The Circuit (2007–2010): Season 1, Episode 1 - It's a Long Way Home - full transcript
- [Narrator] Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this program
may contain images and sounds
that relate to deceased persons.
(soft rock music)
(engine revving)
(faint speaking on radio)
(yawns)
(tires screeching)
(car alarm wailing)
(coughs)
(camel grunts)
- Your Honor, my client
has a long history
of drug and alcohol abuse,
but he has indicated
that he's willing to enter
rehab on this occasion.
He also understands that
he has to clean up his act.
- Now we've got a new lawyer.
He's starting from next week.
We're gonna have
to reschedule you.
Ask you to come back, okay?
- Can I have my mud crabs back?
- I don't think so.
- Rehab for the wrong reasons.
Still, I will allow him
the benefit of the doubt.
He is to enter rehab as soon
as a bed becomes available
and is to remain there
for the duration.
If he leaves, he will go to
Broome Prison for six months.
(client retching)
Is that clear?
- Yes, Your Honor.
Shame our new
fella's missing this.
- Yeah, he's probably
gone back to Perth
with his tail between
his legs already.
("Feel Like Going Back
Home" by Ernie Dingo)
♪ I feel like going back home ♪
♪ Right now while the
mangoes are ripe ♪
♪ Frangapani's
starting to bloom ♪
♪ And the blue bone
starting to bite ♪
- Thanks, mate.
♪ Hey, mum, I can just taste
your fish soup and rice ♪
♪ I'm coming back home to you ♪
♪ Can't hack the pace
of the city life ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Lazy breeze flowing
through your mind ♪
♪ Sky blue sea, catch
a feed there anytime ♪
♪ Hey, dad, we're gonna rang
a little jonna tonight ♪
♪ Make a right and
sing with the moon ♪
♪ Can't hack the pace
of the city life ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
- Hello?
Is anyone there?
(ripping)
Shit.
Hello?
(soft rock music)
- Oi.
What are you doing, mate?
- Oh, I'm just trying to
get my keys out of my car.
- How about you
just keep your hands
where I can seem
them, all right?
- Look, can I get you anything?
Coffee, tea, water?
- No, what I want you
to do is to do your job
and sort this mess out.
It hasn't been a great day.
- We've got someone working
on your story right now, okay?
- And how hard would that be?
You just have to
look at my license,
check out the
registration on the car.
Or does Broome
time affect the way
that you guys do
your job as well?
(phone ringing)
Where's your Mum?
- Okay, now you understand
that you're on bail, eh?
- Yep.
- Now, Debbie, it's
important that you turn up
to court on Wednesday,
at Jalwarra, at the Mish.
If you don't turn up,
they can put you in jail.
This is serious.
- Okay.
- And you call me if you need me
to explain things again, right?
- All right.
Come on, slow coach.
(soft rock music)
- Sam?
This guy reckons
he's one of yours.
- Drew Ellis.
I'm the new ALS lawyer.
- Sam Wallan.
You didn't have to come
all the way down here
to meet me, mate.
You know you gotta work with
those guys while you're here.
Some of 'em are bastards,
but most are okay.
You want to keep them
on your good side.
- If that's how they
treat someone like me,
I can imagine how
some poor bastard
without a clue gets treated.
Must drive you mad.
- You get used to 'em.
- Go slow now, we've
got a gig to play.
- Hey, you worry too much, cuz.
- [Bella] I suppose I can't
ask you to control him.
- Have you met me?
- So what do we know about him?
- Not much.
I've talked to him on the phone.
He seems all right.
- Black fella?
- Yeah, Peter was pleased.
- Coconut.
- Why does every
black fella with a job
count as a coconut to you?
- Because they are.
He's a lawyer, of
course he's a coconut.
- So what now?
Am I a coconut too then?
- Yep.
Hey!
- Awww.
- Well, I hope he
knows what he's doing,
'cause God knows we
need a body up here.
- Where's he from?
- Perth.
- How old is he?
- Why, are you trawling?
- Just interested.
He could be washed up and
at the end of his career,
hence Broome.
- Hey!
- Or, or climbing the ladder
and heading off to a
cushy Canberra job, hey?
Hence Broome.
- You should do a story on him.
Probably get some
interesting stuff.
- Yeah, I might.
If he's cute.
Joke, Joyce.
- Well, I see he's on
Broome time already.
- [Truck Driver] Yeah,
not your day, eh?
- Nah.
- Sam.
- Mate.
Is that yours?
- Yeah.
- No wonder they
thought you'd nicked it.
(laughing)
(rock music)
♪ I wanna run where the
desert meets the sea ♪
♪ Follow the sun, yeah,
I hear it calling me ♪
♪ Flying away into a
place I need to be ♪
- Hide me.
You're funny.
♪ I wanna run where the
desert meets the sea ♪
♪ Follow the sun, yeah,
I hear it calling me ♪
♪ Flying away into a
place I need to be ♪
♪ Follow the sun ♪
- Drew?
This is Peter Lockhart.
He's our Magistrate.
- Hey, Peter.
- Hi, Drew.
Very pleased to
have you on board.
Settled in okay?
- Fine.
- Sorry about the mix
up with the flat, mate.
We tried to get some
furniture to tide you over,
but they got the dates wrong.
- That's fine.
- Your wife not with you?
- Uh, no, couldn't get away.
A big case.
She's probably coming up soon.
Well, I'm hoping
she comes up soon.
- Oh, she's a solicitor?
- Yep.
Oh, bring her up.
We could use another lawyer.
- You've met Sam.
This is Ellie
Szabiska, Legal Aid.
- Hey, Ellie.
- You're a sight for sore eyes.
We haven't had anyone
from ALS for months.
We're all pretty buggered.
- What do you think
of the singer?
- Oh yeah, pretty good.
- That's a good answer.
That's Bella.
She's our Clerk of the Courts.
This is Bob Temple,
our Police Prosecutor.
- Gidday, Drew.
- Gidday, Bob.
- Um, this one's on me.
What's your poison?
- Scotch on the rocks, thanks.
- I'll give you a hand.
♪ Follow the sun ♪
♪ Follow the sun ♪
(audience applauds and cheers)
- You must be our
missing lawyer.
I'm Bella.
- Drew Ellis.
- Clarry, white
sheep of the family.
- Drew.
- (laughs) Clarry's my cousin.
So, sounds like you
had the day from hell.
- You can say that again.
- Still, not many lawyers
can say they've been arrested
the second they've
stepped foot in town.
- I don't suppose we can
keep that to ourselves?
(laughs)
- Sorry, this is Broome.
Everyone knows everything.
♪ Ain't like it used to be ♪
♪ Ain't like it used to be ♪
(audience applauds and cheers)
- All right, calm down, you mob.
Um, we're here tonight to
welcome the newest member
of the Aboriginal Legal
Service, Drew Ellis.
We'd just like to say welcome,
and we're glad you came.
So, uh, speech.
(audience applauds and cheers)
- 20 bucks says he's here
to give something back.
- 10.
- You're on.
- Uh, thanks.
Thanks, Bella.
It's been an interesting
day to say the least,
but I'm very glad
to be here finally.
I hope over the next few
months I can make a difference.
That's why I'm here.
I've spent a long time living
a fairly privileged life,
different to someone
like my father.
Even though I never
knew him well,
I do know that he
suffered enormously
as one of those that was
taken, stolen from his people.
And I figured since
I've been lucky,
it's about time to
give something back.
Thank you for your
welcome to Broome.
(audience applauds and cheers)
- Hey, I'm Archie.
- Ah, Clarry's, um.
- Clarry's um?
No, that's me.
Welcome to Broome.
- Thanks.
So, how do you
fit into all this?
- I'm a journo with
the local paper.
And I string for some
of the bigger ones, too.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah, you'll see a bit
of me on the circuit.
I don't go out all the time,
but if something's
brewing, you know,
I'll put in an appearance.
- Oh, great.
Well, I hope we can give you
something good to write about.
- Yeah.
I hope so, too.
- Nice to meet ya, Archie.
- See ya.
(glasses clanking)
- You're painting
a pretty picture.
- Someone's got to.
