in the dock next to a correctional services officer. If on bail the defendant will sit beside the defence lawyer. Depositions clerk The depositions clerk calls defendants when the magistrate is ready, records proceedings and calls each witness to give evidence. Prosecutor The prosecutor presents the case against the defendant. The prosecutor may be a police officer or a lawyer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Defence lawyer A lawyer represents the defendant. The defence lawyer may be a duty lawyer who is supplied by Legal Aid Queensland or a lawyer appointed by the defendant. Witnesses Witness
