Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

It was my great pleasure yesterday to present as the Government keynote speaker at #InnovateVIC, on behalf of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. So much innovation happening across Victoria. Thank you to the Public Sector Network Australia and Cenitex for organising Innovate VIC!

Lucy the court dog is playing a vital role in the justice system by helping reduce stress and anxiety for victims and witnesses. The Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria (OPP) Court Dog Program aims to minimise the risk of adverse psychological consequences and reliving trauma in court by providing a calm canine companion to curl up by a person’s side. Chocolate brown Labrador Lucy, aged seven, has been helping people at the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts of Victoria since the pilot program took off in 2017. In a recent evaluation, close to 90 per cent of court dog users surveyed said the presence of a dog at their hearing made them feel less overwhelmed and stressed. More than 90 per cent of court workers surveyed agreed the dogs help save court resources and promote access to justice, with better evidence leading to fewer delays and expedited outcomes. “The belly rubs and companionship make what can be a distressing time for people, much more calming,” Lucy’s guardian, OPP Victims Engagement Coordinator Julie Morrison said. Lucy demonstrates court etiquette just like everyone else as she is trained to bow when she enters the courtroom. She wears a special blue jacket to indicate to people that she is working, and staff know that she can’t be petted when she is supporting a court user. But, she is always up for a cuddle with others when her shift is over. Lucy is Australia’s first trained and accredited court dog and both she and colleague, black Labrador Kiki were provided by Assistance Dogs of Australia. Follow Lucy’s adventures on Instagram: @courtdoglucy Read the full 2023 OPP Court Dog Program Evaluation: https://lnkd.in/gvKAU6md

The Orange Door has opened a new location in Bentleigh to support Melbourne’s bayside community. If you are experiencing family violence or need assistance with the care and support of children and young people, the Orange Door can help. The Orange Door network can connect you to a range of services that provide ongoing safety and wellbeing supports. It brings together workers from services across children and family, Aboriginal, and family violence to provide tailored support to anyone who needs it. The new Orange Door Bentleigh is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Visit at at Ground floor, 973 Nepean Highway, Bentleigh, call 1800 319 353 or email bpa@orangedoor.vic.gov.au. Not a bayside resident but looking for support? Find an Orange Door near you at: https://lnkd.in/gSs9FcsV

Attending court can be unfamiliar and stressful, especially for people affected by family violence. So how does the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria support people through their journey?    Join the in-person tour, ‘Walk in their shoes - Heidelberg Specialist Family Violence Court’, and step into the shoes of families affected by violence navigating the family violence intervention order (FVIO) process. During the tour you will learn about applying for a FVIO, the hearing process and specialist services and programs to support families affected by violence. To help guide your tour, you will meet a family violence magistrate, court staff and community service providers who deliver wrap-around supports as part of Victoria’s nation-leading family violence response.    At the conclusion of the session, you will have the opportunity to observe a live proceeding.    This event is suitable for anyone who wants to learn about the court’s specialist family violence response, including professionals working with families affected by violence.    Spots are limited, get in quick and secure your place at the next session at 9am, Thursday 15 August: https://bit.ly/3JYBcop #AusLaw 

🌟 This Saturday, May 25th, don’t miss the action at Fitzroy Town Hall! As part of Victoria Law Week, join us for a Yarra Libraries event packed with insights and enlightenment. 🎓 Swing by our stall in the Reading Room, dive into free workshops, and be captivated by a keynote from Professor Marcia Langton, plus a special segment from us. 📚🔑 See you there! 🚀 Follow the link: https://buff.ly/4bJ4ovL

Don’t miss this unique blend of law and theatre! Join us as part of Victorian Law Week for a special performance of Shakespeare’s "The Winter's Tale". The dynamic ensemble of legal professionals at BottledSnail Productions, renowned for their compelling theatrical productions, will be performing at the NJC from 7pm, May 23 & 24. Stay for a riveting panel discussion with Judge Paul Glass and Magistrate Thérèse McCarthy, linking Shakespeare's timeless themes to today's critical issues in family violence. Be part of the conversation and book your seats now! Follow the link:

💡 Ever wondered how many people miss out on legal help because they don’t realize they need it? 📅 Join us from 4pm, May 20th at Deakin Downtown for “Route from 66: A Call To Action”! 🔍 As part of Victoria Law Week, come along and discuss why legal needs still go unmet and how organisations can improve access to justice. ✨ We’ll be there discussing our work connecting the community with a positive experience of the justice system. 🚨 Don't miss out – reserve your spot today. Follow the link: https://buff.ly/3yw6Mr5

Did you know that as members of the public you are able to visit the Magistrates’ Court and observe hearings?    For those interested in observing a hearing and developing a better understanding of how our judicial system works, you can view the court schedule for any one of our locations to guide your visit: https://bit.ly/3UXCWVt   For Victorian students and teachers, we run a weekly Education Program providing the opportunity to speak to magistrates, explore courtrooms and observe courtroom proceedings. Bring your legal studies to life and plan your next school visit: https://bit.ly/3UVzVov   Check out the full #VicLawWeek2024 program, including other events that MCV is involved in: https://lnkd.in/gtDAaJT6   #AusLaw 

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (MCV) launched Victoria’s 17th Koori Court at Echuca on Monday 25 March.   The Koori Court aims to address and reduce offending behaviour by including the Koori community, including Elders and Respected Persons, in an informal and culturally appropriate court setting.   The Koori Court is designed to reduce cultural alienation, strengthen accountability, divert defendants away from imprisonment, and ensure any behavioural issues are addressed.   Supervising Magistrate for Koori Justice and Wotjobaluk and Wemba Wemba woman, Magistrate Rose Falla said participants in Koori Court felt “a great level of involvement, connection and comfort during the court proceedings.”   “Koori Court launches are always days of celebration for us, but it was really heart-warming to see community coming into the courtroom with a level of comfort, with joy and celebration that culture has been really injected into the court process,” she said.   Read the news article by Emily Donohoe in The Shepparton News: https://bit.ly/3UdI0EP   Learn more about the Koori Court on the MCV website: https://lnkd.in/gSt4nf3j   #mcv #viclaw #auslaw #opencourts #justice #kooricourt 

Graduate lawyers are getting invaluable experience working with magistrates in Magistrates’ Court of Victoria's unique Court Officer Program.  The program gives court officers a unique opportunity to work closely with the judiciary and registry to develop and exhibit the many skills that will serve them as a practitioner. Hear from Head of Criminal Division Magistrate Donna Bakos, Court Officer Cameron Puzon and former Court Officer Julleane Almirante as they discuss the program in the latest edition of the Law Institute Journal. “I’ve learned so much about advocacy from working with Magistrate Bakos," Cameron said. "Her Honour gets me to take notes of the proceedings, including assessments of advocates’ addresses, to discuss with her afterwards, and gives me tips on how to present cases properly.” Magistrate Bakos says watching Mr Puzon blossom in his role has filled her with “immense pride”. “His dedication and application to his duties has assisted me in doing my job and therefore assisted in serving the community.” Julleane, who now works at the Office of Public Prosecutions, said being able to run multiple courts was an invaluable education. “It taught me a lot of transferable skills – especially learning how to work under pressure in such a high volume environment," she said. “We deal a lot with negotiations and preparing of court documents. So it was really helpful being able to sit in court and see exactly what happens in a mention, what happens in a committal hearing, and what particular magistrates look out for.” Read the article by Karin Derkley in the Law Institute Journal: https://lnkd.in/gjjCGEcv #mcv #viclaw #auslaw #opencourts #justice