Look, a lot of your
clients you like.
If you earn their trust,
there's no reason why
they won't like you,
but you are going
to get frustrated,
and depressed at the
relentlessness of
this whole situation.
- Ellie, look, I
should actually go.
- No!
You shouldn't.
We need you.
No, you've got to
understand some stuff.
Most of all, don't buy into
this noble savage crap.
And don't for a second believe
that everyone
you're dealing with
is hard done by
and misunderstood.
They're not all
pussycats, you know.
There are some vicious
bastards out there.
- Well, if it's that bad,
why are you still here?
- I love it.
I love it.
And I am accepted
by people who don't
have to accept me.
I'm just not going to
sugarcoat it, that's all.
There's no way you can help if
you shy away from the truth.
- You're not badgering
the poor fellow
before we even get him
into court, are you?
- Here endeth the lesson.
Sorry.
- No, no, no, thanks, really.
- No, no, no, no,
I'd better be going.
See you Monday.
(kissing)
- See you Monday.
- I'm off, too.
Listen, on Monday, why don't
you come with me on the plane?
First court and all.
Bit more comfortable.
- Yeah, no, that'd
be great, yeah.
- That'll give you a bit
more room too, eh, Sam?
- Yeah.
So where's your father from?
Is he still around?
- Oh, he died when I was young.
Now, listen, I
just wanted to say
thanks for all the help earlier.
I appreciate it.
I realize I've got
a lot to learn.
- No problem.
You come up here to get your
degree in Aboriginality, eh?
I'm only too happy to help ya.
- [Bartender] Last drinks
at the bar, thanks, folks.
Last drinks, thank you.
(bird cawing)
(plane engine buzzing)
(soft rock music)
- Have you ever wondered
how the Aboriginal painters
knew what the ground
looked like from the air?
They say it's because
they walked the land.
You okay?
Don't worry, these things
are as safe as houses.
Isn't that right, Nick?
- Houses don't fly.
- Sorry?
- Just in case.
(kids yelling)
- Come on, get up!
Hey, get up, you lazy bastards.
We've got a long
drive ahead of us.
Come on!
- [Woman] Cup of tea?
- Hey, if you're not
up in 10 seconds,
I'm gonna tell that
judge to lock you up
and throw away the key.
- You wouldn't do
that to me, bro.
- [Sam] Don't tempt me.
- [Woman] Hey, don't
forget my shopping now, eh?
- Okay.
- See ya.
(upbeat rock music)
- Take care.
Keep out of trouble, eh?
Ha, ha.
Welcome, Drew.
Come on through, mate.
I'll show you around the place.
That's your spot there.
There's nowhere really
to brief the clients
so you talk to them
outside or in the gallery.
Loos are outside.
Are we on?
- Got a couple of minutes.
- Okay, he must
be in a good mood.
- Why's that?
- Well, if he's in a bad
mood, we start bang on time.
If he's in a good mood,
we start a bit late.
This is your lot for the day.
- You're joking.
- No.
- These are all
being heard today?
- Yep, nice quiet one today.
We should be out on time.
- When do I get a chance
to brief my clients?
- [Ellie] Right now.
- I'd get a move on, though.
- I need to get a clear
understanding of the cases
and I need to be
briefed by my clients.
- Well, that's the
way it is, mate.
You'd just better
get used to it.
- Grab a list from
the Constable.
See what the order looks like.
And try to find your client,
and do a quick run
through the file,
(Drew sighs) and pray.
- Thanks.
- Hey, how was flying in?
- It was fine.
It was fine.
- You nervous?
- Listen, man, I've got
to find my first client.
Sorry.
Alfred Jones?
- Outside there, mate.
- Thank you.
(knocking)
- All stand.
The Junction Court of petty
sessions is now in order.
Magistrate Peter
Lockhart presiding.
Joseph Stillwater.
- Joseph Stillwater.
Is that your name?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Do you
understand the charges?
- [Joseph] Yes.
- [Peter] How do you plead?
- Guilty.
- Well, you tell
him, if you see him,
he's in big trouble not
turning up in court today.
- I'd like to ask that this
matter be remanded over
so that my client can
seek legal advice.
- Remanded to?
- August 10th.
- August 10.
- [Ellie] Thank you, Your Honor.
The question of bail?
- Archie Reynolds?
I'm Drew Ellis.
I'll be representing you today.
How are you?
- Bail application is denied.
I'm giving you a $600 fine
and a 12-month
suspended sentence.
That means if you do anything
wrong, you go to jail.
Okay?
- Your Honor, may I request
for the fine to be converted?
- Fine is converted to a
work in development order.
- [Court Clerk] Russell Roberts?
- Hello, Russell, I'm Drew
How are you?
I'm representing
you, Drew Ellis.
- Your Honor, it is alleged
that at approximately 12:20
on June the 12th, Mr. Roberts
came upon a branded steer
belonging to the Neilsen Station
somewhere in the vicinity
of Five Mile Creek.
It is further alleged that Mr.
Roberts slaughtered the steer
and then took the carcass
back with him to his community
where the steer was
consumed by friends
and family of the defendant.
The defendant was interviewed
and made a statement
regarding the matter,
agreeing that he did in
fact kill and eat the cow.
Steer.
- Um, apologies, Your Honor,
I'm unfamiliar with
the case at hand
and I beg a little lenience.
You took the cow?
(faint speaking)
Why, because you were hungry?
Is that why you took the cow?
Your Honor, my client
is an unemployed man
who defends his actions by
saying that he was hungry.
(crowd laughs)
He's very much a harmless man
who's been a victim of
his own circumstances.
After all, it is a man's role
to bring food into the home.
For many years, he's played
the role of the hunter.
(crowd laughs)
And one can't simply judge him
because he fulfilled that role.
Now given that the crime
itself is relatively minor,
I would ask the court
for a little leniency.
- Mr. Ellis, I can assure you
that in the Kimberley, cattle
duffing is not taken lightly.
It is not, as you put
it, a minor crime.
But I daresay your client,
hunter or not, is well aware
that branded cattle
belong to the stations.
They are not for killing.
(soft rock music)
- Yes, Your Honor.
- Is there anything
else you wish to say?
- No, Your Honor.
- I fine you $300
and you'll be ordered
to pay $600 restitution
to Neilsen Station.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Mr. Ellis, I am willing
to convert the fine
to a work in development order,
if that suits your
client better.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Court Clerk] Milly Edwards?
- The manager says that you left
and then you returned
about five minutes later.
Is that right?
- You think that's actually
better than stealing?
- Yeah, I didn't take nothing.
I was just waiting for the cops.
- And then you went behind the
bar, into a restricted area,
and stole a bottle of Bailey's?
Is there anything
I need to know?
You know, extenuating
circumstances.
Why you stole the bottle.
Well, it was nice
talking to you.
- [Court Clerk] Robert Sims?
- Your Honor, on the
11th of this month,
police officers had
cause to caution Mr. Sims
for the matter of abusive
language on Carnarvon Street,
The Junction, at
approximately 9:15 PM.
- I know it seems like an
open and shut case to you.
- He's been
disqualified more times
than I've had hot dinners.
- There's more to it than that.
- Like?
- The purpose of
smoking cannabis.
Mr. Sims cooperated with police.
No drugs were found on Mr. Sims,
but the bowl and the smoking
implement belonged to him.
- Look at that
file, no drinking.
- What, none?
- [Sam] Not much.
- [Ellie] But it is out
of character for him.
- Go through it.
- Stand up, please.
Three month suspended
sentence, $150 fine.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Court Clerk] Reg Sullivan?
- [Drew] Take a seat, please.
- Your Honor, this
is the ninth time
Mr. Sullivan has been
arrested on such a charge,
all uncontested.
He has had six such charges
in the last 11 months.
Clearly this man doesn't heed
the cautions of the court.
He's obviously
determined to drive
regardless of his
disqualified status.
I'm afraid, Your Honor,
that such behavior means
that Mr. Sullivan should be
headed for a jail sentence.
- [Peter] Thank you.
You say he was
not legally drunk?
- No, Your Honor, but he was
not legally able to drive.
- Mr. Ellis?
