Location: Hamersley Street, Broome WA 6725
Phone: (08) 9192 1137
Fax: (08) 9192 1878
About Broome Courthouse
Broome Courthouse sits on Hamersley Street in the heart of Broome, Western Australia’s gateway to the Kimberley. It is one of the most historically significant and operationally busy regional courthouses in the state. The building itself — a heritage-listed, single-storey timber-framed structure raised on concrete pillars, clad in corrugated iron and designed to cope with the tropical Kimberley climate — has served continuous judicial functions since it formally opened as a courthouse on 6 September 1921. It is listed on the Western Australian State Heritage Register and remains a landmark of Broome’s civic and legal life.
Despite its heritage character, Broome Courthouse carries a caseload that reflects the demands of a significant regional centre. It serves not only the Broome township — a community of around 15,000 people — but also functions as the administrative hub for the broader West Kimberley court circuit, which extends to Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, and a network of remote Aboriginal community courts at locations including Balgo, Bidyadanga, Kalumburu, Looma, Warmun, and across the Dampier Peninsula.
In recent years the volume and complexity of matters before the court have grown substantially, driven in particular by family and domestic violence cases, drug-related offending, and property crime. In 2026, the Western Australian Department of Justice arranged an additional 12 weeks of magistrate sittings across the West Kimberley circuit to address rising case backlogs — a measure that reflects the pressure this courthouse and the communities it serves are under.
What Courts Sit at Broome Courthouse?
Broome Courthouse is a multi-jurisdictional court facility. Understanding which court will hear your matter, and at what level, is critical for managing your legal position.
Magistrates Court of Western Australia — Broome Registry
The Magistrates Court operates on a permanent, ongoing basis at Broome Courthouse. It is the entry point for virtually all criminal proceedings in Western Australia. In Broome, the Magistrates Court handles:
Criminal matters. All adult criminal proceedings in Western Australia begin in the Magistrates Court. Summary offences — those carrying lighter penalties such as minor assaults, drug possession, traffic offences, disorderly conduct, and certain theft matters — are dealt with and finalised here by a magistrate sitting alone, without a jury. For more serious indictable offences, the Magistrates Court conducts committal proceedings to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the matter to be sent to the District or Supreme Court for trial.
Bail applications. A person charged and refused bail by police can make a formal bail application before a magistrate at Broome. The Bail Act 1982 (WA) governs these applications and requires the court to consider factors including the seriousness of the alleged offending, the accused’s criminal history, community ties, and the likelihood of appearing at future proceedings.
Civil disputes. The Magistrates Court at Broome hears civil claims up to $75,000, covering debt recovery, property damage, and similar monetary disputes. A simplified minor cases procedure applies to claims up to $10,000.
Restraining orders. Applications for Family Violence Restraining Orders (FVROs) and Violence Restraining Orders (VROs) under the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) are among the highest-volume matters at Broome. These proceedings are frequently contested and can have serious long-term consequences for both applicants and respondents, including the imposition of conditions that restrict where a person may live, work, or travel in a regional community where distances and limited services make compliance complex.
District Court of Western Australia — Circuit Sittings at Broome
The District Court of Western Australia is the intermediate trial court between the Magistrates Court and the Supreme Court. It does not maintain a permanent presence in Broome but conducts regular circuit sittings at the courthouse. The District Court handles serious indictable criminal offences including sexual assault, serious assaults causing grievous bodily harm, armed robbery, serious fraud, burglary, and drug trafficking and supply offences involving commercial quantities. It also determines civil claims between approximately $75,001 and $750,000, with unlimited jurisdiction in personal injury matters, and hears appeals from the Magistrates Court.
Criminal trials in the District Court are heard before a judge and jury. If you are committed to stand trial in the District Court at Broome, you will need specialist criminal defence representation well in advance of any trial date.
Supreme Court of Western Australia — Circuit Sittings at Broome
The Supreme Court of Western Australia — the state’s highest court — also conducts circuit sittings at Broome. These sittings deal with the most serious criminal matters, including murder, manslaughter, and other offences that carry the state’s heaviest penalties, as well as complex civil litigation. Appeals from both the Magistrates Court (on questions of law) and the District Court proceed to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court circuit sittings in regional WA are scheduled in advance, and matters at this level demand urgent, experienced legal representation.
