Criminal Lawyers for Disrespectful Behaviour in Court

Disrespectful behaviour in court is an offence under:

• Section 24A of the Local Court Act 2007,
• Section 200A of the District Court Act 1973,
• Section 131 of the Supreme Court Act 1970, and
• Section 103A of the Coroners Act 2009.

The sections state that a person is guilty of the offence if he or she:

1. Is a defendant in, or party to, proceedings in the Local, District, or Supreme Court, or has been called to give evidence in one of those courts, or is a person appearing in, or being represented in Coronial proceedings, or has been called to give evidence in those proceedings, and
2. Engages in behaviour which is disrespectful to the court in the case of Local, District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the coronial proceedings in the case of proceedings under the Coroners Act, or to the magistrate in Local Court proceedings, or the judge in District or Supreme Court proceedings, or the Coroner or Assistant Coroner in coronial proceedings, in accordance with established court practice and convention, and
3. Engages in the behaviour intentionally.

The legislation does not define ‘disrespectful conduct’, but the courts have found that it must be conduct that goes against ‘established court practice and convention’.

So, for example, in the case of devout Muslim woman Moutiaa El-Zahed, the court found that failing to stand in court before a judge amounted to disrespectful conduct because standing before a presiding member of the judiciary is a well-established convention.

Other practices and conventions include:

• Not using profanity unless required; for example, when you are testifying as a witness and you’re repeating something that was said,
• Not burping or farting out loud, or
• Bowing to the presiding judicial officer when entering and leaving court (although it is arguable whether breaching this convention would amount to an offence).

The maximum penalty for disrespectful behaviour in court is 14 days in prison and/or 10 penalty units.

However, is important to bear in mind that this is the maximum sentence that can be imposed, and that the court can apply any of the following penalties:

• Section 10 Dismissal
• Conditional Release Order
• Fine
• Community Correction Order
• Intensive Correction Order
• A shorter prison sentence

For a person to be found guilty of disrespectful behaviour in court, the prosecution must establish each of the following ‘elements’ (or ingredients) of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt that:

1. The defendant was in, or a party to proceedings in the Local, District, or Supreme Court, or was a person called to give evidence in one of those courts, or was a person appearing in, or being represented in Coronial proceedings, or was called to give evidence in those proceedings, and

2. The defendant engaged in behaviour that was disrespectful to the court in the case of Local, District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the coronial proceedings in the case of proceedings under the Coroners Act, or to the magistrate in Local Court proceedings, or the judge in District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the Coroner or Assistant Coroner in coronial proceedings, and
3. The conduct was contrary to established court practice and convention, and
4. The conduct was intentional.

The prosecution will fail if it cannot prove each of these elements to the required standard.

In addition to the requirement to prove each element of the offence, the prosecution must also disprove any of the following defences if properly raised:

• Duress, which is where you were threatened or coerced,
• Necessity, where the act was necessary to avert danger, and
• Self-defence, where you engaged in the act to defend yourself or another

It must disprove any such defences beyond all reasonable doubt.

Before you can be found guilty of disrespectful behaviour in court, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

1. You were a defendant in, or a party to, proceedings in the Local, District or Supreme Court, or a person called to give evidence in one of those courts, or were a person appearing in, or being represented in Coronial proceedings, or were called to give evidence in those proceedings, and

2. You engaged in behaviour that was disrespectful to the court in the case of Local, District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the coronial proceedings in the case of proceedings under the Coroners Act, or to the magistrate in Local Court proceedings, or the judge in District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the Coroner or Assistant Coroner in coronial proceedings, and
3. Your conduct was contrary to established court practice and convention, and
4. Your conduct was intentional.

There are a number of ways to defend a charge of disrespectful behaviour in court, including raising the fact that:

1. The prosecution cannot prove you were a defendant in, or a party to proceedings in the Local, District or Supreme Court, or a person called to give evidence in one of those courts, or were a person appearing in, or being represented in Coronial proceedings, or were called to give evidence in those proceedings, or
2. The prosecution cannot prove you engaged in behaviour that was disrespectful to the court in the case of Local, District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the coronial proceedings in the case of proceedings under the Coroners Act, or to the magistrate in Local Court proceedings, or the judge in District or Supreme Court proceedings, or to the Coroner or Assistant Coroner in coronial proceedings, or
3. The prosecution cannot prove your conduct was contrary to established court practice and convention, or
4. The prosecution cannot prove your conduct was intentional, or
5. You have a valid legal defence which the prosecution cannot disprove beyond a reasonable doubt.