- Your Honor, my
client, Mr. Sullivan,
has had many medical
problems as a result
of an accident 15 years ago in
the course of his employment
at the Jacaranda Station.
He has received no help
with ongoing medical fees
or with transport to
the district hospital.
He lives on a very
remote community
and he has difficulty walking,
and there's no public
transport to or from the area.
The closest grocery store
is 150 kilometers away.
Now, if we were anywhere else,
and this man was
any other color,
he would have better opportunity
to get to medical care
and to carry out
his daily routine.
Now with respect, Your Honor,
Mr. Sullivan needs to drive
in order to get around
to be able to live
his life with dignity.
- Mr. Sullivan.
Your lawyer has argued
well on your behalf.
I understand the distances you
have to negotiate are vast,
but you must understand
that if you keep coming
before me in this court,
I will have no choice
but to send you to jail.
Do you understand that?
- Yes.
- You must not drive
a motor vehicle.
Do you understand?
- Yes.
- Please don't make
me send you to prison.
- Yes, Your Honor.
- I fine you $250,
converted to a work
and development order,
and suspend your
license for six months.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Thank you.
(soft rock music)
- Hi.
- I'll be seeing you.
- Everything okay?
- Yeah.
- Sam, is everything all right?
- Yep.
- Okay, listen, I
just wanted to know
if I could get a lift
with you to Newtown.
- Aren't you supposed to
be going on that plane?
- Yeah.
But I just thought we could
do some, like, prep work
and maybe talk a bit.
- It's a long way.
We won't get there 'til late.
- That's okay.
- We're leaving in half an hour.
(upbeat guitar music)
Real member of the team, eh?
In the car and all.
You'll be camping out
under the stars next.
In the swag. (laughs)
- Hey, brother!
- Hey hey!
That was old Nev there.
Well respected, very wise.
I know what you're thinking.
- No, you don't.
(upbeat rock music)
- [Dianne On Phone] So come on.
You're not telling me anything.
What are they like?
Are they nice?
- Yeah, everyone's friendly.
- Oh, very friendly.
They'd better not
get too friendly.
- Yeah?
I got girls lined
up around the block.
- Oh, you're not funny.
(laughing)
- I'm a little bit funny.
- [Dianne] In your dreams.
Babe, are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah, no, I'm fine.
I think it's going
to work out well.
I'm just a bit
frustrated, that's all.
- I know the feeling. (laughs)
- [Drew] So, what
are you wearing?
- (laughs) Jeans, ugg
boots and a singlet top.
(Drew laughs)
- You liar.
But keep talking.
- [Dianne] But it's
getting very hot in here.
(laughs)
- [Colleague] Di, we need you.
- Um, I've gotta go, sorry.
- Oh, don't.
- I'll call you later.
Love you.
- Yeah, I love you too.
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
(faint singing)
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
(upbeat country music)
- I'll go and find our guys.
You park the car, eh?
- Guddia, what ya doing there?
This is a woman's place!
Hey, hey, get out!
- Move! Move that car!
You're parked in
a woman's place!
- What you doing there?
You're in the wrong spot!
- Move it out of there!
- [Woman] Get away! Get away!
Get away! Get away!
- Hey, hey, hey, hey,
whoa, whoa, whoa!
I'll move the car!
I'll move it!
(faint speaking)
- Mr. Ellis?
- Your Honor, my
client was on the way
from the pub to his home.
It was a hot day
and he opened just one can.
- Whilst I sympathize,
unfortunately the area
is an alcohol free zone.
Stand up, please.
The fine is $100.
If I'm right, all these
charges have been laid
in the last couple of days.
Does nobody drink when
the court's not in town?
- I keep lock up and
incarceration times...
Very serious indeed.
She may yet lose an eye.
Her arm is broken
in four places.
She's suffering from--
- I would ask that
this case be--
- Bail will not be an option.
I will not allow
women to be beaten,
threatened, or intimidated.
They have a right to feel safe.
Do I make myself clear?
- Yes, sir.
- Your Honor, I have heard
from my client this morning.
Sadly, he's unable to
make it to court today.
- You've got a record, so
that's going to be tricky.
But if you give me
a good enough story,
like something I can use.
You know, like the reason
why you did what you did.
Then I think I can get you
a suspended sentence, okay?
- I don't think
that's gonna work.
- Sam.
Okay, so you want to tell
me why you went there?
Yes, my client admits
to stealing the stereo
and entering the motel
with intent to steal,
but, Your Honor, this young man
has had a rough trot lately.
You know, his younger brother
recently died by his own hand,
which left my client
and his family in shock.
There were extra bills
coming in after the funeral
and my client admits that he
went off the rails a little.
He thought that
by getting money,
he would be alleviating
the burden on his family.
Now he assures me that
this was just a blip,
and if given a
suspended sentence,
he will make sure that
he stays out of trouble.
- Your Honor, whilst I'm
not without sympathy,
I must draw counsel's and
your attention to the fact
that the defendant currently
has five months to go
on a suspended sentence
for theft and assault.
(crowd laughs)
- Is that true?
- We know that means he must
be sentenced to serve time.
- Can't I get another
suspended sentence?
- No, you can't.
I'm sorry.
- [Peter] Stand up, please.
I'm afraid my hands are tied.
I order you to serve eight
months in Broome Prison.
- [Bob] Your Honor,
is the eight months
on top of the suspended
sentence, or concurrent?
- Drew!
- I suppose I've given
you loads to write about.
- Oh, it's not that bad.
When I first came up here,
I made a dick of myself
every second day.
I mean, not that,
not that you're making
a dick of yourself.
- Do you write this eloquently?
- Hmm.
Hey.
See ya.
- See ya, Archie.
You smoke?
- Not as far as Mum knows.
Still, gotta have
some vices, eh?
You okay?
- Oh, just great.
- Come on, you
didn't really think
it was going to be
easy here, did ya?
- Well, I didn't really
expect it to be this hard.
Have no support,
no time to prepare.
Just watching all these people
being churned
through the system.
It's hopeless.
It's a sausage
factory, not a court.
- It's not always this bad.
- Isn't it?
- Sometimes it's worse.
- I just feel like I'm drowning.
- Maybe that's the
way to get match fit.
Swim a little bit
harder than you have to.
- You read that in a book?
- Netball coach.
You'll figure it out.
- [Peter] Thanks, Bob.
- [Bob] No worries, Peter.
- Oh, so Peter doesn't know?
So whatever happened to this,
"this is the Kimberley and
everybody knows everything?"
- Drew.
Come and have dinner with me.
Blakes, seven o'clock.
- Sure.
- I said to Counselor Pratt,
we've gotta get past
these stop gap measures.
So much more that can be done.
- But you do like it here?
- Oh, I love it.
I do.
The work's rewarding, trying
to keep the court progressive.
When we get to Jalwarra
tomorrow, you'll
see what I mean.
- Right.
Bella says that you
have some of the elders
sitting on the bench.
- Yeah, good men.
Not making me a whole lot
of friends in high places,
but you know.
- But you're in
for the long haul?
- Yeah.
Yeah, looks like it.
You like fishing?
Harry, one of the elders,
knows the best fishing spots.
- Well, where do
you find the time?
- Gotta give yourself
a break sometime, Drew.
Otherwise you're
no good to anyone.
- I'll bear that in mind.
- Your people need you, Drew.
You're in a unique position.
You've got the piece of paper.
If you hang in here long enough,
you can make a difference.
We could make a difference.
(sultry jazz music)
(folk guitar music)
- She's here.
Good.
Don't worry.
We'll finish early today.
Peter wants to go fishing.
Maybe he'll take you with him.
- Where is she?
- Drew, this is Debbie Pope.
- Hi, Debbie.
- How're you going?
- Debbie was charged with
smuggling approximately
two ounces of marijuana
into Broome prison.
She's got priors for assault
as well as other
drug related charges.
- How long ago?
- Two, maybe three years ago.
Debbie had a drug problem.
- Not now, I'm clean.
- I know.
- Look, Debbie, I'm going
to be honest with you.
Our chances of keeping
you out of jail,
they don't look good.
Your priors, your history.
- Please, brother.
