Magistrates court how many

Offenders may serve their sentence in a prison or youth justice centre in Victoria. An offender serving a sentence in prison may apply for parole — conditional release into the community after they have served their non-parole period. The post sentence scheme monitors some serious sex and serious violent offenders after the end of their sentence to help reduce risks of reoffending in the community. Victims can apply to receive updates about offenders who are sent to prison.

If you are needed as a witness for a case in the Magistrates' Court, you will get a summons letter. If the accused person is found guilty, you can make a Victim Impact Statement to tell the magistrate how the crime has affected you. If the accused person pleads guilty, the magistrate will need to decide the penalty also called the sentence. If the accused person pleads not guilty at the mention hearing, the case will move to the contest mention.

This may happen on the day, but usually will be adjourned postponed to a later day. During the contest mention, the parties the prosecuting team, the defence team and the magistrate may:. At a contested hearing, the prosecution and defence legal teams present their case to the court and a magistrate will find the accused person guilty or not guilty.

It is like a trial, but there is no jury. You can learn more about penalties and sentences. Any person who has been affected by the crime can submit a Victim Impact Statement. This is your chance to tell the court how the crime has affected you. The magistrate will consider what you have said as one of many things they consider when they are deciding the sentence.

The Magistrates' Court handles the first part of the court process for indictable offences. They are advised on points of law by a legal adviser who sits in court with them.

Magistrates come from a range of backgrounds; they are ordinary people with common sense and the capacity to make fair decisions. You must be aged between 18 and 70 and have no serious past criminal convictions. You can take your complaint to your nearest Equality Court. Child Justice Courts Prior to 1 April , children who committed crime were dealt with, in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of which also deals with adults who commit crime.

The aim of the CJA is to set up a child justice system for children in conflict with the law. This means that children under the age of 18, who are suspected to have committed crime, will not be dealt with in terms of the normal criminal procedure which is used for adults, but the child justice process will be followed.

The CJA seeks to ensure that child justice matters are managed in a rights-based manner and to assist children suspected of committing crime to turn their lives around and become productive members of society by engaging with the child in restorative justice measures, diversions and other alternative sentencing options.

Mothers or fathers who do not get support for their children from the other parent can approach Maintenance Courts to claim maintenance from that parent. There are Maintenance Officers in charge of maintenance matters at Magistrates Courts.

It is not necessary to have an attorney to claim maintenance. Maintenance Officers are always on hand to help those in need to complete the necessary forms. In the case where one of the parents of the child refuses to pay maintenance; then the case must go to the Maintenance Court. In this case, the Maintenance Officer will provide details to the parties on when to appear in court and which court to go to.

Sexual Offences Courts As part of responding to the problem of sexual offences, special sexual offences courts are set up across the country. They are built in such a way that children and victims get the necessary care, respect and support at the court.

For example, there is a waiting room to make sure that the woman or child, who is a victim of e. Toys are also available to make sure a relaxed atmosphere is created for a child. In some cases television is used to make sure that evidence by the victim in given in a comfortable way. Is this page useful? Maybe Yes this page is useful No this page is not useful. Thank you for your feedback. Report a problem with this page.

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