Criminal law
If you have been arrested by police or charged with an offence it is important to speak with a lawyer.
NAAJA helps Aboriginal adults and children across the Northern Territory who are facing criminal charges in the Youth Justice Court, Local Court, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeal, and, in some circumstances, the High Court of Australia.
NAAJA lawyers also attend bush courts in:
- Darwin region — Milikapiti (Snake Bay), Wurrumiyanga, Maningrida, Gumbalanya, Jabiru, Daly River and Wadeye
- Katherine region — Barunga, Ngukurr, Timber Creek, Borroloola, Kalgarindji and Lajamanu
- Central Australia — Tennant Creek, Hermannsburg, Papunya, Yuendumu, Mutitjulu, Kintore, Ali-Curung, Docker River and Elliot.
We provide:
Legal advice on criminal charges or police investigations over the phone or in person
24-hour legal advice, information and welfare checks for people arrested or taken into police custody (custody notification service)
Assistance obtaining interpreters for clients in their language
Specialised services for vulnerable persons, including young people and defendants with mental health issues and other disabilities
To ensure that our services are directed towards applicants in greatest need of assistance, applications for Aboriginal casework are subject to a means test.
Depending upon the results of the means test, applicants will fall into one of three categories:
- applicants eligible to receive free legal assistance
- applicants eligible to receive legal assistance subject to payment of contributions (on a sliding scale) towards the cost of assistance
- applicants not eligible to receive legal aid assistance.
Custody notification service (CNS)
The custody notification service started in 2019 following a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Since then, NAAJA has provided a 24-hour telephone service for Aboriginal people taken into police custody. The Territory-wide service gives Aboriginal and Torres Islanders telephone access to trained NAAJA staff who provide a wellbeing check, legal advice, and important information concerning police and the legal process.
It also makes referrals, where appropriate, to service providers to assist people when they are released.
The service aims to reduce avoidable harms suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in police custody and to ensure they understand and exercise their rights when dealing with police.
CNS family assist line
If you are concerned about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who has been taken into police custody, you can call the CNS family assist line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on (08) 7902 9315. You will be asked to leave a message and one of our staff will call you back as soon as possible to provide you with information and assistance.