Who Else Can Help Me in Court?

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is sometimes possible to have someone other than a lawyer help you in court. Indigenous Court Workers work at different court points across the province. A court worker cannot represent you in the same way a lawyer can but can help you through the process and can speak on your behalf in certain cases. They can:

• help you understand all stages of the court process
• talk to you about how to get a lawyer
• appear with you or for you in court if you are dealing with a summary conviction offence or a hybrid offence that is being treated as summary, in which case a court worker can:
  • set a date for a next appearance or a trial
  • request an adjournment
  • enter a plea or make sentencing submissions (i.e. tell the court about your circumstances and what a fit sentence would be)
• talk to the Prosecutor or police about the possibility of alternative measures
• keep your family informed
• refer you to other services and supports
• help you with communication and language barriers
• help to ensure fair and culturally relevant treatment

When you go to court you can ask any of the court officers or lawyers present (the Sheriff, the Prosecutor, the Legal Aid lawyer) if this person is available. Just ask "Is there a court worker here today that I can speak with?" If it is your first appearance in court and you have not been able to ask anyone about this before your name is called, you can ask the judge for time to speak to a court worker before doing anything else. You can also call your First Nation, Tribal Council or other Indigenous governing body or organization before you go to court to find out what services are available.