The Victorian chief magistrate sent out a directive on Wednesday, October 14 that magistrates’ court matters throughout regional areas in the state were now to be heard online, rather than in person.
While the directive comes soon after Covid-19 cases were recorded in Shepparton, the change is not related to this.
A Magistrates’ Court of Victoria spokesperson said anyone with a matter due to be heard at a regional court should not attend court in person from Thursday, October 15.
Instead, they should visit the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website at mcv.vic.gov.au where they could fill in a form to arrange an online magistrates’ court hearing.
The court is sending text messages and letters to court users with those instructions.
“Once at the website, they must fill in an online form that provides information for the court on how their matter will proceed,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes whether they are represented or wish to be represented, whether they want to plead guilty or not guilty, whether they wish to appear at their online hearing or whether they want the matter to be finalised in their absence.”
Once this is received, the matter will be scheduled for an online hearing or finalised on the papers by a judicial officer, the spokesperson said.
Prosecutors, solicitors and police informants have also been instructed to join in court online.
The online hearings use the Webex platform and parties can appear before the judicial officer from a computer, tablet or mobile phone.
For more information, visit mcv.vic.gov.au
16°C