- We're gonna do
everything we can, okay?
- Look, I need to know a
little bit more about you, Deb.
You know, why you took
the drugs into the prison
in the first place.
(soft rock music)
(dog barking)
- How many did you get?
- Six or seven big ones.
Cooked 'em up last night.
Proper lovely.
You wanna go out later?
- Yeah, this
shouldn't take long.
(watch beeping)
Mr. Ellis.
- Uh, Your Honor.
There's no doubt that
Tommy is a spirited lad,
but he assures me that he will
do everything in his powers
to stay out of trouble
and not steal again.
He's a very valuable young
man in his community.
He's gonna be very important.
He's gonna be the keeper of
much law for all his people.
- Yes, Tommy and I are old
mates, aren't we, Tommy?
So, another petty
burglary charge.
Tommy, you're getting older.
Very soon these charges
won't be petty anymore.
Then where will you be?
- I dunno.
- Come up here.
Tell me something you want more
than anything in the world.
- A CD player.
- CD player.
Well, I'll tell you what.
You stay out of trouble for
12 months, that's a full year,
and I'll bring you
back a CD player, okay?
But Tommy, you
and I have to make
a serious agreement on this.
You undertake to stay out of
trouble, that means nothing.
Not one more time back here
in this court for a full year.
Not 11 months.
Okay?
- Okay.
- But if I see you back here
in this court in that time,
not only do you not
get the CD player,
but you get into big trouble.
- Okay.
- Okay.
All right then.
Let's recess for 15 minutes.
- [Drew] Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Sam] The last thing her
kids need is her in jail, too.
- Look, I know that
this is important,
but we have to decide
which tack we take.
She's guilty, she's
got a full record,
and we're talking about
a shitload of drugs.
- Look, if I knew what the
answer was, you'd hear it.
- You just gotta try and
sell it the best you can.
- Well, maybe Peter will
take it easy on her.
He seems pretty relaxed today.
- You mean here?
- Sam, don't.
- Oh, this place completely
fits his fuckin' vision.
It's pathetic.
- What vision?
- The vision of the noble savage
and the benevolent
white man coming in
to bring truth and justice.
- He tries.
- Oh, sure he tries.
- Well, you've gotta admit,
he's pretty progressive.
What about the elders
sitting in in court?
- It's tokenism.
They don't do anything.
They get told what he's
gonna do on the day
and they go along with it.
This is their community.
Why can't they be the ones
to make the decisions?
Nah, because they don't have
whitey's piece of paper.
- Unfortunately,
that's exactly why.
- I thought the idea about
the CD player was a good one.
- Shouldn't the CD have
come from his real father
and not some fly in, fly out
white guy trying to play Santa?
Sticking his nose in
where he's not wanted.
- Ooh, where'd that come from?
- That's just Sam.
He runs hot and cold.
- Seems to be running
pretty cold on me,
and Peter for that matter.
- I think the stuff about the
CD player's a bit personal.
He's got a son in The Junction.
They're, well, let's just say
they're not getting along.
- Who's that guy?
I mean, I know he's an elder.
- Harry Pope.
- Relation?
- He's Debbie's
husband's father.
- Well, I notice she
doesn't look at him,
but he never stops
looking at her.
Why's that?
- Could be a cultural thing.
Under traditional law,
some in-laws can't
look on each other.
(soft rock music)
- [Bella] Debbie Pope?
- Stay standing.
- Ms. Pope, you are
charged with possession
of an illegal drug.
Do you understand the charges?
Are you guilty or not guilty?
- Guilty.
- I'm sorry, Debbie, you'll
have to speak up a bit.
- Guilty, Your Honor.
- All right, thank
you, Sergeant.
- Uh, Your Honor,
before we move on,
I'd like to seek permission
to bring up a point of order.
- Yes?
- I understand that the
gentleman beside you,
Harry Pope, is a member
of Debbie's family.
- Yes, that is correct.
- Well, I wonder about the
appropriateness of Harry
taking such a position in
court during this case.
- Well, I suspect it
would be rather difficult
to find anyone that is not
related to the defendant
in one way or another.
- Well, I wonder whether
it may be detrimental
to my client's case.
- Frankly, I can't
see it being anything
but beneficial to
your client's case.
Mr. Pope speaks very highly
of his daughter-in-law.
May we continue, Sergeant?
- I would like my objection
to be formally
noted, Your Honor.
- Please make a formal note
of Mr. Ellis's objection.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Sergeant.
- Undergoing a routine
security check,
the prison officers became
suspicious of a bulge
in the base of Ms.
Pope's handbag.
- Debbie.
- Upon inspection, they found
a plastic bag containing a
large amount of marijuana.
- Come on, Debbie, talk to me.
- [Bob] Later confirmed
as almost two ounces.
Ms. Pope was
questioned and signed--
- Debbie.
- [Bob] A statement
acknowledging
that she had in fact--
- Come on, Debbie, please.
- [Bob] Tried to
smuggle the drugs
into the prison for her husband.
There is a record, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis?
(tribal chanting music)
Mr. Ellis?
Mr. Ellis!
- Your Honor, essentially
Debbie Pope's actions
were the result of a shame job.
Her husband is serving a
long sentence in prison
and he thought that
he could make his stay
a lot more comfortable
and lucrative
by getting his
wife to take drugs
into the prison for him to sell.
Now Debbie has a long
history of drug problems,
but she's been clean
for over a year.
She had nothing
to gain personally
by taking the drugs to
her husband, except this.
It was a bigger deal
not to take the drugs
into the prison to him.
Despite her husband's
incarceration, Debbie was,
and still is, in genuine
fear of her husband.
Added to that, family
pressure from her in-laws
meant that she really didn't
have an option to say no.
Isn't that right, Harry?
- Mr. Ellis!
Mr. Pope is not on trial here,
nor is he a witness
in this case.
You are testing my
patience and the law.
Is that all?
- Yes, Your Honor.
- Well, the law can only
excuse your client's actions
if she's in fear of her life
or grievous bodily harm.
Now given that her
husband is in jail,
I will accept that the
threat could reasonably
have come from a third party.
Does she wish to
make an accusation?
- Debbie, this is the
only way I can help you.
Come on, Debbie.
Who's going to look after
your kids if you go to jail?
Your husband's in jail.
Debbie, please, think
of your children.
- [Peter] Does she wish to
make such an observation?
- Debbie, please, think
about your children.
- Mr. Ellis, does your
client have something to say?
She has nothing to
fear from this court.
(somber orchestral music)
Then I'm afraid
my hands are tied.
Given the severity of the
crime and Debbie's record,
a jail sentence is
warranted, almost mandatory.
- Your Honor, this woman
has two young children.
Her husband is incarcerated,
and to sentence her is
to break up a family.
- Yes, I'm well aware of that.
- And if you carry this through,
you are perpetuating
a cycle of removal
that's been going
on for generations.
- Mr. Ellis, I am insulted
that you would
draw any comparison
between the actions
of this court
and the policy of
forced removal.
They are not remotely similar.
- Well, the action may not be
the same, but the outcome is.
- Under the current law, which
I hold in the highest regard,
I have no choice.
Stand up, please, Debbie.
I have no choice but
to sentence your client
to a period of incarceration.
(kids crying)
She is therefore ordered to
serve 18 months in prison.
(kids crying loudly)
- I'm so sorry, Debbie.
- [Mia] No, Mummy.
- I love you, Mia.
It's all right.
Don't cry.
- [Peter] This
court is adjourned.
("Rocky Old Road"
by Patrick Davies)
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
- Yes, I'm back from circuit
so you or the agency can
get me on the home number
or the Broome court numbers
for the next three weeks.
Uh, have there
been any problems?
Oh, that's good.
Can you put her on?
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
- Well, can you just
tell her I called?
♪ Gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ Oft times it means
selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can take ♪
- Forgive me.
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
(phone ringing)
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ 'Cause oft times it
means selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can
take has been stolen ♪
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ 'Cause oft times it
means selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can
take has been stolen ♪
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this program
may contain images and sounds
that relate to deceased persons.
