Revoked - Fast tracking of the hearing and determination of criminal offences arising out of family violence incidents - Practice Direction 4 of 2015

It is well known with family violence cases that the rate of recidivism for crimes of violence against intimate partners is much greater than crimes of violence against strangers. We also know that usually the violence increases, in number and intensity. Accordingly, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (the Court) has commenced the introduction in stages of a fast tracking listing process of these cases. The first stage commenced at the Court at Dandenong on 1 December 2014. The second stage will commence at the Court at Broadmeadows and the Court at Shepparton on 1 May 2015.