Logan is one of the largest and most multicultural cities in Queensland, sitting on the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and growing fast. It doesn't have a courthouse of its own — instead, Logan matters are split between two Magistrates Courts. Suburbs in the south and east of the city, such as Logan Central, Loganlea, Eagleby and Beenleigh, are dealt with at the Beenleigh courthouse, which also houses a District Court for serious charges. The western and north-western suburbs closer to Brisbane — Browns Plains, Marsden, Crestmead and Logan Reserve — are generally heard at the Richlands Magistrates Court. With heavy traffic on the M1 and Logan Motorway, a young and diverse population, and steady pressure on local police, these courts deal with everything from assault and drink driving to family breakdowns and traffic charges every single day. Whatever you're facing, you don't have to work it out alone or wait days to speak to someone.
Criminal Law in Logan
In Logan, most criminal charges begin in the Magistrates Court — Beenleigh for the south and east of the city, or Richlands for the western suburbs near Brisbane. That's where you'll have your first appearance, deal with bail, and have less serious (summary) matters finalised. More serious indictable charges — serious assault, sexual offences, major drug offences and fraud — are committed up to the District or Supreme Court and heard before a judge and jury, with the Beenleigh complex sitting District Court matters for the area.
Offences in Queensland are governed mainly by the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld). A charge is not a conviction, and what you do in the first 48 hours often shapes how it ends.
In Queensland you have the right to silence — beyond giving your name and address you 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 Logan
Family law in Logan — parenting arrangements and dividing property — is dealt with under federal law by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Logan doesn't have its own family registry; matters are handled by the Brisbane registry at the Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts on North Quay. 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 in a large, fast-growing city like Logan these matters are common. 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 Domestic Violence Order is a separate, state process heard in the Beenleigh or Richlands 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 Logan
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 Logan, divorce matters are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court through its Brisbane registry. 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 Logan
Drink driving in Logan is charged under section 79 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) and heard in the Magistrates Court — Beenleigh for most of the city, or Richlands toward the Brisbane end. Queensland has four alcohol-limit categories: no alcohol (for learners, P-platers and certain licences), the general limit (0.05 to 0.099), the middle limit (0.10 to 0.149) and the high range (0.15 and over). The higher the reading, the heavier the penalty.
Road policing is heavy across Logan, particularly along the M1 and the Logan Motorway and on weekends and holidays, and drivers are regularly caught at booze buses on the main arterials. A conviction carries a mandatory licence disqualification, and how long depends on your reading, your traffic history and the circumstances.
For some first-time, lower-range offences you may be able to apply for a work (restricted) licence so you can keep driving for your job. Whether you're eligible — and how to put your case — is worth sorting out with a lawyer before your court date.
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Traffic Law in Logan
Traffic matters in Logan run from speeding and demerit-point trouble on the M1 and Logan Motorway through to serious charges like driving while disqualified, unlicensed or suspended, and dangerous operation of a vehicle. These offences sit under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld). Minor matters are dealt with in the Beenleigh or Richlands Magistrates Court; dangerous driving causing harm can be an indictable matter heard in the District Court.
Losing your licence in a sprawling city built around the motorway can put your job and your family under real pressure. If you're at risk through demerit points you may be able to elect a good-driving-behaviour period, and in some situations apply for a special hardship licence.
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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Logan Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Logan are:
Beenleigh Magistrates Court
Corner of Kent and James Streets, Beenleigh. Hears criminal, traffic, drink-driving and domestic violence matters, and is where most charges from Logan's southern and eastern suburbs — including Logan Central, Loganlea, Eagleby and Beenleigh — begin.
Beenleigh District Court
At the same Beenleigh complex on the corner of Kent and James Streets. Hears the more serious indictable charges for the Logan area before a judge and jury, after they are committed up from the Magistrates Court.
Richlands Magistrates Court
Corner of Old Progress and Archerfield Roads, Richlands. Serves Logan's western and north-western suburbs closer to Brisbane — including Browns Plains, Marsden, Crestmead and Logan Reserve — for criminal, traffic, drink-driving and domestic violence matters.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Brisbane registry)
Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts, 119 North Quay, Brisbane. Handles Logan family law and divorce — parenting, property and divorce applications 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 Queensland. 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 which courthouse — Beenleigh or Richlands. 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 Logan matter, usually within the hour.
Logan Legal Questions
Which court will my Logan matter be heard in?
It depends where in Logan you are. Matters from the south and east of the city — Logan Central, Loganlea, Eagleby and Beenleigh — are usually heard at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court, with serious charges going up to the Beenleigh District Court. The western suburbs near Brisbane, such as Browns Plains and Marsden, are generally heard at the Richlands Magistrates Court. Family law and divorce are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court through its Brisbane registry.
Can I get a lawyer the same day in Logan?
Yes. Call the free hotline and we can have a lawyer working on your matter — anywhere in Australia, including right across Logan — usually within the hour.
I've been charged with drink driving in Logan — will I lose my licence?
Almost certainly there will be a disqualification period under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld), and how long depends on your reading and your history. For some first, lower-range offences you may be able to apply for a work licence. Speak to a lawyer before your Beenleigh or Richlands 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's Brisbane registry handles Logan family matters.
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.