VANCOUVER – The head of B.C.’s Crown Counsel Association says no matter what the government does to improve the current crisis in provincial courts, there will be many more charges thrown out because of long delays.
Samiran Lakshman says the government’s plan to bring back some retired judges is a Band-Aid solution to what is a very large problem.
Lakshman says defence lawyers are routinely telling their clients to go to trial with the belief that the long delays will end with charges being tossed out of court, and that’s already worked for several dozen people.
He says it will take a long time to catch up to the backlog and that for every judge hired the cost is about $ 1.6 million in support workers and court time.
Attorney General Shirley Bond says more sheriffs and court clerks will be hired to help.
She says the government has hired 14 new provincial court judges in the past two years, but provincial court figures show there are 15 fewer judges compared to 2005 levels.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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