Prepare My Plea — Represent Yourself in Court with Professional Preparation
Personalised guilty plea preparation: $1,100 fixed fee
If you intend to plead guilty and represent yourself in court, you do not have to prepare your case entirely alone.
A plea in mitigation is your opportunity to explain your circumstances, address the offending and ask the Magistrate to impose an appropriate sentence. Knowing what information is relevant—and what is likely to distract or even harm your case—can make an important difference.
Prepare My Plea is a fixed-fee service for suitable people representing themselves in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. Christopher Sheen will review your circumstances, provide legal advice and prepare personalised plea speaking notes that present your case clearly and persuasively.
Chris prepares the plea personally. It is not a generic template or a document handed to a junior lawyer.
Professional Preparation Without the Cost of Court Representation
Full representation provides important advantages, but it may be beyond the budget of someone facing a relatively straightforward charge.
Prepare My Plea provides a practical middle ground. You present your own case in court, supported by professional legal advice and a plea prepared by an experienced lawyer and barrister.
The service is only offered where Chris considers that the matter is suitable for self-representation. If the evidence needs to be challenged, negotiations are required or the possible consequences are too serious, full representation or further legal assistance may be recommended.
No particular court result can be guaranteed. The purpose of the service is to ensure that the Magistrate receives the relevant information in a clear, accurate and properly structured way.
What Is Included?
The $1,100 fixed fee includes:
- a free 15-minute suitability call;
- review of the agreed police and court documents;
- legal advice about the charge, guilty plea and likely sentencing issues;
- a personalised plea script and speaking notes;
- advice about references and supporting documents;
- guidance on presenting the plea and answering likely questions; and
- a final discussion about the prepared plea.
What Is Not Included?
The base service does not include:
- appearing in court on your behalf;
- negotiating charges or the police summary;
- communicating with the court or prosecution;
- reviewing body-worn camera, CCTV or lengthy audio recordings;
- preparing for a contested hearing; or
- reviewing documents beyond the agreed scope.
These services may be available for an additional fixed fee or separate quote. No additional work will be undertaken until its scope and cost have been agreed.
If you later decide that you need Chris to represent you in court, representation can be discussed separately.
How it Works
Step 1 — Complete the Suitability Form
Complete the form below and provide your court date, court location, charges and a brief description of the matter.
You will also be asked whether you intend to plead guilty and whether you agree with the police summary.
Step 2 — Upload Your Court Documents
Provide the documents received from police, including your charge sheet, summons, police summary and prior history where available.
Your information should be submitted through the secure document-upload facility.
Step 3 — Free Suitability Call
Chris will speak with you for approximately 15 minutes to determine whether Prepare My Plea is appropriate.
This call is for suitability screening. The full review and legal advice occur after the service is accepted and payment is made.
Step 4 — Confirm the Fixed Fee
If the service is suitable, you will receive written confirmation of the work included, the applicable costs disclosure and an invoice for the fixed fee of $1,100.
There are no hourly charges or hidden costs within the agreed scope.
Step 5 — Preparation of Your Plea
Chris will review the agreed documents and your personal circumstances before preparing your personalised plea script and speaking notes.
The plea will address the relevant sentencing considerations, which may include:
• The circumstances of the offence;• Your plea of guilty and acceptance of responsibility;
• Your personal and employment circumstances;
• Your prior history and character;
• Rehabilitation or treatment;
• The consequences of conviction or licence loss; and
• The sentencing outcome you are asking the court to impose.
You will also receive guidance about delivering the plea and responding to questions from the Magistrate.
Is Prepare My Plea Right for You?
The service may be suitable where:
- you have been charged and intend to plead guilty;
- your matter will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria;
- you agree with the essential facts alleged by police;
- you intend to speak for yourself at court;
- you want legal advice before entering your plea; and
- you want your circumstances presented clearly and effectively.
The service may not be suitable where:
- you deny committing the offence;
- you materially dispute the police summary;
- a defence may be available;
- police negotiations are required;
- imprisonment is a realistic possibility;
- the matter involves complex or numerous charges; or
- you require a lawyer to appear in court.
Chris will assess suitability before accepting the work.
Why Have Chris Sheen Prepare Your Plea?
Chris served for 15 years with Victoria Police as a General Duties Officer, Senior Detective and Senior Prosecutor. He has since spent more than a decade defending accused people as a lawyer and barrister.
His experience enables him to understand how police prepare charges, what prosecutors are likely to emphasise and which matters are important to a Magistrate when sentencing.
Chris regularly appears in courts throughout Melbourne and Victoria. Every plea accepted through this service is reviewed and prepared by him personally.
Fixed Fee — $1,100
Prepare My Plea costs $1,100 as a fixed fee for the agreed work.
Reviewing body-worn camera footage, CCTV or extensive additional documents is not included. Negotiating with police and appearing in court are also separate services.
If additional work may assist your case, Chris will explain why and provide a quote before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Whether Your Case Is Suitable
Complete the form below and provide:
• Your name;• Telephone number;
• Email address;
• Court location;
• Court date;
• Charge or charges;
• Whether you intend to plead guilty;
• Whether you agree with the police summary;
• A brief description of the matter; and
• Copies of your police and court documents.
Christopher will contact you to determine whether the Prepare My Plea service is suitable for your case.
Request a Consultation
Simply fill out the form with your contact details to arrange an initial consultation.
To provide the most efficient and cost-effective traffic law service, consultations are done through Zoom or Microsoft teams. Meetings may be arranged on site at Owen Dixon Chambers East Melbourne for an additional fee.
Christopher will contact you to discuss your circumstances and determine whether the Script My Plea service is suitable for your case.
