Victorian Court Locations

Victorian Courts – Criminal Jurisdiction

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Victoria, the court you attend will depend on the nature and seriousness of the charge. Victoria has a structured court hierarchy, with each level exercising a defined jurisdiction. Understanding which court will hear your matter , and where it is located , is an important first step.

Doogue + George Defence Lawyers appear regularly across Victorian courts, from the Melbourne CBD to metropolitan suburban courts and regional centres. If you have been charged and are unsure which court your matter will be heard in, contact our office on 03 9670 5111 for advice.

The Victorian Court Hierarchy

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

The Magistrates’ Court is the busiest court in Victoria, handling approximately 90 per cent of all cases that come before Victorian courts (Court Services Victoria). It sits at more than 50 locations across the state , from the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in the CBD to suburban metropolitan courts and regional centres throughout Victoria.

The Magistrates’ Court hears:

• Summary offences , less serious charges that are heard and determined entirely by a magistrate, without a jury. Examples include traffic offences, minor assaults, property damage, and offensive behaviour.
• Indictable offences triable summarily , some more serious charges that may, with the accused’s agreement, be heard and determined in the Magistrates’ Court rather than a higher court. Examples include burglary and theft.
• The early stages of all indictable offences , regardless of how serious the charge, every criminal matter begins in the Magistrates’ Court. More serious matters proceed through the committal process before being committed to the County or Supreme Court.

The Magistrates’ Court also handles bail applications, family violence intervention order applications, and contested hearings across a wide range of summary offences.

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court: 233 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Children’s Court of Victoria

The Children’s Court of Victoria hears criminal matters involving accused persons who are children , that is, persons aged 12 to 17 years at the time of the alleged offence. Children under 12 cannot be charged with a criminal offence in Victoria. The Children’s Court applies a different framework to adult criminal proceedings, with a greater focus on rehabilitation and the best interests of the child.

The Children’s Court has dedicated divisions in Melbourne and at a number of suburban and regional locations across Victoria, including specialist Children’s Court facilities at Broadmeadows and Moorabbin.

Melbourne Children’s Court: 477 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

County Court of Victoria

The County Court of Victoria is the intermediate court in the Victorian hierarchy. It sits above the Magistrates’ Court and below the Supreme Court. The County Court hears most indictable offences that have been committed from the Magistrates’ Court , including armed robbery, sexual assault, serious fraud, drug trafficking, and grievous bodily harm.

Matters in the County Court are generally heard before a judge and jury, although some matters proceed by way of plea before a judge alone. The County Court also hears appeals from the Magistrates’ Court.

The County Court is headquartered in Melbourne and conducts circuit sittings at 12 regional centres across Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Mildura, Sale, Bairnsdale, Morwell, Horsham, Warrnambool, and Wodonga.

County Court of Victoria: 250 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Supreme Court of Victoria

The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in the state. It hears the most serious criminal matters at first instance, including murder, manslaughter, and treason.  The Supreme Court also hears bail applications in matters where the County Court or Magistrates’ Court does not have jurisdiction to grant bail, and hears appeals from the County Court.

The Supreme Court sits in Melbourne and conducts circuit sittings in regional Victoria.

Supreme Court of Victoria: 210 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is a division of the Supreme Court of Victoria. It hears appeals against conviction and sentence from the County Court and the Supreme Court’s Trial Division. Appeals to the Court of Appeal require leave , that is, permission from the Court , before they can be heard.

The Court of Appeal sits at the Supreme Court building in Melbourne.

High Court of Australia

The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal for all Australian courts. Appeals to the High Court require special leave and are reserved for matters involving questions of law of public importance. In criminal matters, High Court appeals are rare.

Metropolitan Court Locations

Doogue + George Defence Lawyers appear at courts across metropolitan Melbourne, including:

Which Court Will Hear My Matter?

All criminal matters begin in the Magistrates’ Court, regardless of how serious the charge. Whether your matter remains in the Magistrates’ Court or is committed to a higher court depends on the nature of the charge:

• Summary offences remain entirely in the Magistrates’ Court
• Indictable offences triable summarily may remain in the Magistrates’ Court if the accused agrees and the matter is appropriate
• Indictable offences are committed from the Magistrates’ Court to the County or Supreme Court following the committal process

Your lawyer will advise you on which court will ultimately hear your matter and what to expect at each stage of the proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions