JUDGE HOPES COMMUNITY COURT WILL CHANGE SYSTEM FOR BETTER

New Tribunal To Hear First Case This Morning

When the Downtown Community Court hears its first case this morning,
presiding Judge Thomas Gove hopes it will mark the dawn of a new age
in criminal justice in Canada.

Following successful models of community courts operating in the U.S.
and other Commonwealth countries, Vancouver's version takes a
collaborative approach to solving the root causes of petty crimes.

"We could use it, I suggest, to reform the entire justice system,"
Gove told The Province yesterday during a tour of the refurbished
former Vancouver Pre-trial Centre for Vancouver Board of Trade members.

From drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness to homelessness,
unemployment and poverty -- the whole gamut of social ills that
plagues Canada's most wretched neighbourhood will be tackled.

The court will offer people accused of committing petty crimes in
downtown Vancouver a chance to plead guilty on their first appearance
before a judge and immediately enter programs designed to put them on
the right track. Those who plead not guilty will be escorted to the
adjoining Provincial Court on Main Street.

"Not a lot of people turn down an offer of help," said Gove, a
provincial court judge for the past 18 years.

Speedy justice with meaningful sentences -- generally involving
community service -- are the hallmarks of community courts, he said.

"The advantage is we will now have proper assessments," said Gove,
referring to the "triage" teams of probation officers, heath-care
specialists and social workers that will take on a client's case
inside the court building in the 200-block Gore Avenue.