JUDGES' REPORT ALL IN FAVOUR OF COMMUNITY COURT

Get caught for stealing a car in the morning and be assigned to pick
up garbage in the afternoon.

That's the way supporters of a new kind of lower court would like to
deal with chronic offenders committing "minor" crimes.

A "community court" was proposed yesterday by Chief Judge Hugh
Stansfield of the B.C. Provincial Court and Chief Justice Donald
Brenner of the B.C. Supreme Court, who were acting as part of the
Justice Review Task Force.

Stansfield said new solutions are needed because Vancouver has the
highest rate of property crime in the country. There were 17,000
thefts from autos in each of 2002 and 2003. Average insurance costs
were $640.

"Street crime, if left unchecked, will erode public confidence in the
justice system," said Brenner.

The community court would function as a kind of clearing house for
minor property crimes. It would be housed in a stand-alone building
along with social services such as health, housing and income
assistance. The approach is used in the U.S. and Britain.

Health professionals would identify drug addicts and the mentally ill,
who, said Brenner, don't belong in the regular court system.

The judges envision a quick process: First, a day in court; next,
consequences. And they want the public to see that the system works.

The accused would have to agree to go before the new court and would
have access to a lawyer.

A defendant also could opt for a regular trial, Stansfield
said.

Skeptics wondered if the court would end up being "soft" on repeat
criminals.

"It's not being soft on crime at all," said Stansfield. "You can't
lock people up for the rest of their lives."

Added Brenner: "The intent of the report is to come to grips with the
causes. We hope the province will approve our recommendation."

Attorney-General Wally Oppal said he supports the "revolutionary" plan
and promised an update in two months.