Victoria Integrated Court
Victoria Integrated Court (VIC) was established in 2010 as part of an integrated approach recommended by a task force to address street crime in Victoria.
Goals
- Improve access to health, social, and economic services for these repeat offenders
- Improve public safety
- Hold offenders accountable for their actions in a timely manner
Approach
VIC deals primarily with offenders (called "clients") who are struggling with substance abuse disorder, have cognitive impairments or mental health difficulties and/or are experiencing homelessness resulting in them committing crimes. This court takes an integrated approach to a person’s criminal behaviour when they accept responsibility for their offence. Individuals get help to address the underlying or root causes of their offending behaviour.
VIC is not a trial court. It conducts bail<p><span lang="EN-US">An order made by a judicial justice or a judge releasing an accused person from jail until their trial and requiring them to obey certain conditions (rules) and return to court on a specific date. The legal term for bail is “judicial interim release”.</span><span> </span></p> and sentencing hearings with follow-up support and enforcement for people who plead guilty<p><span lang="EN-US">When a person admits (pleads guilty) or is found by the judge or judicial justice (found guilty) to have committed the crimes they are charged with.</span><span> </span></p> to criminal offences. They are supported by an integrated team delivering emergency and health services. When a client pleads guilty, the judge is told about housing, medical, and other issues affecting them. The lawyers may recommend terms for a sentencing order designed to help a team support and supervise the offender. Sentences imposed often include:
Support and supervision in the community as part of a probation<p><span lang="EN-US">Being supervised in the community and following certain rules (conditions) as part of a sentence.</span><span> </span></p> order
Community service requirements
Requirements to attend court for reviews where the judge hears reports on a participant’s progress and can make appropriate changes to the sentence<p><span lang="EN-US">A court order setting out the consequences of being convicted of a crime. Sentences may include fines, community supervision or jail. </span><span> </span></p>
When a jail sentence is imposed, VIC provides pre-release planning. The client appears in court before their release from jail to have the conditions of their probation order reviewed and ensure necessary supports are in place. The judge may change the order to specify the housing and rehabilitation services that have been arranged for the client since they were imprisoned.
Participation in VIC is voluntary. Everyone appearing in VIC must consent to attend and participate and must be connected to a community support team. 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 also agree to their participation.
Judges sit in VIC for a year or longer to provide continuity. Crown counsel are also assigned to VIC for extended periods.
Community partners
All VIC clients are supported by a team that may include community outreach workers, social workers, probation officers, and police. The teams include:
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams
Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) and agencies helping its clients
Case Management teams
Youth Intensive Case Management team (YICMT)
People ordered to attend the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community ("New Roads TRC”) as part of their bail or sentencing conditions are also supervised in VIC. This group includes people from outside Victoria.
Representatives of the teams and New Roads TRC meet regularly with the VIC Crown counsel and defence lawyers to discuss cases and plan support and supervision for clients.
While completing their community service, clients have helped to create a mural and a community garden where they can learn gardening skills, grow their own produce, and earn a share in any profits from produce sold.
Eligibility
Talk to your lawyer or duty counsel<p><span lang="EN-US">A lawyer paid by Legal Aid BC who can provide free legal advice and representation at a first court appearance and at a bail hearing, but not usually at trial.</span><span> </span></p> about whether you qualify for Victoria Integrated Court. They can speak to Crown counsel for you.