Criminal Law Problems

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Here are the first steps and some useful resources for people in BC facing problems with the criminal justice system such as:


A number of "problem-solving courts" have emerged over the past few years that deal with people who are prepared to plead guilty or take responsibility for criminal offences. Two of them - the Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver and the Downtown Community Court - only take cases from the Vancouver area, but the New Westminster First Nations Court will take some aboriginal offender cases waived from elsewhere in the province. Sentencing at the First Nations Court consists of a roundtable discussion among the judge, lawyers, helping professionals, offender, victim and supportive family and community members about an appropriate sentence or "healing plan". Related family legal matters and youth court matters can be dealt with at the same time. Contact Native Courtworkers (see the Resource List), Crown Counsel or a lawyer for information about accessing the New Westminster First Nations Court.