
Indigenous Justices of the Peace
Our Justices of the Peace (JP) Branch trains and supports Indigenous people wanting to be more involved in the administration of justice in their communities.Community members undergo extensive training and sit exams to be sworn-in as a JP (Magistrates Court), enabling them to convene their own magistrates court and deal with local breaches of the law.
This gives JPs the power to deal with simple offences, domestic violence applications, by-laws, traffic matters, bail and remands. It also empowers communities and gives them a greater sense of responsibility.
Qualified JPs play an important role in helping their communities with basic legal procedures and passing on an understanding of the justice system generally.
Magistrates courts can now be constituted by local Indigenous JPs at:
- Aurukun
- Badu Island
- Bamaga
- Cherbourg
- Doomadgee
- Hope Vale
- Kowanyama
- Murray (Mer) Island
- Mornington Island
- Old Mapoon/Napranum
- Palm Island
- Pormpuraaw
- Thursday Island
- Woorabinda
- Wujal Wujal
- Yarrabah.

