Kelowna Integrated Court

Kelowna Integrated Court

Kelowna Integrated Court (KIC) was established in 2021 to deal with offenders (called "clients") who are struggling with substance abuse issues, living with mental health issues including brain injuries, and/or experiencing homelessness and engaging in criminal behaviour.

Scheduling and location

Kelowna Integrated Court schedule

Goals

  • Improving access to health, social, and economic services for the offenders it deals with 

  • Improving public safety by helping offenders avoid criminal behaviour in the future 

  • Holding offenders accountable for their actions in a timely manner

Approach

KIC takes an integrated approach to responding to a person’s criminal behaviour when they are willing to accept responsibility for their offence. Individuals get help to address the underlying or root causes of their offending behaviour. 

KIC is not a trial court. It conducts bail and sentencing hearings with follow-up support and enforcement for people who wish to plead guilty to criminal charges. Agencies with knowledge of a client meet with Crown counsel<p>Independent lawyers with the federal or provincial prosecution service. Crown counsel do not represent the government, police or victim of crime. Rather, they perform their function on behalf of the public. Crown counsel may also be referred to as Crown, Crown prosecutors or prosecutors.</p>, the defence lawyer and a probation officer before court to share information about the client’s needs and the resources available to address them. Crown counsel<p>Independent lawyers with the federal or provincial prosecution service. Crown counsel do not represent the government, police or victim of crime. Rather, they perform their function on behalf of the public. Crown counsel may also be referred to as Crown, Crown prosecutors or prosecutors.</p> and the defence lawyer present this information to the judge at a sentencing hearing to help the judge impose an appropriate sentence. Sentences imposed often include: 

  • Support and supervision in the community 

  • Requirements to engage with community services 

  • Requirements to attend court for progress hearings where a probation officer reports the client’s progress to the judge, who can change the sentence order to reflect the client's progress or additional needs 

Jail sentences are also possible. 

Whenever possible, the same judge, Crown counsel<p>Independent lawyers with the federal or provincial prosecution service. Crown counsel do not represent the government, police or victim of crime. Rather, they perform their function on behalf of the public. Crown counsel may also be referred to as Crown, Crown prosecutors or prosecutors.</p>, probation officer and care agency staff work in KIC to provide consistency and follow-up. 

Community partners and support 

A variety of government and community organizations provide support and supervision for clients bound by KIC’s bail or sentencing orders to help them lead healthier, more stable lives. 

The services integrated with KIC: 

  • Support sentenced offenders to make rehabilitation more likely 

  • Closely monitor offenders’ compliance with community supervision orders 

  • Ensure community supervision orders continue to address an offender’s circumstances as they change 

Eligibility

Talk to your lawyer or duty counsel about whether you qualify for Kelowna Integrated Court. They can speak to Crown counsel<p>Independent lawyers with the federal or provincial prosecution service. Crown counsel do not represent the government, police or victim of crime. Rather, they perform their function on behalf of the public. Crown counsel may also be referred to as Crown, Crown prosecutors or prosecutors.</p> for you. Crown counsel<p>Independent lawyers with the federal or provincial prosecution service. Crown counsel do not represent the government, police or victim of crime. Rather, they perform their function on behalf of the public. Crown counsel may also be referred to as Crown, Crown prosecutors or prosecutors.</p> must agree to your participation in KIC. Some eligibility requirements are that an offender must: 

  • Wish to plead guilty 

  • Be connected to an agency working with KIC or qualify to be connected  

Related resources

 

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https://provincialcourt.bc.ca/navigating-court-case/criminal-adult-and-youth/indigenous-sentencing-and-specialized-criminal-courts/kelowna-integrated-court