BC Provincial Court
BC Provincial Court
Provincial Court is the first level of law courts in British Columbia. It hears five types of cases:
- Criminal
- Family
- Traffic
- Youth
- Small Claims
Criminal Court
This court hears most criminal cases in BC. If the crime is not too serious, such as theft under $5,000, the trial will be in Provincial Court.
A more serious crime, such as theft over $5,000, may start in Provincial Court and then may move to the Supreme Court of BC.
Family Court
Sometimes married couples separate. They may not want to get a divorce right away.
Sometimes common-law couples separate. Both married couples and common-law couples who have children need to decide on the following questions:
- Who will take the children?
- Will the other parent visit the children? How often?
- Which parent will pay support money?
If parents cannot decide these things, one or the other or both of them may go to Family Court.
Family Court has family justice counsellors.
Family justice counsellors can help couples agree about the children and support money. They can’t help couples decide about dividing property such as a house, a car, or furniture.
If a couple can’t agree, they can talk to the judge at Family Court. They may have a Judicial Case Conference. At a Judicial Case Conference, a judge will sit down with the couple and their lawyers. Everyone will try to reach an agreement about what is best for the child. If noone can agree, the judge can arrange for a hearing in court.
If the case goes to court, each parents present their facts, and the judge decides.
If the couple can’t agree about dividing property, they can go to BC Supreme Court. If a married couple decides to get a divorce, they must go to BC Supreme Court.
Traffic Court
A police officer may give you a traffic ticket. Maybe the police gave you a speeding ticket. Maybe you parked in a one-hour parking zone for two hours and got a parking ticket. Maybe the officer said you drove through a red light. What if you don’t agree with the police officer? You can go to Traffic Court and explain what happened.
Traffic Court hears all minor traffic cases. You don’t need a lawyer for Traffic Court. Tell the judge what happened. Explain why you should not have got a ticket.
The police officer who gave you the ticket may also talk to the judge. The judge will decide who is right.
Youth Court
Youth Court is for young people from 12 to 17 years old who are accused of breaking the law — for example, stealing or dangerous driving.
Children under 12 do not have to go to court. Young people 18 years old and older are adults. They go to the Criminal Division of Provincial Court.