Court Link

You must be on bail or eligible for bail in the Magistrates Court and have at least one social issue to participate in Court Link.

When you need legal advice

Get legal advice if:

  • you are considering participating in the Court Link program.

How to get legal advice

What is Court Link?

Court Link is a bail-based program that gives short-term, individualised help to people facing criminal charges in the Magistrates Court. Its purpose is to help stop people reoffending.

The program delivers help through case management plans and/or referral to community support agencies.

The amount of help Court Link provides is determined by a person’s level of risk and need, and any other case management plan they may already be under through probation and parole or a mental health service provider.

Court Link is available in:

  • Brisbane
  • Cairns
  • Ipswich
  • Southport
  • Caboolture
  • Redcliffe
  • Maroochydore
  • Mount Isa.

Participation in the program is voluntary.

Program eligibility 

To be eligible for Court Link, you must be on bail, or eligible to apply for bail, for an offence before a Magistrates Court, and need help with at least one issue, such as:

  • drug and alcohol use
  • mental illness
  • impaired decision-making
  • homelessness
  • unemployment
  • poor health
  • other social issues.

You don't need to be pleading guilty to your charges to be eligible for Court Link.

You can ask to be assessed for Court Link eligibility or have others do this for you, including:

  • your lawyer
  • a family member
  • a personal representative
  • a magistrates
  • police
  • watch-house staff. 

There is no limit to the number of times you may be referred to Court Link. 

Court Link program

Once the court confirms your participation in Court Link, it will list case management completion as a condition of your bail.

Case management services are provided for approximately 12 weeks. During this time, Court Link officers help you develop a case plan to address personal issues that contribute to criminal behaviour and coordinate referrals to community-based services for further support.

Under the program, you must:

  • follow all reasonable directions given by your case manager
  • make every effort to engage with your case manager, treatment and support services, and the court process
  • attend all appointments as directed by the court
  • attend court as directed.

Program monitoring

Your engagement with Court Link will be monitored by the court. The Court Link court sits twice a month and when you appear will be decided by the court.

When you appear in court:

  • Court Link officers will give the magistrate an update on your participation and progress
  • the court will give guidance and encouragement to help you reach your case plan goals
  • a final report will be given to the court at your last Court Link mention.

The court may consider positive engagement with the Court Link program when determining a sentence. 

Failure to participate 

If you don’t participate in Court Link, this may be reported to the court and you may be removed from the program.

If you don’t participate in Court Link, it will not be considered a breach of bail or an offence under the Bail Act 1980.

How to get legal advice

We may give advice on most areas of Queensland criminal law.

Other places to get legal advice:

Who else can help?

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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