(soft rock music)
(engine revving)
(faint speaking on radio)
(yawns)
(tires screeching)
(car alarm wailing)
(coughs)
(camel grunts)
- Your Honor, my client
has a long history
of drug and alcohol abuse,
but he has indicated
that he's willing to enter
rehab on this occasion.
He also understands that
he has to clean up his act.
- Now we've got a new lawyer.
He's starting from next week.
We're gonna have
to reschedule you.
Ask you to come back, okay?
- Can I have my mud crabs back?
- I don't think so.
- Rehab for the wrong reasons.
Still, I will allow him
the benefit of the doubt.
He is to enter rehab as soon
as a bed becomes available
and is to remain there
for the duration.
If he leaves, he will go to
Broome Prison for six months.
(client retching)
Is that clear?
- Yes, Your Honor.
Shame our new
fella's missing this.
- Yeah, he's probably
gone back to Perth
with his tail between
his legs already.
("Feel Like Going Back
Home" by Ernie Dingo)
♪ I feel like going back home ♪
♪ Right now while the
mangoes are ripe ♪
♪ Frangapani's
starting to bloom ♪
♪ And the blue bone
starting to bite ♪
- Thanks, mate.
♪ Hey, mum, I can just taste
your fish soup and rice ♪
♪ I'm coming back home to you ♪
♪ Can't hack the pace
of the city life ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Lazy breeze flowing
through your mind ♪
♪ Sky blue sea, catch
a feed there anytime ♪
♪ Hey, dad, we're gonna rang
a little jonna tonight ♪
♪ Make a right and
sing with the moon ♪
♪ Can't hack the pace
of the city life ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
♪ Soon I'll be
dreaming in Broome ♪
- Hello?
Is anyone there?
(ripping)
Shit.
Hello?
(soft rock music)
- Oi.
What are you doing, mate?
- Oh, I'm just trying to
get my keys out of my car.
- How about you
just keep your hands
where I can seem
them, all right?
- Look, can I get you anything?
Coffee, tea, water?
- No, what I want you
to do is to do your job
and sort this mess out.
It hasn't been a great day.
- We've got someone working
on your story right now, okay?
- And how hard would that be?
You just have to
look at my license,
check out the
registration on the car.
Or does Broome
time affect the way
that you guys do
your job as well?
(phone ringing)
Where's your Mum?
- Okay, now you understand
that you're on bail, eh?
- Yep.
- Now, Debbie, it's
important that you turn up
to court on Wednesday,
at Jalwarra, at the Mish.
If you don't turn up,
they can put you in jail.
This is serious.
- Okay.
- And you call me if you need me
to explain things again, right?
- All right.
Come on, slow coach.
(soft rock music)
- Sam?
This guy reckons
he's one of yours.
- Drew Ellis.
I'm the new ALS lawyer.
- Sam Wallan.
You didn't have to come
all the way down here
to meet me, mate.
You know you gotta work with
those guys while you're here.
Some of 'em are bastards,
but most are okay.
You want to keep them
on your good side.
- If that's how they
treat someone like me,
I can imagine how
some poor bastard
without a clue gets treated.
Must drive you mad.
- You get used to 'em.
- Go slow now, we've
got a gig to play.
- Hey, you worry too much, cuz.
- [Bella] I suppose I can't
ask you to control him.
- Have you met me?
- So what do we know about him?
- Not much.
I've talked to him on the phone.
He seems all right.
- Black fella?
- Yeah, Peter was pleased.
- Coconut.
- Why does every
black fella with a job
count as a coconut to you?
- Because they are.
He's a lawyer, of
course he's a coconut.
- So what now?
Am I a coconut too then?
- Yep.
Hey!
- Awww.
- Well, I hope he
knows what he's doing,
'cause God knows we
need a body up here.
- Where's he from?
- Perth.
- How old is he?
- Why, are you trawling?
- Just interested.
He could be washed up and
at the end of his career,
hence Broome.
- Hey!
- Or, or climbing the ladder
and heading off to a
cushy Canberra job, hey?
Hence Broome.
- You should do a story on him.
Probably get some
interesting stuff.
- Yeah, I might.
If he's cute.
Joke, Joyce.
- Well, I see he's on
Broome time already.
- [Truck Driver] Yeah,
not your day, eh?
- Nah.
- Sam.
- Mate.
Is that yours?
- Yeah.
- No wonder they
thought you'd nicked it.
(laughing)
(rock music)
♪ I wanna run where the
desert meets the sea ♪
♪ Follow the sun, yeah,
I hear it calling me ♪
♪ Flying away into a
place I need to be ♪
- Hide me.
You're funny.
♪ I wanna run where the
desert meets the sea ♪
♪ Follow the sun, yeah,
I hear it calling me ♪
♪ Flying away into a
place I need to be ♪
♪ Follow the sun ♪
- Drew?
This is Peter Lockhart.
He's our Magistrate.
- Hey, Peter.
- Hi, Drew.
Very pleased to
have you on board.
Settled in okay?
- Fine.
- Sorry about the mix
up with the flat, mate.
We tried to get some
furniture to tide you over,
but they got the dates wrong.
- That's fine.
- Your wife not with you?
- Uh, no, couldn't get away.
A big case.
She's probably coming up soon.
Well, I'm hoping
she comes up soon.
- Oh, she's a solicitor?
- Yep.
Oh, bring her up.
We could use another lawyer.
- You've met Sam.
This is Ellie
Szabiska, Legal Aid.
- Hey, Ellie.
- You're a sight for sore eyes.
We haven't had anyone
from ALS for months.
We're all pretty buggered.
- What do you think
of the singer?
- Oh yeah, pretty good.
- That's a good answer.
That's Bella.
She's our Clerk of the Courts.
This is Bob Temple,
our Police Prosecutor.
- Gidday, Drew.
- Gidday, Bob.
- Um, this one's on me.
What's your poison?
- Scotch on the rocks, thanks.
- I'll give you a hand.
♪ Follow the sun ♪
♪ Follow the sun ♪
(audience applauds and cheers)
- You must be our
missing lawyer.
I'm Bella.
- Drew Ellis.
- Clarry, white
sheep of the family.
- Drew.
- (laughs) Clarry's my cousin.
So, sounds like you
had the day from hell.
- You can say that again.
- Still, not many lawyers
can say they've been arrested
the second they've
stepped foot in town.
- I don't suppose we can
keep that to ourselves?
(laughs)
- Sorry, this is Broome.
Everyone knows everything.
♪ Ain't like it used to be ♪
♪ Ain't like it used to be ♪
(audience applauds and cheers)
- All right, calm down, you mob.
Um, we're here tonight to
welcome the newest member
of the Aboriginal Legal
Service, Drew Ellis.
We'd just like to say welcome,
and we're glad you came.
So, uh, speech.
(audience applauds and cheers)
- 20 bucks says he's here
to give something back.
- 10.
- You're on.
- Uh, thanks.
Thanks, Bella.
It's been an interesting
day to say the least,
but I'm very glad
to be here finally.
I hope over the next few
months I can make a difference.
That's why I'm here.
I've spent a long time living
a fairly privileged life,
different to someone
like my father.
Even though I never
knew him well,
I do know that he
suffered enormously
as one of those that was
taken, stolen from his people.
And I figured since
I've been lucky,
it's about time to
give something back.
Thank you for your
welcome to Broome.
(audience applauds and cheers)
- Hey, I'm Archie.
- Ah, Clarry's, um.
- Clarry's um?
No, that's me.
Welcome to Broome.
- Thanks.
So, how do you
fit into all this?
- I'm a journo with
the local paper.
And I string for some
of the bigger ones, too.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah, you'll see a bit
of me on the circuit.
I don't go out all the time,
but if something's
brewing, you know,
I'll put in an appearance.
- Oh, great.
Well, I hope we can give you
something good to write about.
- Yeah.
I hope so, too.
- Nice to meet ya, Archie.
- See ya.
(glasses clanking)
- You're painting
a pretty picture.
- Someone's got to.
Look, a lot of your
clients you like.
If you earn their trust,
there's no reason why
they won't like you,
but you are going
to get frustrated,
and depressed at the
relentlessness of
this whole situation.
- Ellie, look, I
should actually go.
- No!
