You have the right to defend yourself at all stages of the administrative offences procedure.
This means that you can defend yourself before the court, either in person or through another person. This other person, your defender, might be a qualified lawyer, other legal assistant or even your relative if he/she has a degree of law. If you are still a minor your representatives might be your parents or tutors.
It makes no difference whether you defend yourself, or if you are defended by another person, or by a qualified lawyer. In all cases you will have the same rights, as well as the obligation to comply with all time limits and to submit all the documents required by the court.
Depending on your financial situation, you might be entitled to free legal aid. Read more about legal aid.
Appropriate time and facilities
You, or your defender, must be given the appropriate time and facilities to prepare your defence. This means, for example, that:
- all charges must be communicated to you in a timely fashion
- you must be given access to the evidence in your case
- you must have an opportunity to challenge the evidence and give your opinion and arguments.
You, or your defender, must be given access to the case file and the opportunity to be present at the hearing of your case in court.