Common questions
Murri Court - criminal
Who is eligible for Murri Court?
The Murri Court sentences Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders who plead guilty to an offence which falls within the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court.Both the prosecution and the offender must consent to the matter being dealt with in the Murri Court.
In referring matters to the Murri Court, legal representatives will take into account:
- the Indigenous descent of the person
- the offender’s guilty plea to the offence
- whether the matter can be adequately dealt with in the Magistrates or Childrens Court by a summary procedure
- the possibility of the person being sentenced to imprisonment
- if the offender is already in prison and may receive a further custodial sentence.
What happens if my case is referred to Murri Court?
The court will adjourn your case to the Murri Court and sentencing will be suspended to a later date.
The magistrate will then talk to you, your legal representative, family members, an Indigenous Elder, the police prosecutor, a representative from Queensland Corrective Services and a Community Justice Group representative (if available).
The magistrate may ask for a case plan to be developed for you in consultation with other service providers including drug, alcohol, psychological and violence treatment agencies.
Who develops the case plan?
The case plan is developed by the Department of Corrective Services and, in some communities, in consultation with an Elder, the offender's family and the Community Justice Group representing the local community.
The case plan will then be discussed before the court, where the magistrate may ask the Elder about the appropriateness of the court order and sentencing options.
What is the role of the Elders?
The Elders provide advice to the magistrate on cultural issues and liaise with their local Indigenous community.
The Elders provide background information about the offender and facilitate communication by explaining the meaning of the magistrate's questions or concerns to the offender.
However, it is the magistrate who makes the final decision and imposes sentencing.
When and where is Murri Court held?
Murri Court operates throughout Queensland and is available in:
- Brisbane Magistrates Court every Wednesday
- Brisbane Children’s Court on the first Tuesday of each month.
Refer to the registries at these Magistrates Court for operating hours:
- Ipswich Magistrates Court
- Caboolture Children’s Court
- Cleveland Children’s Court
- Caloundra Children’s Court
- Cherbourg via Murgon Magistrates Court
- Rockhampton Magistrates Court
- Rockhampton Childrens Court
- Mount Isa Magistrates Court
- Mount Isa Children’s Court
- Townsville Murri Court
- Townsville Children’s Court.
Last updated Thursday, 13 December 2007 14:58
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