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Legal Assistance

Greensborough Legal Referral Service
The Diamond Valley Community Support (formerly CIDV) Legal Service offers free legal advice and referral on alternate Thursdays between 6 and 7pm (check website for dates). This service is offered to members of the community who find it difficult to obtain legal advice.
Ph: 9435 8282 or 9435 5440
Fax: 9432 4147
Email: info@dvsupport.org.au
www.dvsupport.org.au
 
North East Citizen Advocacy
Is a community-based program that aims to recognise, promote and protect the rights and interests of people with intellectual disabilities.
208 Burgundy Street,
Heidelberg. 3084.
Ph: 9459 6002.
www.citizenadvocacy.com.au
 
 
West Heidelberg Community Legal Service
West Heidelberg Legal Service provides initial advice by appointment in all areas of law. The service offers casework assistance up to, and including court representations.
Fines Clinic
Newly started, the Fines Clinic is operating every Monday at the Community Health Centre. Volunteers at the Fines Clinic will assist young people to prepare and present material to the Registrar at the Children's Court.
All enquires from young people supported
21 Alamein Road,
West Heidelberg. 3081.
Ph: 9450 2002
www.whcls.org.au
www.communitylaw.org.au/westheidelberg

Youthlaw
Youthlaw provide free and confidential legal advice to people under the age of 25. Available Monday to Friday, 2-5pm.
Frontyard,
19 King Street,
Melbourne. 3000. (Between Flinders Lane and Flinders Street.)
Ph: 9611 2412.
Email: info@youthlaw.asn.au
www.youthlaw.asn.au

Lawstuff
Legal advice via the internet for young people. You can ask a legal question via email, view online resources on topics like junvenile justice and weapons, or watch an animation to find out what to expect in court.
www.lawstuff.org.au

Women's Legal Service Victoria
Is a legal service for women specialising in relationship breakdown and violence against women. WLSV provides face-to-face legal services including court representation and telephone legal advice and referral.
Level 3,
43 Hardware Lane,
Melbourne. 3000.
Ph: 9642 0877.
Freecall: 1800 133 302.
www.womenslegal.org.au
 
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
VALS provides legal aid and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
6 Alexander Parade,
Fitzroy. 3065.
Ph: 9419 3888
Freecall: 1800 064 865.
vals.org.au  
Legal Aid Victoria
Legal information about school, sex, carrying weapons, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, health, the police and courts, relationships, tattoos and body piercing.
350 Queen Street,
Melbourne. 3000.
Ph: 9269 0120.
www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Court Network
Court Network provides personal support, information and programs to those in contact with the justice system.
Ground floor,
565 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne. 3000.
Ph: 9603 7433. (Referral and information.)
Freecall: 1800 681 614.
www.courtnetwork.com.au

Job Watch Inc
Provides a free and confidential telephone information and referral service. Also provides some case work in the area of employment law.
Ph: 9662 1933
Freecall: 1800 331 617
www.jobwatch.org.au
 
Banyule Support and Information Centre
Collection of up-to-date pamphlets/information on matters such as financial assistance and counselling. Trained staff will help refer you to your required service. Free legal advice is offered ever second Wednesday from 7pm.
101 Burgundy Street,
Heidelberg. 3084.
Ph: 9459 5959.
www.bansic.org.au
 
Consumer Action Law Centre
Consumer Action provides free legal advice and representation to vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers across Victoria and is the largest specialist consumer legal practice in Australia.
Ph: 03 9629 6300
www.consumeraction.org.au
 
Consumer Action Money Help
A free, confidential and independant financial information service for Victorians experiencing difficulty paying their rent or mortgage or facing job loss or reduced working hours.
Ph: Freecall 1800 149 689
www.moneyhelp.org.au
 
Tenants Union of Victoria
The Tenants Union of Victoria aims to inform and educate tenants about their rights, improve conditions for tenants, imrove the status of tenants and represent the collective interests of tenants in law and policy making. They provide advice, assistance and advocacy for tenants of private and public residential properties, and residents of rooming houses and caravans parks in Victoria.
Ph: 9416 2577
www.tuv.org.au
 
 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

  • You should give you name and address to police if requested. Police must tell you their reason for questioning you and give their name, rank and place of work if asked by you. If you refuse or give a false name and address you can be charged and fined $500.
  • You do not have to go anywhere with the police unless arrested. The police must tell you "You are under arrest", and state why you are under arrest.
  • If arrested, you have the right to phone a lawyer. You should ask for this. You also have the right to phone a friend or relative.
  • You do not have to answer other police questions. Be calm and polite. There is no such thing as an "off the record" statement. If you have a clear explanation of your innocence, it may be advisable to give this to your lawyer first. Sometimes you can get into trouble by answering police questions. To each and every question (other than your name and address), answer "No comment until I get legal advice".
  • If you are under 17 years old, the police cannot question you without a parent, guardian or an independent adult present.
  • You "have to" give your fingerprints if you are 15 years old or over, and the police suspect that you may have committed an offence. Police may use reasonable force to take your fingerprints. If you are between 10 and 14, you "don't have to" give your fingerprints unless both you and a parent/guardian agree, or the police obtain a court order.
  • You have the right to refuse your photograph being taken, or being put in an identification "line-up".
  • Police may request you undergo a forensic procedure (eg blood sample, taking pubic hair or saliva). Say no to this, as the police must get a court order first.
  • Police can only search you, or your car, if they reasonably suspect illegal drugs, weapons, stolen gods or to preserve evidence. Otherwise, a search warrant is required.
  • Police must provide an interpreter if they believe that you require one.