If any of these matters prevail, you must be found not guilty of the offence.

A good lawyer will be able to make written submissions to the prosecution with a view to having the case against you withdrawn, or fight to have it thrown out of court if it proceeds to a defended hearing or trial.

Where the prosecution evidence is very strong, you may decide to plead guilty to the offence.

In that case, your lawyer may be able to negotiate the police ‘facts’ to reduce the seriousness of the offence.

Your lawyer can also guide you on obtaining materials that can be handed up to the court during your sentencing – including a letter of apology, character references and any documents from counsellors or health care professionals you have consulted.

These materials, together with persuasive verbal submissions by your lawyer in the courtroom, can help to ensure you receive the most lenient penalty that is possible in the circumstances.

By pleading guilty at an early stage, you will also be entitled to a ‘discount’ of up to 25% on your sentence – which can lead to a less serious type of penalty being imposed; for example, a section 10 dismissal or a conditional release order rather than a more serious penalty.

You will also be spared the time, expense and stress of a defended hearing or trial.

Going to court can be nerve-racking, but having a strong and compassionate legal team behind you can make the experience significantly easier to deal with.

Here are 12 reasons to choose our multi-award winning legal team:

1. Proven Track Record of Exceptional Results

   Sydney Criminal Lawyers® consistently achieves outcomes which are in the highest percentile of the Judicial Commission’s sentencing statistics for criminal cases.

   Our legal team devises effective case-strategies and fights hard to have cases dropped entirely or charges downgraded – saving clients the time, expense and stress of a defended hearing or jury trial.

   Where cases nevertheless proceed, our lawyers have an outstanding track record of winning defended Local Court hearings, and complex jury trials in the District and Supreme Courts.

   We also consistently win appeals in the District and Supreme Courts (including the NSWCCA) after clients have received unsatisfactory results with other law firms in the lower courts.We are one of the few firms to achieve successful criminal law appeals in the High Court of Australia.

   Where our clients wish to plead guilty, we frequently achieve ‘dismissals’ and ‘non convictions’ in cases where other lawyers have advised there is no chance of doing so.

2. Highest Level of Client Satisfaction

   We have the best and most comprehensive client review record of any law firm in Australia.

   Regular communication, accessibility and quality service are our team’s highest priorities.

   We are committed to thoroughly explaining all steps involved in the criminal law process, providing regular updates throughout the proceedings, and making ourselves accessible and responsive.

   We are passionate about providing an exceptional level of service to our clients, and we fight hard to achieve optimal results in the shortest period of time.

3. Australia’s Most Awarded Criminal Law Firm
   

   We have received more awards and accolades than any other criminal law firm in Australia. Our team has been awarded “Criminal Defence Firm of the Year in Australia” in a number of prestigious and competitive awards programs for several years running.

   The awards recognise our exceptional track record of results, our outstanding client service, the high level of satisfaction we achieve, the affordability of our services and our overall excellence.

4. Fixed Fees
   

   We want our clients to know exactly how much their cases will cost from the very start. That’s why we were the first criminal law firm in Australia to publish ‘fixed fees’, back in 2004.

   We offer fixed fees for most types of criminal cases and services.Our fixed fees apply to a range of Local Court cases such as drink driving, drug possession, fraud, common assault and AVOs, and also specific services such as prison visits, bail applications, appeals and defended hearings.

   Unlike many other law firms, our fixed fees are published on our website – which ensures transparency and certainty.

5. Free First Appointment
   

   For those who are going to court, we offer a free first conference of up to an hour with one of our Senior Criminal Defence Lawyers.

   We also offer a free first conference to those who have received an unsatisfactory result after being represented in court by another law firm, or after representing themselves, and wish to appeal.

6. Specialist Lawyer Guarantee
   

   We guarantee that only lawyers with substantial criminal defence experience will work on your case and appear for you in court.