Family Court of Western Australia — Circuit Sittings at Broome
The Family Court of Western Australia is the sole state-based family court in Australia. It holds full-time sittings in Perth but conducts periodic circuit sittings in Broome, covering matters relating to parenting arrangements and the welfare of children, divorce, property settlements following the breakdown of marriage or de facto relationships, maintenance, and adoption. Family Court matters involving children can intersect with criminal proceedings, particularly where family violence allegations are present, making coordinated legal advice across both jurisdictions essential.
Common Criminal Charges Heard at Broome Courthouse
People appearing at Broome Courthouse on criminal matters face a wide spectrum of charge types. Those most frequently dealt with in the Magistrates Court sitting at Broome include:
Assault and violence offences, ranging from common assault to acts of serious violence, including matters arising from domestic and family violence incidents. The West Kimberley has historically recorded elevated rates of family violence offending, and these matters form a significant portion of the court’s criminal caseload.
Drug offences, including possession, use, and supply of cannabis, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. Broome’s position as a regional hub and tourist destination has historically made it a target for drug importation and supply activity.
Driving offences, including drink and drug driving, driving while disqualified, and offences arising from traffic incidents causing death or injury. These matters can attract mandatory disqualification periods and, in serious cases, custodial sentences.
Theft, burglary, and property offences, including shoplifting, fraud, and break-and-enter offences, are regularly before the court.
Weapons and public order offences, including possession of prohibited weapons and disorderly behaviour.
Where these matters involve more serious conduct — or where a person has prior offending history — what might initially appear to be a lower-level matter can result in imprisonment. Appearing at Broome Courthouse without legal representation, or without understanding the potential consequences of a guilty plea or of proceeding to a hearing unrepresented, carries real risk.
Your Legal Rights When Facing Criminal Charges in Western Australia
If you are facing criminal proceedings at Broome Courthouse — whether you have been charged, are under investigation, or have been asked to attend a police interview — understanding your legal rights under Western Australian law is not optional. The rights described below apply to every person appearing before the court or being questioned by police in WA, regardless of whether they live in Perth or in a remote Kimberley community.
The Right to Silence
Western Australian law recognises a fundamental right to silence. Under Section 8 of the Evidence Act 1906 (WA), a person charged with a criminal offence cannot be compelled to give evidence against themselves. In the context of a police interview, this means that — subject to very limited exceptions — you do not have to answer police questions. If you choose not to respond, no adverse inference can be drawn by a court from your silence. A jury, if your matter proceeds to trial, will be specifically directed that your exercise of the right to silence is not evidence of guilt. A magistrate or judge sitting alone is equally bound by this principle.
The limited exceptions are narrow: under the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 (WA), a person must provide their full name, address, and date of birth when lawfully required to do so by police. Beyond those identifying details, the right to remain silent is broad.
Police Caution and Interview Rights
The Criminal Investigation Act 2006 (WA) requires that before any police officer interviews a person as a suspect, they must administer a formal caution. That caution must make clear that the person is not obliged to answer any questions. Police interviews in Western Australia are generally recorded on video, and a copy of the interview must be provided to the accused or their lawyer on request. Under Section 570D of the Criminal Code (WA), evidence of an admission for a serious offence generally cannot be used in court unless it was recorded on video, or there is a reasonable excuse for the absence of a recording.
Police interviews are conducted to build the prosecution’s case. Anything said in an interview, however apparently innocuous, can be used as evidence. A person who believes they are only clarifying a misunderstanding may inadvertently confirm facts that police did not already have, contradict later evidence, or undermine a defence that would otherwise be available. This is as true in Broome as it is anywhere else in WA.
The Right to Contact a Lawyer Before Questioning
Before agreeing to participate in any police interview, you have the right to contact a lawyer. This right should be exercised. A criminal lawyer who is familiar with WA criminal procedure can assess the specific allegations against you, advise on whether it is in your interests to answer questions or exercise your right to silence, and if necessary attend the interview with you. The decision about whether to participate in a recorded police interview — and whether to answer questions or decline — is one of the most consequential decisions in any criminal matter. It should never be made alone.
