What cases are heard at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court?
Sunshine Magistrates’ Court serves much of Melbourne’s inner and middle west. It hears criminal and traffic charges, bail applications and family violence intervention orders. Most criminal cases begin with a mention hearing. Bring your charge sheet or notice, arrive early for security screening, and ask in advance for an interpreter if you need one.
Sunshine Magistrates’ Court serves much of Melbourne’s inner and middle west, and hears criminal, intervention order, bail and civil matters.
Address and contact
- Address: 10 Foundry Road, Sunshine VIC 3020
- Registry hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Phone: (03) 9087 5726
Getting there
There is a public car park at the court, including accessible parking spaces. The court does not publish public transport directions, so use the PTV Journey Planner and allow time for security.
What is heard here
Criminal matters, intervention orders, bail applications and civil matters, with the Court Integrated Services Program and the Assessment and Referral Court available. Sunshine is also one of the Specialist Family Violence Court locations, and the court has its own diversion registry.
Matters from western suburbs such as Sunshine, Footscray, St Albans, Deer Park and Braybrook may be listed here. Your notice decides, not your postcode.
Which court will my case be in?
The court is usually the one near where the alleged offence happened or where you live — check your charge sheet or court notice. The suburbs mentioned on this page are a rough guide only, not an official list.
On the day
- Arrive early. Allow time for security screening, and aim to be there at least 30 minutes before the time on your notice.
- Security. Everyone is screened on entry. Do not bring knives, tools or anything that could be used as a weapon.
- Report in. After security, tell the registry or the court coordinator you have arrived, and which courtroom you are in.
- Expect to wait. Courts usually begin sitting at 10am and deal with many matters through the day, so stay near the courtroom until your name is called.
- In the courtroom. Turn your phone off, remove hats and sunglasses, and address the magistrate as “Your Honour”.
What to bring
- Your charge sheet or summons, and the court notice showing the date and time
- Any police documents you were given, such as the summary or brief of evidence
- Photo identification
- Character references and any reports (for example medical or counselling reports), if you are pleading guilty
- Your lawyer’s contact details, and something to pass the time
Interpreters
If you need an interpreter, tell the court (or your lawyer) well before the hearing. The Magistrates’ Court may be able to arrange an interpreter for a person charged with a criminal offence. We can advise and take instructions in English or Mandarin. Contact the court to confirm the interpreter booking.
In person or online?
Under the Magistrates’ Court’s current practice direction, an accused person who is not represented must usually attend in person. If you have a lawyer, you may be able to appear online at some mentions, but you will normally need to attend in person where a community correction order or imprisonment is possible. Your lawyer will tell you how you need to appear.
Help with a matter at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court
Chua Tan Associates has practised in Melbourne since 1990. Our principal, Justin Chua, appears as a solicitor advocate and advises in English and Mandarin, and we act in courts across Victoria.
Send us your charge sheet and court notice through our enquiry form for a confidential review, or book a consultation. See also all court guides and Your First Court Date.
This page is general information about Victorian law, current at the time of writing. It is not legal advice about your situation. Laws and police practices change, so speak with a lawyer about your own matter.