About Roebourne Courthouse
Roebourne Courthouse is a Magistrates Court of Western Australia sitting located at Hampton Street, Roebourne WA 6718, in the Pilbara region of north-west Western Australia. The town of Roebourne sits approximately 35 kilometres from Karratha, 202 kilometres from Port Hedland, and 1,563 kilometres from Perth. It lies within the City of Karratha local government area and is one of the most geographically remote court venues in the state.
The courthouse serves Roebourne and the surrounding communities of the upper Pilbara, including a large Aboriginal population from Ngarluma and neighbouring language groups. Roebourne is also home to Roebourne Regional Prison, the Pilbara’s regional correctional facility, which makes the local courthouse a significant point of intersection between criminal proceedings, remand, and the custodial system in this part of the state.
The courthouse operates as a circuit court — magistrates travel from Karratha or Perth to conduct sittings. It does not have a permanently stationed magistrate. Sitting days are scheduled, not daily. Anyone with a matter listed at Roebourne should confirm the sitting schedule with the Karratha Magistrates Court registry before attending.
Phone: (08) 9182 1281
Postal address: Hampton Street, Roebourne WA 6718
What Matters Does Roebourne Courthouse Hear?
Roebourne Courthouse sits as a Magistrates Court of Western Australia. The Magistrates Court is the entry point for all criminal matters in WA, and handles the majority of cases from start to finish.
At Roebourne, the court deals with:
Summary criminal matters — offences heard and determined entirely by a magistrate, without a jury. These include assault, disorderly conduct, criminal damage, drug possession, drink driving, traffic offences, breaches of violence restraining orders, and other offences carrying penalties within the Magistrates Court’s jurisdiction.
Indictable matters heard summarily — some more serious indictable offences can be dealt with by a magistrate by consent of the accused, rather than proceeding to the District Court for trial.
Committal proceedings — for serious indictable offences that must be heard in the District Court or Supreme Court, Roebourne Courthouse may conduct preliminary committal hearings to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to put the accused on trial.
Bail applications — including urgent applications for people held in custody pending trial or sentencing.
Violence Restraining Orders — applications for protection orders, as well as contested hearings about whether orders should be made.
Children’s Court matters — the Children’s Court may also sit at Roebourne for matters involving young people under 18, with the Children’s Court jurisdiction applied to the sitting.
Serious indictable offences — including murder, manslaughter, rape, aggravated robbery, and major drug offences — are heard in the District Court or Supreme Court of Western Australia. Those courts conduct circuit sittings at Karratha, which is the regional centre for higher court proceedings in the Pilbara. A case originating at Roebourne Courthouse can be committed to Karratha for District Court trial.
The Circuit Court System: What It Means Practically
Roebourne operates on a circuit basis. A magistrate — typically flying in or driving from Karratha or Perth — attends on scheduled sitting days. Between sittings, the courthouse may be unattended or staffed only for registry purposes.
This creates practical implications that do not arise at permanently-staffed metropolitan courts:
Your court date is fixed to a sitting day. If you miss a sitting, the next available date may be weeks away. Warrants for failure to appear are issued promptly, and in a remote community like Roebourne, the consequences of a warrant — including arrest and remand — can be severe.
Adjournments require advance planning. If you need to adjourn a matter, you must apply well in advance of the sitting. A last-minute request on the day, particularly without legal representation, is unlikely to succeed.
Legal representation requires early engagement. Lawyers travelling to Roebourne for circuit sittings — whether from Karratha, Perth, or through Legal Aid — need advance notice. Do not leave finding a lawyer until the week before your court date.
Remote attendance may be available. In some circumstances, parties who cannot travel to Roebourne may be able to appear by telephone or video link. This requires prior arrangement with the court registry — it is not automatic.
Your Legal Rights Before and During Court
Whether you are appearing as an accused person, a respondent to a restraining order, or in any other capacity, you have legal rights that apply from the earliest stages of any investigation or prosecution.
The right to silence. The right to silence in Western Australia is a fundamental common law protection, now reflected in section 8 of the Evidence Act 1906 (WA). You cannot be compelled to give evidence against yourself. Police must caution you before interviewing you as a suspect, informing you that you are not obliged to say or do anything and that anything you say or do may be used in evidence against you. No adverse inference can be drawn against you in court because you chose to say nothing to police. A jury or magistrate cannot treat your silence as evidence of guilt.
The right to a lawyer. The Criminal Investigation Act 2006 (WA) requires police to inform arrested persons of their right to communicate with a lawyer before being interviewed. That right must be given effect — the interview cannot lawfully proceed until you have had a reasonable opportunity to obtain legal advice. Insist on this right clearly and immediately.
