Indigenous Court Support Officer

Queensland has over 130 established Magistrates Courts. Most criminal proceedings in Queensland are first heard in the Magistrates Court. If a matter is required to be transferred to a higher levelled court the matter may be heard in the District or Supreme Court. Unlike the Supreme and District Courts where a Judge presides, Magistrates Courts have no jury. Due to this, the Magistrate makes all decisions in criminal matters including any penalty.

Court sittings are held in locations across Queensland ranging from Thursday Island in the north, Goondiwindi in the south, Mount Isa in the west and Coolangatta in the east. Judges and Magistrates travel to remote and regional areas to ensure all Queenslanders have access to justice.

**Community Justice Group Program and Murri Court**

The Community Justice Group (CJG) Program was established in 1993 in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).

Community Justice Groups aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are being over-represented in the Criminal Justice System through sensitising the justice system to the needs and cultural values of Our Mob. Through the ongoing support of members within the Community Justice Group, community, stakeholders and government agencies, the Community Justice Group is strengthened in reducing the incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

The Murri Court provides a culturally appropriate court process in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is respected and acknowledged. Murri Court is supported by Elders and Respected Persons from the Community Justice Group. The Elders/Respected Persons and the Coordinator provide The Courts oral and written submissions regarding a defendants personal and cultural background. The Courts are also provided information relating to appropriate services the defendant was linked into towards addressing their offending behaviour.

**About the Role**

The Court Support Officer aims to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants appearing before Magistrate courts. The Court Support Officer is employed by Five Bridges, the auspice body that provides governance, recruitment, and management responsibilities for the Ipswich Community Justice Group.

**Knowledge and Experience Required**
- Sound interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal in public settings include demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
- Sound knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire sound knowledge of court processes, legislation, practices, and trends relating to the Criminal Justice System in Queensland.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively perform duties in an organisation, achieving goals and meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate meetings and appointments with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Sound knowledge of computer technology systems and programs to assist with managing tasks and developing reports.

**Responsibilities and Accountabilities**
- Contact clients and complete Entry Reports (6+ per week)
- Organise referrals for clients on outcomes of Entry Report.
- Organise clients to attend courthouse to sign Entry Report.
- Forward completed (hard copy) Entry Report to the Murri Court Coordinator
- Enter Documents onto Share file under client file.
- Effectively communicate with court stakeholders, staff, and CJG group
- Organise and arrange office to ensure it is kept in a professional manner.
- Establish and maintain records and filing systems.
- Complete any other administration work as required by Murri Court Coordinator
- Maintain Positive Notice blue card and Criminal History Check (when required)

Five Bridges supports the adoption and implementation of the:

- Human Services Quality Framework Standards:

- _Bail Act 1980 (Qld),_
- _Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld),_
- _Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld), _
- _Children's Court Act 1992,_
- _Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act, _
- _Domestic and Family Violence Information Sharing Guidelines_,_
- The Five Bridges Board, the processes that we develop and implement promotes an organisational culture that respects and protects human rights consistent with the requirements of the Human Rights Act 20_

**Application requirements**:
Indigenous Workstars specialises in the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into employment in a variety of communities and industries across Australia.