Koori Court facts for kids

A Koori Court is a special part of the regular courts in Victoria, Australia. These courts are for Aboriginal people who choose to have their cases heard there. The first Koori Court started in Shepparton in 2002.

The main goal of a Koori Court is to help reduce reoffending. They do this by involving Elders and other respected people from the Aboriginal community. These people share information about the person in court and suggest sentences that fit their culture. Koori Courts are the only Indigenous courts in Australia that handle more serious cases.

Why Koori Courts Were Created

The word Koori describes Aboriginal Australians from south-east Australia. This includes the areas now known as Victoria and southern New South Wales.

Koori Courts were created to help Aboriginal people in Victoria with the justice system. They are part of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (VAJA). This agreement is a partnership between the Victorian Government and the Victorian Koori community. Its aim is to reduce the number of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. It also works to improve justice for them.

The VAJA was set up after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991. The idea for Koori Courts came from the Nunga Court in South Australia, which started in 1999.

Bridging Legal Systems

Koori Courts were made to allow Aboriginal culture to be part of the Australian legal system. This helps to connect traditional Indigenous laws with Australia's common law system.

The first Koori Court opened in Shepparton in October 2002. Another one started in Broadmeadows in 2003. Special laws were passed to create these courts.

Later, the Children's Koori Court was set up in 2005 for young people. The County Koori Court began in 2009 for more serious cases. The County Court handles bigger cases than the Magistrates Court.

How Koori Courts Work

The main goal of the Koori Court is to involve the Aboriginal community more in the sentencing process. This happens through the role of Aboriginal Elders and other respected people. The court uses the same laws as any other Australian court. This means that all usual sentences, including prison, can still be given.

Koori Court sessions happen in a regular courthouse on a specific day. The laws are the same, but the way the hearings are run is different. Koori Courts do not deal with family violence cases.

A Different Courtroom Setting

In a Koori Court, the magistrate or judge sits at a table with everyone. This includes the person in court, their lawyers, community Elders, and a Koori Court officer. The prosecutor and family members are also there.

The language used is plain English, not complicated legal words. The process is less formal than in regular courts. Prosecutors talk personally with the person in court about their situation. This helps them find the best and most culturally suitable sentence.

The Elder or other respected community members can advise the magistrate. They suggest sentences that fit the person's culture. They also help find sentences that are likely to stop the person from reoffending. Koori Court is the only Indigenous court in Australia that handles more serious cases.

Positive Impact of Koori Courts

After a trial period, Koori Courts were successful in reducing reoffending. For example, in Shepparton, the reoffending rate was 12.5%. In Broadmeadows, it was 15.5%. This is much lower than the general reoffending rate of 29.41%.

These courts have also helped to make the role of community Elders and family structures stronger.

Koori Court Locations

As of July 2022^[update] Koori Courts are located in these towns:

See also

• Aboriginal Community Court in Western Australia (2006–2015)
• Community court (Northern Territory) (2005–2012)
• Indigenous court (disambiguation)
• Murri Court in Queensland (2002-2012, 2016–present)
• Nunga Court in South Australia (1999-present)
• Youth Koori Court in New South Wales (2002-present)