Call our lawyers
now
or,
have our lawyers
call you
Court Integrated Services Program of Victoria
Court Integrated Services Program of Victoria
Have you found yourself in a situation where you have committed an offence, but is was due to your poor housing situation, your alcohol or drug problem, or due to a disability or mental health condition? If so, then the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) can provide you with the support and services you need to reduce the chance of you re-offending, and help you get back on track. CISP is available at the Latrobe Valle, Melbourne and Sunshine Magistrates’ Courts.
What is CISP?
The program provides a team based approach to the assessment and treatment of those that are in the court system. The aim of CISP is to reduce the risk of you reoffending by providing support services for drug and alcohol treatment, disability and mental health services, and crisis accommodation. CISP can provide assistance prior to sentencing if you have health and social needs. It can also address the cause of why you offended through case management support, and provide access to community support services. The program is available to you prior to you entering a plea, and is not based on you entering a guilty plea. You can still enter the program even if you intend to plead not guilty.
How do I access CISP?
There are many different ways you can be referred to CISP. These include a referral from the police, your lawyer, the Magistrate or you can advise the court staff that you want to participate in the program. You will then need to complete a referral form which is available on the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website. You will need to complete the form relevant for the Court location you are attending. Once you have completed and lodged the form with CISP staff at the court, they will assess your application, and look and the risk of reoffending and the causes of your offence. They will then provide a report to the Magistrate who will decide whether or not you are eligible. The Magistrates decision will be based on your criminal history, any indicators that you will reoffend, whether you have any physical, mental or disabilities, any drug or alcohol dependency, and if you have inadequate social, family and economic support which may contribute to your offending.
What happens if I am accepted into CISP?
If the Magistrate approves your application you will be assigned a case manager who will develop a treatment plan for you, which involves case management of up to four months. This will provide you with referrals to support services within the community depending on your individual needs. The case manager will continue to monitor your progress and provide feedback to the Court throughout your time on the program. At the completion of the program you will be required to return to Court, enter a plea, and be sentenced by the Magistrate. Your participation in CISP and what you have achieved will be taken into account during sentencing. Further information is available in the CISP brochure.
Will participating in CISP help me?
Studies of the program have found that over a two year period 50.5% of CISP participants incurred no further charges and a 30.4% drop in re-offending frequency by those who did. There was also a remarkable decrease in the seriousness of offending post CISP program involvement.
Laura Turner
Senior Associate
Laura Turner holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Laura began her legal experience through volunteering with the Student Legal Service offering free advice to students, and through a clerkship in the conveyancing team of a law firm in Hobart. She also volunteered at a Prisoner Legal Service, assisting inmates to obtain parole. Laura has a strong focus on family law, criminal and traffic law, although looks to broaden her knowledge into migration and civil law.
Affordable Lawyers
Our Go To Court Lawyers will assist you in all areas of law. We specialise in providing legal advice urgently – at the time when you need it most. If you need a lawyer right now, today, we can help you – no matter where you are in Australia.How It Works
1. You speak directly to a lawyer
When you call the Go To Court Legal Hotline, you will be connected directly to a lawyer, every time.
2. Get your legal situation assessed
We determine the best way forward in your legal matter, free of charge. If you want to go ahead and book a face-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area.
3. We arrange everything as needed
If you want to go ahead and book a fact-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area no matter where you are and even at very short notice.
Related Law Topics
‘Incapable of Evil’ Doctrine to be Reviewed (NSW)
Early this month, the New South Wales Attorney-General’s office announced that the operation of the doctrine of doli incapax in the state would be reviewed. Doli incapax, or ‘incapable of evil’ is a centuries-old doctrine under which children younger than 14 are presumed to lack criminal capacity. The review will ....
Posted in:
Blog
Criminal Law
Expansion of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ Laws (Qld)
The Queensland government has introduced legislation to add a further 15 offences to the adult crime, adult time laws passed last year. The Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill will expand the list of offences for which a young person is to be sentenced as an adult ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Justice Responses to Sexual Violence
In February 2025 the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) tabled its report on responses to sexual violence in Australia. This page deals with the terms of reference of the inquiry, some of the common criticisms of how sexual violence is responded to and prosecuted in Australia, and other inquiries that ....
Posted in:
Blog
Criminal Law
Proposed Changes to Youth Justice Laws (Qld)
In Queensland, there are mandatory sentences that apply to adults who are found guilty of murder and other serious offences. With the state election approaching, the Liberal Nationals Party is proposing to apply mandatory sentencing laws to young people found guilty of certain offences. The Opposition is also proposing to ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Queensland
Proposed Changes for Victims Giving Evidence (Qld)
In criminal proceedings in Queensland, the law permits special measures to be implemented in cases involving special witnesses such as children, victims of alleged family violence, victims of alleged sexual violence and witnesses who have a physical, mental or intellectual impairment. These measures include excluding the accused from the courtroom ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Sylvie Maranis a Finalist in Women in Law Awards
Go To Court Lawyers is proud to announce that one of our Legal Practice Directors, Sylvie Maranis, has been named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2020 in the category of Wellness Advocate of the Year. Sylvie works in our Melbourne office, where she where she is ....
Posted in:
Blog
Criminal Law
Breaking a Lease for a COVID-19 Reason (Vic)
Please note that the legislation referred to on this page is no longer in force. On 24 April 2020 Victoria passed legislation temporarily amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 will be in force for six months. Among ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
Victoria
What is the ASIO Powers Amendment Bill?
The ASIO Powers Amendment Bill is currently before the House of Representatives. It is a bill, introduced by the Minister for Home Affairs, to amend the legislation governing the powers of arrest, questioning, search and seizure exercised by ASIO. Among others things, the bill proposes empowering ASIO to issue arrest ....
Posted in:
Australia
Criminal Law
Relaxing of Coronavirus Emergency Restrictions (Vic)
Please note that this post was published on 14 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. On 30th March 2020, the Victorian government put in place strict emergency restrictions in an attempt to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. On 1 June 2020, these restrictions were ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions (NSW)
Please note that this article was published on 12 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. From 1 June 2020, the Stage One COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales will be relaxed. The restrictions have been in place since May and were imposed under orders by ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Court Appearances and COVID-19 (WA)
Each Australian state and territory has made different changes to its court processes due to the COVID-19 crisis. While some jurisdictions have adjourned all but the most urgent court matters, others are continuing to operate their courts but doing so in a way that incorporates social distancing requirements set out ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Western Australia
George Pell Acquitted by High Court
On 7 April 2020 the High Court granted former Cardinal George Pell leave to appeal against the decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal to uphold the jury’s findings of guilt against the Cardinal in December 2018. After hearing his appeal, the High Court found that the jury ought to ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria