Canadian Lawyer

28 J U N E 2 0 1 6 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m with the legal backdrop to pull social support services from the community into court to provide the help needed by the offender in dealing with the issues that lead to police engagement. They include the Drug Treatment Court in Vancouver, one of the busiest programs in the city, which started in 2001. It provides an alternative to the regular criminal court process for individuals with drug offences or individuals with minor criminal offences arising from addiction programs. Vancouver's Downtown Com- munity Court, opened in 2008, uses multiple agencies to address the root causes of crime, including mental illnesses, addiction, and poverty. The Cowichan Valley Domestic Court, on Vancouver Island, opened in 2009 and became the first dedicated system to address domestic violence. Opened during Crabtree's term, the five-year-old Victoria Inte- grated Court grew out of a community initiative to address street crime as a small number of homeless individuals with mental health and substance problems were responsible for many of the police encounters and court appearances. Like other problem-solv- ing courts, it is not a sentencing court but provides an integrated approach using police, health (mental and physical) professionals, social workers, and community corrections personnel to provide a solution. It also has business community support with businesses stepping in to provide materials (such as bedding) when needed, or homeless individuals going into a new place. B.C. also has four First Nations courts. First Nations people in the judicial system and the harm perpetuated by residential schools is a topic to which Crabtree is attuned. He is married to a First Nations woman, a master native basket weaver, with family throughout B.C. He sees the need for more alternative solutions in the justice system that better serve the indigenous community. "We believe it has become an important issue today," he says, especially in light of the discussions that have been sparked by the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report. And, as his term nears completion, it is an area where he would like to provide more answers. B.C. opened its First Nations court in 2006, a sentencing court for individuals who plead guilty and seek a restorative justice approach that utilizes not just the traditional justice system but to repair the damage to the victims, heal the offender, restore harmo- ny to the community, and reduce recidivism. Since Crabtree took office, three additional First Nations courts have been established in North Vancouver (2012), Kamloops (2013), and Duncan (2013). In three of the courts, a group of elders serve as advisers and coun- cillors. "They are also there to hold that person accountable," says Crabtree, as they are able to engage the person "in a real way with the indigenous community." Crabtree says he is exploring providing three further First Nations courts in Prince George, Merritt, and Williams Lake. "We are supporting these courts on the basis that we believe they have a positive effect on individuals' lives and putting into play a pro- cess that recognizes restorative practices and restorative principles and that is familiar with the First Nations community," he says. A number of studies are underway to collect information on their effectiveness, but feedback from those involved indicate they are C R O S S E X A M I N E D REACH ONE OF THE LARGEST LEGAL AND BUSINESS MARKETS IN CANADA! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PRINT With more than 300,500 page views and 100,000 unique visitors monthly canadianlawlist.com captures your market. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Colleen Austin: T: 416.649.9327 E: colleen.austin@thomsonreuters.com www.canadianlawlist.com Untitled-1 1 2016-05-20 10:50 AM

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