The right to an interpreter. If English is not your first language, or you have difficulty understanding what is being said, you have the right to an interpreter in both police interviews and court proceedings. Courts in Roebourne regularly deal with defendants whose first language is an Aboriginal language. Ask for an interpreter before your interview or hearing if you need one.
The right to know the charges against you. You are entitled to be told what offence you are charged with, in sufficient detail to understand what is alleged and to prepare a response. If you do not understand the charge, say so clearly.
The presumption of innocence. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution must prove every element of every charge beyond reasonable doubt. You are not required to prove your innocence, offer an explanation, or say anything at all.
What You Must Tell Police in Western Australia
The right to silence is broad but not absolute. Under the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 (WA), police can require you to provide your full name, date of birth, and current address in circumstances where they have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed or are about to commit an offence, or where they believe you may be able to assist an investigation. Refusing to provide these details, or providing false information, is itself an offence.
Additionally:
- If police pull you over while driving, you must provide your name and address, produce your licence, and submit to a breath test or blood sample if required under road traffic laws.
- If you are on licensed premises, police may ask for proof of age and you must comply.
- If police require a DNA sample from a person charged with a serious offence, that person must comply.
Beyond these specific categories, your right to silence remains intact. Everything else you say to police — before or after the caution — can be used as evidence against you.
Appearing at Roebourne Courthouse: What to Expect
Arrive early. Circuit courts deal with multiple matters on a sitting day. Matters are called from a list, and you may not know exactly when your matter will be reached. Arrive before the sitting begins and notify registry staff that you are present.
Dress conservatively. Courts expect a basic level of respect in appearance. Neat, clean clothing appropriate for a formal setting is appropriate regardless of the nature of the matter.
Bring your documents. If you have received bail conditions, a summons, or any previous court documents, bring them with you. Registry staff and any lawyer assisting you will need to see these.
Know your matter. Understand the basics of what you are there for — the charge, the next procedural step, and whether you intend to enter a plea if one is required. If you are unsure, your lawyer should advise you before the sitting.
If you cannot attend. If you are ill, have transport difficulties, or face another genuine obstacle to attending, contact the court registry and your lawyer as soon as possible. Do not simply fail to appear — a warrant for non-appearance is issued with significant consequences.
Legal Help Available in the Pilbara
Several services provide legal assistance to people appearing at Roebourne Courthouse:
Legal Aid WA operates a Pilbara Regional Office, providing duty lawyers for Magistrates Court and Children’s Court circuits. Duty lawyers are available on sitting days for criminal matters. Contact Legal Aid WA at 1300 650 579 (Infoline) to enquire about eligibility and assistance.
Pilbara Community Legal Service (PCLS) is a community legal centre providing free legal help across the Pilbara. PCLS has its head office in Karratha and a regional office in Roebourne. It provides assistance with criminal matters, family violence, family law, and criminal injuries compensation. Contact PCLS at (08) 9185 5899 or visit their Roebourne office.
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) of WA provides free legal representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Given the high proportion of Aboriginal defendants appearing at Roebourne Courthouse, ALS plays a significant role in local legal representation. The ALS provides duty lawyers at circuit court sittings throughout the Pilbara.
If you face a serious matter — any charge that could result in imprisonment — you should seek legal representation before your first court appearance, not on the day. Duty lawyers assist at court but cannot prepare a full defence in the minutes available on a sitting day.
Roebourne Courthouse: Contact Details
Address: Hampton Street, Roebourne WA 6718
Phone: (08) 9182 1281
Fax: (08) 9182 1191
For registry enquiries and to confirm sitting days, contact the Karratha Magistrates Court, which administers the Roebourne circuit: Address: Balmoral Road, Karratha WA 6714 Phone: (08) 9185 2922
Emergencies: 000
Legal Aid WA Infoline: 1300 650 579
Pilbara Community Legal Service: (08) 9185 5899
Take Legal Advice Before Your Court Date
Appearing at a circuit court in a remote community without legal representation puts you at a significant disadvantage. Magistrates conduct multiple matters quickly on circuit days. Unrepresented defendants often do not understand procedural steps, do not know what to say or not say at a bail application, and may enter a plea without understanding its consequences.
If you are facing criminal charges at Roebourne Courthouse — or any matter involving restraining orders, bail, or custody — engage a lawyer before the sitting day. Legal Aid, the Aboriginal Legal Service, and the Pilbara Community Legal Service all provide free or subsidised assistance. Use those services early.