The Burden of Proof
A person charged with a criminal offence in Western Australia is presumed innocent. The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the alleged offence beyond reasonable doubt. You are not required to prove your innocence, explain yourself, or fill gaps in the prosecution’s case. Understanding this principle — and not acting in a way that inadvertently assists the prosecution — is part of what effective legal representation delivers.
Bail at Broome Courthouse
If you or a family member has been arrested and refused police bail in Broome or the surrounding region, an urgent bail application can be made at Broome Courthouse. Bail determinations in WA are governed by the Bail Act 1982 (WA). The court will assess the strength of the prosecution case, the seriousness and circumstances of the alleged offending, the accused’s criminal history, community and family ties, accommodation, and any risk they may pose to victims or witnesses.
In a regional setting like Broome, where distances to Perth are significant and community connections can be tightly woven, bail conditions imposed may include reporting obligations, geographic restrictions, and conditions designed to protect complainants in family violence matters. Having a lawyer represent you at a bail hearing — who can properly articulate your ties to the community, your circumstances, and propose workable bail conditions — substantially improves the prospects of a bail grant.
Appealing a Magistrates Court Decision from Broome
If a magistrate at Broome Courthouse convicts or sentences you and you believe the decision was wrong, you have a right to appeal. Appeals from the Magistrates Court in Western Australia go to the District Court or, on questions of law, to the Supreme Court. Time limits for lodging appeals are strict and strictly enforced. Legal advice about the merits and process of an appeal should be sought as soon as possible following a conviction or sentence.
Legal Assistance Available in Broome
A number of legal services operate in or travel to Broome to assist people with matters before the courthouse. Legal Aid Western Australia provides representation for eligible accused persons in criminal matters and can be contacted for advice on eligibility and services. The Aboriginal Family Legal Service (AFLS) has a Broome office at (08) 9193 5455 and provides specialist assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families across the Kimberley, including in family violence, child protection, and criminal matters. Private criminal defence lawyers, including those based in Perth with regional Kimberley experience, also appear regularly at Broome Courthouse and can assist with all levels of proceedings from Magistrates Court through to Supreme Court circuit sittings.
Regardless of which service you engage, the most important step is to seek legal advice before your first appearance, before agreeing to a police interview, and before entering any plea. The outcome of criminal proceedings is significantly shaped by decisions made at the earliest possible stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to appear in person at Broome Courthouse if I live remotely? In most cases, yes — though for some mention hearings and minor matters it may be possible for a lawyer to appear on your behalf. You should confirm the requirement with your lawyer or the court registry as soon as you receive a court date.
What happens if I miss a court date at Broome Courthouse? A magistrate can issue a warrant for your arrest if you fail to appear without a lawful excuse. If you are on bail, your bail may be revoked. Contact a lawyer immediately if you have missed or are at risk of missing a hearing.
Can a lawyer from Perth appear at Broome Courthouse? Yes. Perth-based criminal lawyers appear regularly at Broome, particularly for District and Supreme Court circuit sittings. Travel and accommodation costs may apply. Many lawyers with Kimberley experience also appear via telephone or video link for preliminary mention hearings.
I have been asked to come in for a police interview — do I have to? If you have not been arrested, attendance at a police interview is voluntary. However, the question of whether and how to engage with police is one that requires individual legal advice before you respond. Do not agree to an interview before speaking with a lawyer.
What is the difference between a summary offence and an indictable offence? Summary offences are less serious matters dealt with and finalised in the Magistrates Court without a jury. Indictable offences are more serious and may be heard in the District or Supreme Court before a judge and jury, though some can be heard summarily in the Magistrates Court by agreement or election. The distinction affects potential penalties, court process, and the strategy available to your defence.
Contact and Court Details
Broome Courthouse Hamersley Street, Broome WA 6725 Phone: (08) 9192 1137 Fax: (08) 9192 1878
If you or someone you know is facing court proceedings at Broome Courthouse — whether for a criminal charge, a restraining order, a bail application, or any other matter — getting proper legal advice before the first appearance is the most important step you can take.