The Koori Court of Victoria: Addressing Cultural and Language Disadvantage for Indigenous Offenders in the Criminal Justice System

This thesis addresses an aspect of the problem of the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system in Victoria. A sociolinguistic examination is made of the process and practice of the Victorian Koori Court, to identify the extent that this court provides a more culturally appropriate justice process, leading to a more appropriate sentencing outcome for the Koori offender.