Lawyers hoping courts don’t get overwhelmed
In-person trials to resume on Monday following pause caused by pandemic
The virtual “welcome” sign is going back up at the entrance to the Calgary Courts Centre, but members of the legal community hope there aren’t too many people taking up the offer.
The criminal division of Calgary provincial court will begin conducting in-person trials on Monday and appearances will no longer be automatically adjourned for a set period, as they have been since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.
But measures have been put in place to minimize the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, including the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association setting up a table in the courthouse lobby to assist people with court appearances, as well as phone-line access to duty counsel.
Association president Ian Savage said Friday the plan is “to reduce the number of self-represented individuals coming through security and going into the building.”
Savage said with the assistance of Legal Aid, Calgary Legal Guidance and Native Counselling, a triage program will be set up in the south lobby of the courts centre.
“We persuaded (Legal Aid) to fund a duty counsel triage position … for at least the first week.”
Provincial court Assistant Chief Judge Joanne Durant said it is hoped the majority of people will utilize alternative options to attending in person where they aren’t scheduled for a trial or hearing.
“A process has been created by which those facing charges can appear remotely, either with the assistance of duty counsel up to 14 days in advance of their scheduled appearance, or by calling the Case Management Office on the day of the scheduled appearance,” Durant said in an email.
Duty counsel will now be accessible by phone Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to noon by calling 1-855-670-6149 and other information on remote attendance is available on the provincial court website.
“While those who attend court in person will be assisted, those who do it remotely will be able to avoid the anticipated lineups and delays as a result of the COVID safety protocols,” Durant said.
Chief Crown prosecutor Sue Kendall said her office is also doing what it can to streamline the process and limit the number of people who have to show up in person.
Kendall said a prosecutor will be available by phone to either duty counsel or the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association lawyer to deal with any pressing issues that may arise.
Kendall said it will take some time before things get back to some sense of normal.
“We’re in the process of returning to business as usual — certainly Monday won’t be business as usual.”
Savage said while information is available online to assist the public, he noted many people before the courts don’t have easy access.
“We don’t expect the marginalized people that often make up that part of the courthouse clientele, we don’t necessarily expect them to be reading the website,” he said.