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This information is general and not a substitute for legal advice. The Legal Services Commission provides free advice for most legal problems. Contact the Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424 or visit www.lsc.sa.gov.au or www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you need to get legal advice. You should contact your lawyer or call legal aid on 1300 366 424.
If you want to apply for legal aid you should do this as soon as possible.
If you are thinking about pleading guilty, you should get urgent legal advice. You should discuss the benefits of an early guilty plea with a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you tell the court about your plea, the greater the possible reduction in sentence.
If you plead guilty within 4 weeks of your first court date you may receive a substantial discount on your sentence. After 4 weeks the possible discount reduces.
A sentence can include:
| From 1st court date up to 4 weeks after: | Not less than 4 weeks before trial: | Up to day of trial: |
| Discount up to 40% | Discount up to 30% | Discount up to 10% |
| From 1st court date up to 4 weeks after: | More than 4 weeks after but before committal: | At committal for trial: | Up to arraignment: | Up to day of trial: |
| Discount Serious Indictable Offence: 25% Other Indictable Offence: 35% | Discount Serious Indictable Offence: 15% Other Indictable Offence: 25% | Discount Serious Indictable Offence: 10% Other Indictable Offence: 15% | Discount Serious Indictable Offence: 5% Other Indictable Offence: 10% | Discount All indictable offences: 5% |
8 November 2023
We embrace diversity and welcome all people, irrespective of culture, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Legal Services acknowledges Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and ongoing occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia and we respect their spiritual, cultural and heritage beliefs. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay our deep respect to Elders past and present.
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