I just went through this process.
It really is a nightmare, and unless this is for a lot of money, really not worth your time (unless you are stuck on principles or hate cops)
First you have to go to set your date.
They say be there at 9 o'clock.
First they go through all the lawyers, which takes forever, just to make you and everyone else who actually had to take off work to be there wait longer...
Eventually they will finish with the lawyers (who represent people who don't actually show up) and then get on with your stuff. Take note that the judges need frequent breaks to look stuff up, and a 15 minute recess is actually a 45 minute recess.
I have done this process a couple of times and NEVER have they got around to my case before 1 o'clock (ie. sitting around since 9). There is no rhyme or reason to the order and they don't have a schedule posted so you can't go away and come back. You must sit there and wait... and wait... and wait...
This all just to SET the date of your case.
Then you need to come back and do it again to actually have your case.
Almost ALWAYS, the crown will offer to reduce the charge to something pretty small if you agree to plead guilty right there, in which case you pay a small charge and the 'victim surcharge' (a charge for being charged) and can save yourself money and hassle.
In short... honestly... it's not worth your time to bother with this crap. And I seriously doubt that you can go in "for" your friend who is out of town unless you have power of Attorney (which you probably don't...)
Also, it is really disgusting how justice at this level really is only accessible to the rich. Also, if you are rich you can avoid with the nonsense of civil law too (ie. you needn't bother adhere to those laws). It is disgusting how our system works and as an excercise in contempt for the law, I advise you to go through this process at least once. Fines should be proportional to income like in many European countries.
-jM
A&D
