Community legal centres
FIGURE4 Community legal centres are funded by the government and donations. They offer legal help and advice, focusing on disadvantaged people and those with special needs.
Community legal centres offer free legal advice and help, especially for disadvantaged people and those with special needs. Some centres get money from the
government and donations, but others rely mostly on volunteers, who can be lawyers or non-lawyers. Community legal centres help locals but rarely go to court. 13.6.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and access to the law
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can face many challenges in the legal system, like language and cultural differences. They are over-represented in the criminal justice system. They make up about 3.3% of Australia’s population but 30% of the prison population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ legal services Each state has a legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, funded by the government and donations. They provide free legal help, community education and advice on law changes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ sentencing courts All states except Tasmania have a sentencing court for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to provide culturally appropriate justice. The names differ: Circle Sentencing in New South Wales, Murri Court in Queensland, Nunga Court in South Australia and Koori Court in Victoria. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courts, like the Koori Court, require the accused to plead guilty to a criminal offence. This demonstrates that they are taking responsibility for their offending. FIGURE5 shows a Koori Court layout. The round table makes it less formal and encourages participation.
SkillBuilder discussion Investigating contemporary Civics and Citizenship issues 1. Why does everyone sit at the same level in the Koori Court? 2. What shape is the table in the Koori Court? 3. How does this set- up affect the court’s atmosphere?
FIGURE5 In the Koori Court, everyone sits at the same level, around an oval table.
Magistrate
Elder/ respected person
Elder/ respected person
Youth justice worker
Koori court officer
Family/ support
Prosecution
Defence counsel
Accused
TOPIC13 Laws and citizens 503
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