Get to the courthouse early
People say this all the time however;
You can see what time your case is being read on the board when you arrive but then you can be sitting there for hours because they generalize the court times. A-B's at 9am, C-E's at 9.30am etc. Then they take a 1 hour lunch break at 12pm and your case may not end up being read until fucking 2pm when it says 9.30am on the board. Still the rule of thumb is get there early.
Some simple cases can take FOREVER. Judges will read shit there on the spot and that takes time. Also you might not even get a chair as defendants AND their families are usually all piled in there. Standing sucks.
If you're being sentenced then you must have been to court before. So you and your lawyer should be familiar with what's going on. Given your offence I doubt you'll get anything more than a fine and suspended licence. However if you have prior driving offenses prepare to get fucked. If you have priors then you will for sure lose your licence. If your priors are quite serious you'll get double fucked.
Usually when being sentenced you'll get to hear the punishment and that's it. You'll leave and then all this shit will come in the mail. READ YOUR MAIL! CHECK YO MAIL!
Note: You can ask for extensions to pay off fines at any time. They are usually pretty good like this because they just want you to pay.
If it's a punishment that has the possibility of jail time you will be taken to one court; and then when your case is read you'll then be taken to another FUCKING HUGE court where two Police Officers will either be standing behind you or sitting next to you. Only people who are being sentenced for serious crimes will go to this court. If you are charged they will take you straight to the cells so make sure you have what you need and that your home life is straight. Take cash. TAKE HARD CASH. WEAR WARM CLOTHES. TAKE A WARM JACKET.
Did your lawyer say anything about traffic programs to reduce your punishment? Do it. It can take months of whatever they give you. It's once a week for 12 weeks, locations vary over Sydney BUT it will take place at the location nearest the address you were at when charged. Either the lawyer will ask for it or the Judge will recommend it depending on your age and driving history. Its very informative but there are usually heaps of fucking dumb cunts there asking stupid ass questions that make you want to punch them in the head and drag the whole lecture out for another 30mins.
When speaking to the judge - Be brief. If you plead guilty then be forthcoming. "I did it. I understand how the law works and am prepared for the consequences blah blah blah" Judges fucking go on forever about how drugs are bad for you and endanger others/strangers etc. but in the end they're right. If you have a good lawyer you'll only have to answer maybe 2-3 questions and the lawyer will do the rest.
Things like: "did you realize the danger you were putting others in?", "how would your parents feel?", "do you realize drugs are bad for you?" etc. Quite typical but very on the nose. Answer quick, breifly and don't go on about how marijuana can save lives etc. JUDGES CAN SHUT YOU DOWN IN AN INSTANT.
Source: I nearly killed someone doing a U-Turn and was in and out of court for over a year.