Frankston sits at the foot of Port Phillip Bay, the point where bayside South East Melbourne meets the Mornington Peninsula. It's a busy regional hub — the end of the train line, the gateway to Mount Eliza, Mornington and the wine country beyond — and that means the local courts handle a steady flow of work. Most matters for Frankston and the surrounding suburbs start at the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Fletcher Road, while serious charges that have to go before a judge and jury are committed up to the County Court in Melbourne. The Nepean Highway and Peninsula Link carry heavy traffic in and out of the city every day, the foreshore and Wells Street precinct draw big weekend crowds, and a growing population keeps the courts and police busy with everything from drink driving and assault to family breakdowns. Whatever you're facing, you don't have to work it out alone or wait days to speak to someone.
Criminal Law in Frankston
In Frankston, most criminal charges begin at the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Fletcher Road, where you'll have your first appearance, deal with bail, and have summary (less serious) matters and committal hearings dealt with. More serious indictable charges — aggravated assault, sexual offences, armed robbery, major drug offences and large-scale fraud — are committed up to the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, where they're heard before a judge and jury under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
The foreshore, the Bayside shopping centre and the Wells Street bar and entertainment strip generate a regular flow of assault, affray, theft and drug charges, especially on weekends. A charge is not a conviction, and what you do in the first 48 hours often shapes how it ends.
In Victoria you have the right to silence — beyond giving your name and address you generally don't have to answer police questions, and it's usually wise to speak to a lawyer first. A lawyer can advise you before any police interview, apply for bail, and start building your defence or a plea in mitigation straight away.
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Family Law in Frankston
Family law in Frankston — parenting arrangements and dividing property — is dealt with under federal law by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The nearest registry to Frankston is at Dandenong, a short drive up the Peninsula Link. For most parenting disputes you're required to attempt family dispute resolution (mediation) and obtain a section 60I certificate before applying to the court, unless there's family violence or genuine urgency.
Separating is one of the hardest things a person goes through, and it's common across Frankston and the Peninsula suburbs. Property can be divided without going to court if you can reach agreement, and parenting arrangements are always decided on what is in the best interests of the child.
Where there's family violence, a Family Violence Intervention Order is a separate, state process heard in the Frankston Magistrates' Court and can be dealt with urgently. A lawyer can explain your options and protect your position from the very start.
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Divorce in Frankston
Divorce is a federal process under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), and it's separate from sorting out property or parenting — it simply ends the marriage. You can apply once you've been separated for at least 12 months, and in some cases you can be "separated under one roof".
Applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal rather than over a counter, and can be made on your own (a sole application) or together (a joint application). For Frankston, family law and divorce are handled by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with the nearest registry at Dandenong. You'll generally need your marriage certificate, and where there are children under 18 the court must be satisfied that proper arrangements are in place for them.
Getting the application right the first time avoids weeks of delay. A lawyer can prepare and lodge it for you and make sure property and parenting are handled properly alongside it.
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Drink Driving in Frankston
Drink driving in Frankston is charged under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) and heard in the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Fletcher Road. The general limit in Victoria is 0.05, but a zero blood alcohol limit applies to learner and probationary drivers and to certain licence types — and the penalties climb sharply with the size of the reading.
Road policing is heavy across Frankston and the Peninsula, particularly on the Nepean Highway, Peninsula Link and Frankston-Dandenong Road and around the foreshore on weekends and holidays. A drink driving conviction in Victoria carries a mandatory licence disqualification, and how long depends on your reading, whether it's a first or repeat offence, and the circumstances. Many drivers are also required to complete a behaviour change program and fit an alcohol interlock before they can drive again.
How you respond at court can make a real difference to the outcome and to how soon you're back on the road. It's worth sorting out your options with a lawyer before your court date.
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Traffic Law in Frankston
Traffic matters in Frankston run from speeding and demerit-point trouble on the Nepean Highway and Peninsula Link through to serious charges like driving while disqualified, suspended or unlicensed, and dangerous or careless driving under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic). Most of these are dealt with in the Frankston Magistrates' Court; the most serious — such as dangerous driving causing death or serious injury — are indictable matters heard in the County Court in Melbourne.
Losing your licence in an outer-suburban city built around the car and the freeway can put your job and your family under real pressure, especially if you commute into Melbourne or rely on driving for work. If you're at risk through accumulated demerit points you may be able to elect a 12-month good-driving-behaviour period instead of a suspension.
The right move depends on your history and what's at stake. A lawyer can tell you quickly whether a charge is worth fighting, and how to keep you on the road wherever the law allows.
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Frankston Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Frankston are:
Frankston Magistrates' Court
Fletcher Road, Frankston VIC 3199. The main court for Frankston and the surrounding bayside and Peninsula suburbs. It hears all summary offences, some indictable offences and committal hearings, civil disputes up to $100,000, and personal safety and family violence intervention orders. A short walk from the Frankston train station and bus interchange.
County Court of Victoria (Melbourne)
250 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. Frankston does not have its own County Court — serious indictable charges (such as aggravated assault, sexual offences, major drug offences and dangerous driving causing death or injury) are committed up from Frankston and heard here before a judge and jury.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Dandenong registry)
53–55 Robinson Street, Dandenong VIC 3175. The nearest family law registry to Frankston, handling parenting, property and divorce under federal law. Divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
What to Do Right Now
1
If police want to question you, give only your name and address — you have the right to silence in Victoria. Politely tell them you want to speak to a lawyer first.
2
Write everything down while it's fresh: what happened, dates and times, the names of any witnesses, and anything the police said or did.
3
Check your paperwork for your first court date and confirm it's the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Fletcher Road. Missing a court date can lead to a warrant or losing your licence by default.
4
Call Legal Hotline now — free, any time. Tell us what's happened and we'll connect you with a lawyer for your Frankston matter, usually within the hour.
Frankston Legal Questions
Which court will my Frankston matter be heard in?
Most matters start at the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Fletcher Road, which deals with summary offences, committals, intervention orders and smaller civil disputes. Serious indictable charges are committed up to the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, where they're heard before a judge and jury. Family law and divorce are handled by the Federal Circuit and Family Court, with the nearest registry at Dandenong.
Can I get a lawyer the same day in Frankston?
Yes. Call the free hotline and we can have a lawyer working on your matter — anywhere in Australia, including across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula — usually within the hour.
I've been charged with drink driving in Frankston — will I lose my licence?
Almost certainly there will be a disqualification period under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic), and how long depends on your reading and whether it's a first or repeat offence. Many drivers also have to complete a behaviour change program and fit an alcohol interlock. Speak to a lawyer before your Frankston Magistrates' Court date.
Do I have to go to a courthouse to start a divorce?
No. Divorce is a federal process — applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal once you've been separated for at least 12 months. A lawyer can prepare it for you; the Federal Circuit and Family Court handles Frankston family matters, with the nearest registry at Dandenong.
Is calling Legal Hotline really free?
Yes. The information line is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call any time to understand where you stand — no cost, no obligation.