Perth Specialist Courts

Specialist Courts & Court Programs

A number of specialist Court streams and diversionary programs are available to offenders or accused persons. If you are struggling to access assistance in the community, we may be able to assist your entry into rehabilitation-focused Court streams or programs. If the specialist Court stream or program is located at a different Court than the one in which you are appearing, your matter may be able to be transferred to allow you to access these services.

• Drug Court
  • Offenders with entrenched drug addictions may be eligible to participate in Drug Court, a Court stream focused on the rehabilitation of offenders, aiming to break the cycle of drug addiction and facilitate meaningful change. Regular Court hearings will be conducted before the matter is sentenced, in order to monitor the progress of the offender as they complete the program. The program may take up to 24 months’ to complete.
  • When a participant is accepted into the Drug Court program, the participant will be given an indicated sentence. The indicated sentence is the penalty that the participant may have received if they did not complete the program. If the program is completed successfully, the participant will have shown a willingness to address their drug misuse issues and change their lifestyle for the better. If the program completed successfully, the participant is likely to receive a reduced sentence from that which was previously indicated.
  • Located at: Perth Magistrates Court

• Alcohol and Other Drug Diversion (AODD) Program
  • If you are pleading guilty to an offence or offences in which drug or alcohol misuse has contributed, you may be able to be referred to this program. Counselling will be facilitated in the community to deal with substance misuse issues. After a minimum of three sessions, your counsellor will prepare a brief report for the Court to consider before deciding its sentence. This program can help you to foster positive change and signals your intent to lead a productive life free from substance abuse issues. Participating in this program will demonstrate a level of insight and remorse into your offending, which can act as powerful mitigating factors.
  • Available at most metropolitan and regional Magistrates Courts.

• Family Violence List
  • Offences alleged to have occurred in the context of a domestic or family relationship will be transferred to the Family Violence List. This specialist Court stream provides programs and resources to an offender in an effort to break the cycle of domestic violence. There is also support available for victims through the Court’s Family Violence Service.
  • Located at: Perth, Joondalup, Midland, Fremantle, Armadale, and Rockingham Magistrates Courts.

• START Court
  • A joint initiative between the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Justice, this Court program specialises in dealing with offenders who have mental health issues. The accused person must accept responsibility for the offence(s) alleged, must be on bail, and have a mental health condition. START Court focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of the accused person. It involves participation in a program combining mental health supports and services, with regular Court hearings to act as progress checks. The program can last for up to 6 months.
  • Located at: Perth Magistrates Court.

• Intellectual Disability Diversion Program (IDDP) Court
  • The Intellectual Disability Diversion Program Court is a specialist Court created to reduce the likelihood of future interactions with the criminal justice system. A person may be referred to this voluntary program if they are (or are likely to be) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, or Cognitive Disability. The Court aims to increase the participant’s access to support services, identify undiagnosed mental or physical conditions, and achieve a fair and proportionate outcome in their specific circumstances. Adult Community Corrections will develop a tailored plan for the person’s program participation. This plan is developed with input from service providers, carers, and family members. The participant’s progress is monitored by the Court for a period of 4 to 6 months until the matter is sentenced.
  • Eligibility requirements includes:
    • the accused person is intending to plead guilty to all of (or most of) the charge(s),
    • the accused person is on bail in the community,
    • the matter can be dealt with by the Magistrates Court (or the participant has been referred to the program by a District Court Judge),
    • there is the prospect of the imposition of a non-custodial sentence.
  • Located at: Perth Magistrates Court

• General Court Intervention Program (GCIP)
  • This program aims to provide needs-based support to accused persons in one or more of the following areas:
    • Physical or mental health
    • Socio-economic needs
    • Homelessness
    • Drug and/or alcohol dependency or misuse
  • If referred to this program, participants will work with a Case Manager to identify the necessary supports and/or services required to ensure improvement in the area(s) of need. This program usually runs for 12 weeks, after which a report will be provided to the Court to inform it about the progress that has been made. If required, participants may be referred to long-term supports available after the completion of the program. A person will be eligible for this program if they are on bail and have one or more identified areas of need. As this program is focused on improving broader socio-economic outcomes for accused persons, there is no requirement to enter a plea of guilty.
  • Located at: Perth Magistrates Court

Other supports available

The Court may be able to provide you access to additional supports for you to improve your interaction with the Court system. Such supports include:

• Translator services (in-person or by telephone if required)
• For those with deafness, hearing impairment, or speech impairment –
• interpreter services (AUSLAN),
• sound amplification,
• access to a hearing aid loop amplifier.
• Assistance animal
• Payment for child-care services

These services and supports are vital to improving access to justice and ensuring an equitable outcome and Court experience. If you require one or more supports to facilitate your Court hearing, please inform our office so that arrangements can be made with the Court in which you are appearing.