If you still have them, it is helpful to take your charge sheets and copy of your taped record of interview with you. Your lawyer will then know exactly what you have been charged with, your court date and what you have told the police. Your lawyer will then also have the name of the police officer who charged you so that they can write to request their evidence, which is called the police brief.

It is useful to take a copy of your health care card and recent pay slips so that your lawyer can apply for legal aid.

The police brief contains a summary of the offence, witness statements, a list of any exhibits and your prior convictions. Your lawyer will organise for the police brief to be obtained. Until your lawyer has a copy of the police brief, they are unlikely to be able to give you advice on whether or not to plead guilty.