1. Magistrates Court Specialist Division

2. Various Specialised Courts Drug Court The Drug Court division is concerned with sentencing and supervising people who have committed offences while under the influence of drugs or to support a drug habit. It deals with offenders who have pleaded guilty to drug-related crimes. The magistrate sentences the offender to a jail term and imposes a drug treatment order. The drug treatment order aims at rehabilitating the offender by providing a court-supervised drug or alcohol treatment program. The jail term will not be served if the offender complies with the order. Was set up in 2002, currently operates out of Dandenong Magistrates Court. Koori Court The Koori Court division aims to reduce: ● the number of Aboriginal defendants who fail to appear on bail ● breaches of court community-based orders ● the rate of re-offending. The court is informal and strives for mutual understanding and reconciliation. It allows defendants, their extended families and senior Aboriginal community members to take part in hearings. The court employs elders and respected persons who bring cultural and community knowledge and wisdom to the hearing process.

3. Family Violence Court The Family Violence Court focuses on the nature of the offence rather than the offender. It deals with both the offender and the victim. The Family Violence Court can hear matters of family violence that are: ● proceedings with respect to intervention orders, interim orders and counselling orders ● civil proceedings for damages for personal injury ● criminal proceedings for adults that may be heard and determined summarily ● committal proceedings of indictable offences for adults ● crimes compensation.

4. Neighbourhood Justice Centre First Neighbourhood Justice centre was set up in Collingwood in early 2007. Hearings are in a less formal setting, aimed to address the cases of offending behaviour. Use case management and restorative approach to justice. The NJC is a one stop court that offers access to services such as drug, alcohol, mental health, financial and employment assistance, legal aid, victim support, youth policing uni, mediators and staff to address the needs to women, youth and Koori people. These services are aimed at improving access to justice for socially disadvantaged offenders, such as low-income, unemployed or poorly educated people.

5. Question Time Complete questions 1-6 on page 270.