Vancouver's Downtown Community Court

Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court

Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court is a unique partnership between the Provincial Court of B.C., justice, health, social services agencies and community members working together to address complex crime issues in the downtown area.

Downtown Community Court provides sanctions, services and interventions to individuals who encounter the justice system to create a safer, more liveable downtown community. Court partners collaborate to foster a sense of responsibility in individuals and change their behaviour to reduce the harm caused to the community from unlawful acts.

The court’s problem-solving and coordinated approach:

• Improves justice system efficiencies through coordinated case management practices among government agencies.
• Integrates justice, health and social services to hold individuals accountable and produce better outcomes for the community.
• Ensures the most effective use of available resources and services by working with the community and maintaining relationships with outside service providers.

Downtown Community Court principles

• Responsive - Individuals are assessed and connected with services such as income assistance, addiction and mental health support, and health care.
• Connected - Input from area residents, business owners, community agencies, and others helps identify services in the area that will be most beneficial to individuals.
• Collaborative - Health, forensic psychiatric services, income assistance, Indigenous partners, and housing staff work together under one roof alongside prosecutors, defence counsel, court clerks, sheriffs, police, probation officers, victim services, and others. 

Types of offences often heard by the court

• Criminal code offences – Offences where the Crown proceeds summarily (e.g. theft, mischief, assault, break and enter).
• Offences related to non-compliance with community court orders – Failing to appear in court and violating the terms of a court order.