You shouldn't.
We need you.
No, you've got to
understand some stuff.
Most of all, don't buy into
this noble savage crap.
And don't for a second believe
that everyone
you're dealing with
is hard done by
and misunderstood.
They're not all
pussycats, you know.
There are some vicious
bastards out there.
- Well, if it's that bad,
why are you still here?
- I love it.
I love it.
And I am accepted
by people who don't
have to accept me.
I'm just not going to
sugarcoat it, that's all.
There's no way you can help if
you shy away from the truth.
- You're not badgering
the poor fellow
before we even get him
into court, are you?
- Here endeth the lesson.
Sorry.
- No, no, no, thanks, really.
- No, no, no, no,
I'd better be going.
See you Monday.
(kissing)
- See you Monday.
- I'm off, too.
Listen, on Monday, why don't
you come with me on the plane?
First court and all.
Bit more comfortable.
- Yeah, no, that'd
be great, yeah.
- That'll give you a bit
more room too, eh, Sam?
- Yeah.
So where's your father from?
Is he still around?
- Oh, he died when I was young.
Now, listen, I
just wanted to say
thanks for all the help earlier.
I appreciate it.
I realize I've got
a lot to learn.
- No problem.
You come up here to get your
degree in Aboriginality, eh?
I'm only too happy to help ya.
- [Bartender] Last drinks
at the bar, thanks, folks.
Last drinks, thank you.
(bird cawing)
(plane engine buzzing)
(soft rock music)
- Have you ever wondered
how the Aboriginal painters
knew what the ground
looked like from the air?
They say it's because
they walked the land.
You okay?
Don't worry, these things
are as safe as houses.
Isn't that right, Nick?
- Houses don't fly.
- Sorry?
- Just in case.
(kids yelling)
- Come on, get up!
Hey, get up, you lazy bastards.
We've got a long
drive ahead of us.
Come on!
- [Woman] Cup of tea?
- Hey, if you're not
up in 10 seconds,
I'm gonna tell that
judge to lock you up
and throw away the key.
- You wouldn't do
that to me, bro.
- [Sam] Don't tempt me.
- [Woman] Hey, don't
forget my shopping now, eh?
- Okay.
- See ya.
(upbeat rock music)
- Take care.
Keep out of trouble, eh?
Ha, ha.
Welcome, Drew.
Come on through, mate.
I'll show you around the place.
That's your spot there.
There's nowhere really
to brief the clients
so you talk to them
outside or in the gallery.
Loos are outside.
Are we on?
- Got a couple of minutes.
- Okay, he must
be in a good mood.
- Why's that?
- Well, if he's in a bad
mood, we start bang on time.
If he's in a good mood,
we start a bit late.
This is your lot for the day.
- You're joking.
- No.
- These are all
being heard today?
- Yep, nice quiet one today.
We should be out on time.
- When do I get a chance
to brief my clients?
- [Ellie] Right now.
- I'd get a move on, though.
- I need to get a clear
understanding of the cases
and I need to be
briefed by my clients.
- Well, that's the
way it is, mate.
You'd just better
get used to it.
- Grab a list from
the Constable.
See what the order looks like.
And try to find your client,
and do a quick run
through the file,
(Drew sighs) and pray.
- Thanks.
- Hey, how was flying in?
- It was fine.
It was fine.
- You nervous?
- Listen, man, I've got
to find my first client.
Sorry.
Alfred Jones?
- Outside there, mate.
- Thank you.
(knocking)
- All stand.
The Junction Court of petty
sessions is now in order.
Magistrate Peter
Lockhart presiding.
Joseph Stillwater.
- Joseph Stillwater.
Is that your name?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Do you
understand the charges?
- [Joseph] Yes.
- [Peter] How do you plead?
- Guilty.
- Well, you tell
him, if you see him,
he's in big trouble not
turning up in court today.
- I'd like to ask that this
matter be remanded over
so that my client can
seek legal advice.
- Remanded to?
- August 10th.
- August 10.
- [Ellie] Thank you, Your Honor.
The question of bail?
- Archie Reynolds?
I'm Drew Ellis.
I'll be representing you today.
How are you?
- Bail application is denied.
I'm giving you a $600 fine
and a 12-month
suspended sentence.
That means if you do anything
wrong, you go to jail.
Okay?
- Your Honor, may I request
for the fine to be converted?
- Fine is converted to a
work in development order.
- [Court Clerk] Russell Roberts?
- Hello, Russell, I'm Drew
How are you?
I'm representing
you, Drew Ellis.
- Your Honor, it is alleged
that at approximately 12:20
on June the 12th, Mr. Roberts
came upon a branded steer
belonging to the Neilsen Station
somewhere in the vicinity
of Five Mile Creek.
It is further alleged that Mr.
Roberts slaughtered the steer
and then took the carcass
back with him to his community
where the steer was
consumed by friends
and family of the defendant.
The defendant was interviewed
and made a statement
regarding the matter,
agreeing that he did in
fact kill and eat the cow.
Steer.
- Um, apologies, Your Honor,
I'm unfamiliar with
the case at hand
and I beg a little lenience.
You took the cow?
(faint speaking)
Why, because you were hungry?
Is that why you took the cow?
Your Honor, my client
is an unemployed man
who defends his actions by
saying that he was hungry.
(crowd laughs)
He's very much a harmless man
who's been a victim of
his own circumstances.
After all, it is a man's role
to bring food into the home.
For many years, he's played
the role of the hunter.
(crowd laughs)
And one can't simply judge him
because he fulfilled that role.
Now given that the crime
itself is relatively minor,
I would ask the court
for a little leniency.
- Mr. Ellis, I can assure you
that in the Kimberley, cattle
duffing is not taken lightly.
It is not, as you put
it, a minor crime.
But I daresay your client,
hunter or not, is well aware
that branded cattle
belong to the stations.
They are not for killing.
(soft rock music)
- Yes, Your Honor.
- Is there anything
else you wish to say?
- No, Your Honor.
- I fine you $300
and you'll be ordered
to pay $600 restitution
to Neilsen Station.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Mr. Ellis, I am willing
to convert the fine
to a work in development order,
if that suits your
client better.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Court Clerk] Milly Edwards?
- The manager says that you left
and then you returned
about five minutes later.
Is that right?
- You think that's actually
better than stealing?
- Yeah, I didn't take nothing.
I was just waiting for the cops.
- And then you went behind the
bar, into a restricted area,
and stole a bottle of Bailey's?
Is there anything
I need to know?
You know, extenuating
circumstances.
Why you stole the bottle.
Well, it was nice
talking to you.
- [Court Clerk] Robert Sims?
- Your Honor, on the
11th of this month,
police officers had
cause to caution Mr. Sims
for the matter of abusive
language on Carnarvon Street,
The Junction, at
approximately 9:15 PM.
- I know it seems like an
open and shut case to you.
- He's been
disqualified more times
than I've had hot dinners.
- There's more to it than that.
- Like?
- The purpose of
smoking cannabis.
Mr. Sims cooperated with police.
No drugs were found on Mr. Sims,
but the bowl and the smoking
implement belonged to him.
- Look at that
file, no drinking.
- What, none?
- [Sam] Not much.
- [Ellie] But it is out
of character for him.
- Go through it.
- Stand up, please.
Three month suspended
sentence, $150 fine.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Court Clerk] Reg Sullivan?
- [Drew] Take a seat, please.
- Your Honor, this
is the ninth time
Mr. Sullivan has been
arrested on such a charge,
all uncontested.
He has had six such charges
in the last 11 months.
Clearly this man doesn't heed
the cautions of the court.
He's obviously
determined to drive
regardless of his
disqualified status.
I'm afraid, Your Honor,
that such behavior means
that Mr. Sullivan should be
headed for a jail sentence.
- [Peter] Thank you.
You say he was
not legally drunk?
- No, Your Honor, but he was
not legally able to drive.
- Mr. Ellis?
- Your Honor, my
client, Mr. Sullivan,
has had many medical
problems as a result
of an accident 15 years ago in
the course of his employment
at the Jacaranda Station.
He has received no help
with ongoing medical fees
or with transport to
the district hospital.
