Crown Counsel expanding in Surrey to deal with people involved with gangs
Posted June 2, 2016 12:38 pm.
Last Updated June 2, 2016 3:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – To help bring those involved in the gang lifestyle to justice, the province is expanding its team of specially-appointed lawyers in Surrey. Two full-time lawyers and a paralegal will be joining the city’s Crown Counsel offices and they’ll be dedicated to prosecuting those involved with gangs and guns.
But are there enough judges to deal with the expected influx of cases?
Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton is confident there will be, but when asked about increasing staffing levels at the courts — she admitted it would be hard.
“With the judge comes sheriffs, court staff — so, there is a big equation there, but we are always looking at that to make sure our facilities are appropriately staffed so we’re not just building courtrooms but we’re building spaces that are used.”
The addition of more lawyers in Surrey will also help cut down on the backlog of cases making their way through provincial court as the city grapples with an uptick in gun violence. “It was determined two more [lawyers] would be very useful in these serious issues that Surrey is facing,” adds Anton.
Asked whether the provincial government would continue to expand on the number of Crown lawyers and judges, Anton would only say she expects more court-related announcements in the future.
New courts
Meantime, Surrey’s courthouse is also expanding. Construction is underway on a $33.5 million project that will see three additional courtrooms and two hearing rooms at the current facility.
The project will include $27 million in construction costs and the rest of the money will go towards things like architectural design, electrical and security.
“This is a major expansion to the Surrey courthouse that will increase access to justice for British Columbians. Cases will be heard more expediently and bad guys will be put behind bars in a more timely fashion,” says Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk.
The new courts will also make way for new technology that will allow remote appearances through an upgraded videoconference system.