   This ensures our clients receive the highest quality representation from an experienced, specialist criminal lawyer.

7. All NSW Courts
   

   From Bombala to Broken Hill, our lawyers appear in courts throughout New South Wales – and across Australia for Commonwealth cases.

   And we offer fixed fees for most criminal and traffic law cases throughout the state.

8. Accredited Specialists

   Our entire firm is exclusively dedicated to criminal law – which makes us true specialists.

   All of our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in criminal cases, and our principal has been certified by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 2005.

   An ‘Accredited Specialist’ is a lawyer who has practised for at least 5 years in a particular field of law (such as criminal law), has passed a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Law Society of NSW, and has been selected by the Specialist Accreditation Committee of the Law Society as an expert in the field.

   Accredited Specialists are required to undertake more training each year than other lawyers and must be successful in having their accreditation renewed every year. Specialist Accreditation is the mark of a true specialist.

   Our firm’s specialist experience ensures you receive the best possible result, whatever your criminal law case may be.

9. Results-Focused Law Firm
   

   Our team is passionate about achieving results, and unlike many other law firms, our lawyers do not have monthly financial ‘budgets’ to meet.

   The absence of budgets means our lawyers are entirely focused on achieving optimal results in the shortest space of time; whether by getting charges dropped or downgraded at an early stage or having cases ‘thrown out of court’.

   Not having budgets also means our lawyers are not under pressure to engage in unscrupulous practices such as unnecessarily adjourning cases or ‘overcharging’ clients – which, sadly, is a common complaint against many other lawyers and law firms.

   No budgets encourages regular consultation between lawyers within the firm – promoting an ‘open door’, team environment where lawyers bounce ideas off one another, formulate case strategy together and benefit from each other’s specialised experience, methods, techniques and insights.

   The result is a firm which delivers optimal outcomes in the shortest time periods, at the least expense and stress to our clients.

10. Team of Lawyers Behind You
    

    Our clients benefit from the pool of knowledge that only an extensive team of experienced criminal defence lawyers can provide.

    Our lawyers regularly consult one another to stay ‘ahead of the pack’ in the ever-changing field of criminal law – constantly devising, refining and implementing specialised techniques which ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcomes.

    A team approach is particularly important when it comes to serious criminal cases such as murder, commercial drug cases, serious and sexual assaults, large-scale fraud, robbery and other ‘indictable’ cases.

    In such matters, clients reap the benefits of several lawyers devising and executing case strategies which maximise the chances of having cases dropped or downgraded at an early stage, or ‘thrown out of court’ – often saving clients a great deal of cost, time and anxiety.

11. Familiar with Magistrates and Judges
    

    Each of our lawyers appears in court on a daily basis, and has done so for years. We have therefore been able to develop an understanding of, and rapport with, magistrates and judges in Sydney and indeed across the state.

    Our team’s extensive experience before the courts ensures your case is tailored to the specific nuances of individual judicial officers, maximising the likelihood of a favourable result.

12. Convenience
    

    We have offices in locations across the Sydney Metropolitan Area and beyond, including:

    • the Sydney CBD, on Castlereagh Street, directly opposite Downing Centre Court,
    • Parramatta, opposite the Justice Precinct carpark,
    • Liverpool, and
    • Sutherland.

    We offer free parking at our Sydney CBD offices, and all of our offices are close to train stations and bus terminals.

    For those who are unable to attend our offices, we offer conferences by telephone, Skye and FaceTime anywhere around the world.

    If you are going to court and wish to arrange a free first consultation, call our 24 hour hotline on (02) 9261 8881 or send us an email at info@sydneycriminallawyers.com.au.

The legislation does not define ‘disrespectful conduct’, but the courts have found that it must be conduct that goes against ‘established court practice and convention’.

So, for example, in the case of devout Muslim woman Moutiaa El-Zahed, the court found that failing to stand in court before a judge amounted to disrespectful conduct because standing before a presiding member of the judiciary is a well-established convention.

Other practices and conventions include:

• Not using profanity unless required; for example, when you are testifying as a witness and you’re repeating something that was said,
• Not burping or farting out loud, or
• Bowing to the presiding judicial officer when entering and leaving court (although it is arguable whether breaching this convention would amount to an offence).