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Koori Court

The Koori Court is a division of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria that sentences Indigenous defendants. All offences that can be heard in the Magistrates’ Court, except family violence and sexual offences, can be heard in the Koori Court.

In contrast to the mainstream system, the Koori Court provides a less formal atmosphere that allows greater participation by the Aboriginal (Koori) community in the court process. The magistrate sits at a table with the participants at the court hearing, not at the bench, and discusses the matter in plain English, not in technical legal language. Koori Court Elders and/or Respected Persons, a Koori Court Officer, the defendant, and their family can all contribute to the discussions during the court hearing.

This Koori Court process aims to reduce perceptions of cultural alienation, ensure sentencing orders are appropriate to the cultural needs of Koori offenders, and assist them to address issues relating to their offending behaviour.

The general objectives of the Koori Court are to:

• improve defendants' understanding of the court process.
• encourage defendants to take responsibility for their actions and recognise the consequences of their behaviour.
• develop a court system that is culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Indigenous people.
• facilitate greater positive participation by the Aboriginal community in the sentencing process.
• explore sentencing alternatives prior to imprisonment.

Koori Courts are located at Shepparton, Broadmeadows, Bairnsdale, Mildura, Warrnambool, LaTrobe, and Swan Hill Magistrates' Courts. Children's Koori Courts are located at the Melbourne Children's Court and Mildura Magistrates’ Court. In 2009, a County Koori Court began operating in La Trobe Valley.

Legislation

The Koori Court was established under the Magistrates' Court (Koori Court) Act 2002, which has subsequently been incorporated into the Magistrates' Court Act 1989. The Children’s Koori Court was established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.

Please refer to the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for legislation and the related disclaimer statement.

Contacts

County Koori Court
PO Box 687
134 Commercial Rd
Morwell VIC 3840 Australia
Tel: 03 51165222
Fax: 03 51165200

Koori Court Bairnsdale
PO Box 367
Nicholson St
Bairnsdale VIC 3875 Australia
Tel: 03 5152 9222
Fax: 03 5152 9299

Koori Court Broadmeadows
PO Box 3235
Corner Pearcedale Parade and Dimboola Road
Broadmeadows VIC 3047 Australia
Tel: 03 9221 8900
Fax: 03 9221 8901

Koori Children's Court Melbourne
477 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Tel: 03 8638 3300
Fax: 03 8601 6720

Koori Court Mildura (Adult and Children's Koori Courts)
PO Box 5014
56 Deakin Avenue
Mildura VIC 3500 Australia
Tel: 03 5021 6000
Fax: 03 5021 6010

Koori Court Moe/LaTrobe
PO Box 687
134 Commercial Road
Morwell VIC 3840 Australia
Tel: 03 5116 5222
Fax: 03 5116 5200

Koori Court Shepparton
PO Box 607
High Street
Shepparton VIC 3630 Australia
Tel: 03 5821 4633
Fax: 03 5821 2374

Koori Court Swan Hill
PO Box 512
121 Curlewis Street
Swan Hill VIC 3585 Australia
Tel: 03 5032 0800
Fax: 03 5032 0888

Koori Court Warrnambool (on circuit to Portland and Hamilton)
PO Box 244
218 Koroit Street
Warrnambool VIC 3280 Australia
Tel: 03 5564 1111
Fax: 03 5564 1100