He lives on a very
remote community
and he has difficulty walking,
and there's no public
transport to or from the area.
The closest grocery store
is 150 kilometers away.
Now, if we were anywhere else,
and this man was
any other color,
he would have better opportunity
to get to medical care
and to carry out
his daily routine.
Now with respect, Your Honor,
Mr. Sullivan needs to drive
in order to get around
to be able to live
his life with dignity.
- Mr. Sullivan.
Your lawyer has argued
well on your behalf.
I understand the distances you
have to negotiate are vast,
but you must understand
that if you keep coming
before me in this court,
I will have no choice
but to send you to jail.
Do you understand that?
- Yes.
- You must not drive
a motor vehicle.
Do you understand?
- Yes.
- Please don't make
me send you to prison.
- Yes, Your Honor.
- I fine you $250,
converted to a work
and development order,
and suspend your
license for six months.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Thank you.
(soft rock music)
- Hi.
- I'll be seeing you.
- Everything okay?
- Yeah.
- Sam, is everything all right?
- Yep.
- Okay, listen, I
just wanted to know
if I could get a lift
with you to Newtown.
- Aren't you supposed to
be going on that plane?
- Yeah.
But I just thought we could
do some, like, prep work
and maybe talk a bit.
- It's a long way.
We won't get there 'til late.
- That's okay.
- We're leaving in half an hour.
(upbeat guitar music)
Real member of the team, eh?
In the car and all.
You'll be camping out
under the stars next.
In the swag. (laughs)
- Hey, brother!
- Hey hey!
That was old Nev there.
Well respected, very wise.
I know what you're thinking.
- No, you don't.
(upbeat rock music)
- [Dianne On Phone] So come on.
You're not telling me anything.
What are they like?
Are they nice?
- Yeah, everyone's friendly.
- Oh, very friendly.
They'd better not
get too friendly.
- Yeah?
I got girls lined
up around the block.
- Oh, you're not funny.
(laughing)
- I'm a little bit funny.
- [Dianne] In your dreams.
Babe, are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah, no, I'm fine.
I think it's going
to work out well.
I'm just a bit
frustrated, that's all.
- I know the feeling. (laughs)
- [Drew] So, what
are you wearing?
- (laughs) Jeans, ugg
boots and a singlet top.
(Drew laughs)
- You liar.
But keep talking.
- [Dianne] But it's
getting very hot in here.
(laughs)
- [Colleague] Di, we need you.
- Um, I've gotta go, sorry.
- Oh, don't.
- I'll call you later.
Love you.
- Yeah, I love you too.
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
(faint singing)
♪ 'Bout these dreams I have ♪
(upbeat country music)
- I'll go and find our guys.
You park the car, eh?
- Guddia, what ya doing there?
This is a woman's place!
Hey, hey, get out!
- Move! Move that car!
You're parked in
a woman's place!
- What you doing there?
You're in the wrong spot!
- Move it out of there!
- [Woman] Get away! Get away!
Get away! Get away!
- Hey, hey, hey, hey,
whoa, whoa, whoa!
I'll move the car!
I'll move it!
(faint speaking)
- Mr. Ellis?
- Your Honor, my
client was on the way
from the pub to his home.
It was a hot day
and he opened just one can.
- Whilst I sympathize,
unfortunately the area
is an alcohol free zone.
Stand up, please.
The fine is $100.
If I'm right, all these
charges have been laid
in the last couple of days.
Does nobody drink when
the court's not in town?
- I keep lock up and
incarceration times...
Very serious indeed.
She may yet lose an eye.
Her arm is broken
in four places.
She's suffering from--
- I would ask that
this case be--
- Bail will not be an option.
I will not allow
women to be beaten,
threatened, or intimidated.
They have a right to feel safe.
Do I make myself clear?
- Yes, sir.
- Your Honor, I have heard
from my client this morning.
Sadly, he's unable to
make it to court today.
- You've got a record, so
that's going to be tricky.
But if you give me
a good enough story,
like something I can use.
You know, like the reason
why you did what you did.
Then I think I can get you
a suspended sentence, okay?
- I don't think
that's gonna work.
- Sam.
Okay, so you want to tell
me why you went there?
Yes, my client admits
to stealing the stereo
and entering the motel
with intent to steal,
but, Your Honor, this young man
has had a rough trot lately.
You know, his younger brother
recently died by his own hand,
which left my client
and his family in shock.
There were extra bills
coming in after the funeral
and my client admits that he
went off the rails a little.
He thought that
by getting money,
he would be alleviating
the burden on his family.
Now he assures me that
this was just a blip,
and if given a
suspended sentence,
he will make sure that
he stays out of trouble.
- Your Honor, whilst I'm
not without sympathy,
I must draw counsel's and
your attention to the fact
that the defendant currently
has five months to go
on a suspended sentence
for theft and assault.
(crowd laughs)
- Is that true?
- We know that means he must
be sentenced to serve time.
- Can't I get another
suspended sentence?
- No, you can't.
I'm sorry.
- [Peter] Stand up, please.
I'm afraid my hands are tied.
I order you to serve eight
months in Broome Prison.
- [Bob] Your Honor,
is the eight months
on top of the suspended
sentence, or concurrent?
- Drew!
- I suppose I've given
you loads to write about.
- Oh, it's not that bad.
When I first came up here,
I made a dick of myself
every second day.
I mean, not that,
not that you're making
a dick of yourself.
- Do you write this eloquently?
- Hmm.
Hey.
See ya.
- See ya, Archie.
You smoke?
- Not as far as Mum knows.
Still, gotta have
some vices, eh?
You okay?
- Oh, just great.
- Come on, you
didn't really think
it was going to be
easy here, did ya?
- Well, I didn't really
expect it to be this hard.
Have no support,
no time to prepare.
Just watching all these people
being churned
through the system.
It's hopeless.
It's a sausage
factory, not a court.
- It's not always this bad.
- Isn't it?
- Sometimes it's worse.
- I just feel like I'm drowning.
- Maybe that's the
way to get match fit.
Swim a little bit
harder than you have to.
- You read that in a book?
- Netball coach.
You'll figure it out.
- [Peter] Thanks, Bob.
- [Bob] No worries, Peter.
- Oh, so Peter doesn't know?
So whatever happened to this,
"this is the Kimberley and
everybody knows everything?"
- Drew.
Come and have dinner with me.
Blakes, seven o'clock.
- Sure.
- I said to Counselor Pratt,
we've gotta get past
these stop gap measures.
So much more that can be done.
- But you do like it here?
- Oh, I love it.
I do.
The work's rewarding, trying
to keep the court progressive.
When we get to Jalwarra
tomorrow, you'll
see what I mean.
- Right.
Bella says that you
have some of the elders
sitting on the bench.
- Yeah, good men.
Not making me a whole lot
of friends in high places,
but you know.
- But you're in
for the long haul?
- Yeah.
Yeah, looks like it.
You like fishing?
Harry, one of the elders,
knows the best fishing spots.
- Well, where do
you find the time?
- Gotta give yourself
a break sometime, Drew.
Otherwise you're
no good to anyone.
- I'll bear that in mind.
- Your people need you, Drew.
You're in a unique position.
You've got the piece of paper.
If you hang in here long enough,
you can make a difference.
We could make a difference.
(sultry jazz music)
(folk guitar music)
- She's here.
Good.
Don't worry.
We'll finish early today.
Peter wants to go fishing.
Maybe he'll take you with him.
- Where is she?
- Drew, this is Debbie Pope.
- Hi, Debbie.
- How're you going?
- Debbie was charged with
smuggling approximately
two ounces of marijuana
into Broome prison.
She's got priors for assault
as well as other
drug related charges.
- How long ago?
- Two, maybe three years ago.
Debbie had a drug problem.
- Not now, I'm clean.
- I know.
- Look, Debbie, I'm going
to be honest with you.
Our chances of keeping
you out of jail,
they don't look good.
Your priors, your history.
- Please, brother.
- We're gonna do
everything we can, okay?
- Look, I need to know a
little bit more about you, Deb.
You know, why you took
the drugs into the prison
in the first place.
(soft rock music)
(dog barking)
- How many did you get?
