Crime keeps court busy

TOWNSVILLE Magistrat e s Court is the third busiest court in the state, according to recently released data.

Almost 7 per cent of charges heard in Queensland magistrates courts last financial year took place in Townsville, only Southport ( 9 per cent) and Brisbane ( 15 per cent) have heard more cases.

Last financial year adults and 843 children faced court at magistrates’ level in Townsville on 29,735 charges – when taking into account Sundays and public holidays this equates to about 100 matters per sitting day.

The Magistrates Courts of Queensland Annual Report shows the attention paid to Townsville.

An Attorney- General and Minister for Justice spokeswoman did not address why Townsville’s court numbers are so high, but said initiatives such as the Specialist High Risk Youth Court and Murri Court were designed to address crime in Townsville.

“Townsville has been chosen for a Specialist High Risk Youth Court, as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s fivepoint plan to reduce youth crime in Townsville,” she said.

“By definition this court targets our most troubled youths, with a very high risk of reoffending.

“The court flags young people who need to be dealt with in a more intensive manner.”

The spokeswoman said the High Risk Youth Court had a dedicated magistrate so that youths were seen by the same person each time they appeared. The judicial response also includes addressing the underlying causes of the young person’s offending behaviour including family issues, drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness or homelessness.

Meanwhile the Murri Court is seen by government as an important tool in diverting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the criminal justice system.

The spokeswoman said the Palaszczuk Government had invested an extra $ 20 million to court services in the 2016- 17 State Budget.

“In Townsville that’s meant an extra magistrate dedicated to Domestic and Family Violence, and new court facilities,” she said.

“The Murri Court is designed to assist with the court process and involves Elders and Respected Persons who work with community justice groups and the court to help increase community participation and confidence in the court process.”