Artwork: Kim Fuhrmann
Getting the most out of the justice system
Going to court can be the beginning of a new pathway to a more stable life. But it's not always an easy journey which is why we offer clients a way to get back on track when things in life are spiralling out of control.
We do this through something we call a Problem Solving Meeting.
It's a practical way to recalibrate and refocus.
Our Neighbourhood Justice Officer runs these meetings and our NGO is here whenever a helping hand is needed.
How it works
Our Neighbourhood Justice Officer (NGO) has a quick meeting with a client to explain how a Problem Solving Meeting works.
Once the client agrees to give it a go, the NGO organise the meeting.
Problem Solving Meetings bring together the client, their legal representative, case workers and anyone else who can help together.
The client has time and a safe place to openly talk about what's happening in his/her life.
This knowledge helps everyone at the table to find solutions to help the client get back on track.
Solutions are practical, and usually involve giving the client new or modified treatment and support plans.
Meetings are confidential, and collaborative.
A meeting takes 90 minutes, and while one is usually enough, we run as many as needed.
Find out more
Our NJO will explain how this voluntary assistance process can work for you, or someone you know who is at our court.
Contact the NJC for more information. Call 9948 8777.
Mark's story
Two months into his Community Corrections Order Mark* offended again. Because he breached the order he faced jail.
At the time, Mark had given up on the treatment he’d started in the lead up to his court hearing at the NJC. His memory and mind was deteriorating, and his self-imposed drug and drink detox led to debilitating insomnia which made everything worse.
Now with the threat of jail looming, he agreed to his lawyer’s recommendation that he give the NJC’s Problem Solving Meeting a go.
Together with His case manager, lawyer, his girlfriend, and the Neighbourhood Justice Officer who convened the meeting, Mark looked for solutions.
Over the course of two hours, Mark talked about what the past twenty years of his life had been like living with a serious addiction.
He said all he wanted was to turn his life around, and above all, reunite with his mum and sister, from whom he had been estranged for over a decade.
Mark left the meeting with two things: practical set of things to do to get back into his treatment programs, and the encouragement of everyone at the meeting that he succeed.
The court placed him back on a CCO. Mark followed through on all his commitments and successfully completed his CCO, and he continues to get the help he needs.
*Not his real name.