BC First Nations Justice Council — Indigenous Justice Centres
Indigenous Justice Centres offer culturally appropriate information, advice, support, and representation for Indigenous people.
You may be able to get help from duty counsel in Provincial Court if you:
- are charged with a crime, and
- can’t get a legal aid lawyer, or
- haven’t yet applied for legal aid.
Duty counsel can provide you with advice about:
- the charges against you,
- court procedures, and
- your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid).
Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing. If there’s time, duty counsel can help with a guilty plea.
Who is eligible for duty counsel services?
You don’t have to be financially eligible to get criminal duty counsel services. However, you must meet Legal Aid BC coverage and financial eligibility requirements to receive ongoing representation.
Where to find duty counsel
Duty counsel is available at courthouses throughout the province. For duty counsel hours in your area:
- Contact your local court registry. (Click the location nearest you to find the court’s address, phone number, and hours.)
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
Are you Indigenous? First Nations/Indigenous Court
If you identify as Indigenous, you may be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing in First Nations/Indigenous Court.
Courts are located in:
Duncan First Nations Court
238 Government Street
Duncan BC V9L 1A5
250-746-1258Open in Google Maps Duncan
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
Kamloops Cknu’cwentn First Nations Sentencing Court
(The place where help is given)455 Columbia Street
Kamloops BC V2C 6K4
250-828-4344Open in Google Maps Kamloops
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
Lillooet Indigenous Court
Nicola Valley Indigenous Court (Merritt)
3420 Voght Street
Merritt BC V1K 1C7
250-378-1856Open in Google Maps Merritt
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
Hazelton Indigenous Court
Erwin Stege Community Hall
4633 10 AveNew Hazelton BC V0J 2J0
250-847-7376Open in Google Maps New Hazelton
New Westminster First Nations Court
651 Carnarvon Street
New Westminster BC V3M 1C9
604-660-8522Open in Google Maps New Westminster
Photo by Courthouse Libraries BC
North Vancouver Chet wa nexwníw̓ ta S7eḵw’í7tel Indigenous Court
(We are giving family good advice)
Prince George Indigenous Court
250 George Street
Prince George BC V2L 5S2
250-614-2700Open in Google Maps Prince George
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
Williams Lake Indigenous Court
540 Borland Street
Williams Lake BC V2G 1R8
250-398-4301Open in Google Maps Williams Lake
Photo by John Deacon K.C./courthouses.co
(See our First Nations/Indigenous Court services map)
The Provincial Court of BC website gives the dates when First Nations/Indigenous Court sits in each location: Duncan, Kamloops, Merritt, New Hazelton, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Prince George, and Williams Lake.
More on: First Nations/Indigenous Court (Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website), also see the fact sheet What Are First Nations/Indigenous Courts? (PDF)
If you identify as Indigenous, ask your lawyer about having Gladue principles applied to your case and what’s best for you. For more information, contact the BC First Nations Justice Council.