- Six or seven big ones.
Cooked 'em up last night.
Proper lovely.
You wanna go out later?
- Yeah, this
shouldn't take long.
(watch beeping)
Mr. Ellis.
- Uh, Your Honor.
There's no doubt that
Tommy is a spirited lad,
but he assures me that he will
do everything in his powers
to stay out of trouble
and not steal again.
He's a very valuable young
man in his community.
He's gonna be very important.
He's gonna be the keeper of
much law for all his people.
- Yes, Tommy and I are old
mates, aren't we, Tommy?
So, another petty
burglary charge.
Tommy, you're getting older.
Very soon these charges
won't be petty anymore.
Then where will you be?
- I dunno.
- Come up here.
Tell me something you want more
than anything in the world.
- A CD player.
- CD player.
Well, I'll tell you what.
You stay out of trouble for
12 months, that's a full year,
and I'll bring you
back a CD player, okay?
But Tommy, you
and I have to make
a serious agreement on this.
You undertake to stay out of
trouble, that means nothing.
Not one more time back here
in this court for a full year.
Not 11 months.
Okay?
- Okay.
- But if I see you back here
in this court in that time,
not only do you not
get the CD player,
but you get into big trouble.
- Okay.
- Okay.
All right then.
Let's recess for 15 minutes.
- [Drew] Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Sam] The last thing her
kids need is her in jail, too.
- Look, I know that
this is important,
but we have to decide
which tack we take.
She's guilty, she's
got a full record,
and we're talking about
a shitload of drugs.
- Look, if I knew what the
answer was, you'd hear it.
- You just gotta try and
sell it the best you can.
- Well, maybe Peter will
take it easy on her.
He seems pretty relaxed today.
- You mean here?
- Sam, don't.
- Oh, this place completely
fits his fuckin' vision.
It's pathetic.
- What vision?
- The vision of the noble savage
and the benevolent
white man coming in
to bring truth and justice.
- He tries.
- Oh, sure he tries.
- Well, you've gotta admit,
he's pretty progressive.
What about the elders
sitting in in court?
- It's tokenism.
They don't do anything.
They get told what he's
gonna do on the day
and they go along with it.
This is their community.
Why can't they be the ones
to make the decisions?
Nah, because they don't have
whitey's piece of paper.
- Unfortunately,
that's exactly why.
- I thought the idea about
the CD player was a good one.
- Shouldn't the CD have
come from his real father
and not some fly in, fly out
white guy trying to play Santa?
Sticking his nose in
where he's not wanted.
- Ooh, where'd that come from?
- That's just Sam.
He runs hot and cold.
- Seems to be running
pretty cold on me,
and Peter for that matter.
- I think the stuff about the
CD player's a bit personal.
He's got a son in The Junction.
They're, well, let's just say
they're not getting along.
- Who's that guy?
I mean, I know he's an elder.
- Harry Pope.
- Relation?
- He's Debbie's
husband's father.
- Well, I notice she
doesn't look at him,
but he never stops
looking at her.
Why's that?
- Could be a cultural thing.
Under traditional law,
some in-laws can't
look on each other.
(soft rock music)
- [Bella] Debbie Pope?
- Stay standing.
- Ms. Pope, you are
charged with possession
of an illegal drug.
Do you understand the charges?
Are you guilty or not guilty?
- Guilty.
- I'm sorry, Debbie, you'll
have to speak up a bit.
- Guilty, Your Honor.
- All right, thank
you, Sergeant.
- Uh, Your Honor,
before we move on,
I'd like to seek permission
to bring up a point of order.
- Yes?
- I understand that the
gentleman beside you,
Harry Pope, is a member
of Debbie's family.
- Yes, that is correct.
- Well, I wonder about the
appropriateness of Harry
taking such a position in
court during this case.
- Well, I suspect it
would be rather difficult
to find anyone that is not
related to the defendant
in one way or another.
- Well, I wonder whether
it may be detrimental
to my client's case.
- Frankly, I can't
see it being anything
but beneficial to
your client's case.
Mr. Pope speaks very highly
of his daughter-in-law.
May we continue, Sergeant?
- I would like my objection
to be formally
noted, Your Honor.
- Please make a formal note
of Mr. Ellis's objection.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Sergeant.
- Undergoing a routine
security check,
the prison officers became
suspicious of a bulge
in the base of Ms.
Pope's handbag.
- Debbie.
- Upon inspection, they found
a plastic bag containing a
large amount of marijuana.
- Come on, Debbie, talk to me.
- [Bob] Later confirmed
as almost two ounces.
Ms. Pope was
questioned and signed--
- Debbie.
- [Bob] A statement
acknowledging
that she had in fact--
- Come on, Debbie, please.
- [Bob] Tried to
smuggle the drugs
into the prison for her husband.
There is a record, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis?
(tribal chanting music)
Mr. Ellis?
Mr. Ellis!
- Your Honor, essentially
Debbie Pope's actions
were the result of a shame job.
Her husband is serving a
long sentence in prison
and he thought that
he could make his stay
a lot more comfortable
and lucrative
by getting his
wife to take drugs
into the prison for him to sell.
Now Debbie has a long
history of drug problems,
but she's been clean
for over a year.
She had nothing
to gain personally
by taking the drugs to
her husband, except this.
It was a bigger deal
not to take the drugs
into the prison to him.
Despite her husband's
incarceration, Debbie was,
and still is, in genuine
fear of her husband.
Added to that, family
pressure from her in-laws
meant that she really didn't
have an option to say no.
Isn't that right, Harry?
- Mr. Ellis!
Mr. Pope is not on trial here,
nor is he a witness
in this case.
You are testing my
patience and the law.
Is that all?
- Yes, Your Honor.
- Well, the law can only
excuse your client's actions
if she's in fear of her life
or grievous bodily harm.
Now given that her
husband is in jail,
I will accept that the
threat could reasonably
have come from a third party.
Does she wish to
make an accusation?
- Debbie, this is the
only way I can help you.
Come on, Debbie.
Who's going to look after
your kids if you go to jail?
Your husband's in jail.
Debbie, please, think
of your children.
- [Peter] Does she wish to
make such an observation?
- Debbie, please, think
about your children.
- Mr. Ellis, does your
client have something to say?
She has nothing to
fear from this court.
(somber orchestral music)
Then I'm afraid
my hands are tied.
Given the severity of the
crime and Debbie's record,
a jail sentence is
warranted, almost mandatory.
- Your Honor, this woman
has two young children.
Her husband is incarcerated,
and to sentence her is
to break up a family.
- Yes, I'm well aware of that.
- And if you carry this through,
you are perpetuating
a cycle of removal
that's been going
on for generations.
- Mr. Ellis, I am insulted
that you would
draw any comparison
between the actions
of this court
and the policy of
forced removal.
They are not remotely similar.
- Well, the action may not be
the same, but the outcome is.
- Under the current law, which
I hold in the highest regard,
I have no choice.
Stand up, please, Debbie.
I have no choice but
to sentence your client
to a period of incarceration.
(kids crying)
She is therefore ordered to
serve 18 months in prison.
(kids crying loudly)
- I'm so sorry, Debbie.
- [Mia] No, Mummy.
- I love you, Mia.
It's all right.
Don't cry.
- [Peter] This
court is adjourned.
("Rocky Old Road"
by Patrick Davies)
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
- Yes, I'm back from circuit
so you or the agency can
get me on the home number
or the Broome court numbers
for the next three weeks.
Uh, have there
been any problems?
Oh, that's good.
Can you put her on?
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
- Well, can you just
tell her I called?
♪ Gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ Oft times it means
selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can take ♪
- Forgive me.
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
(phone ringing)
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ 'Cause oft times it
means selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can
take has been stolen ♪
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ All the tricks that
I've tried are not new ♪
♪ They're just wrapped up
in gift wrapping paper ♪
♪ And handed as favors to you ♪
♪ No, you can't take
all that you're given ♪
♪ 'Cause oft times it
means selling your soul ♪
♪ And when all they can
take has been stolen ♪
♪ You find you're the
last one to know ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪
♪ It's a rocky old
road that we travel ♪