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St. John’s Specialty Courts

The Family Violence Intervention Court (FVIC) is a specialized therapeutic criminal court that aims to address the complex issues of family violence, with a focus on victim safety and offender accountability. Through early intervention and collaboration with community partners, FVIC aims to break the cycle of violence and address underlying issues such as addictions and mental health. FVIC provides enhanced victim supports and engagement throughout the process.

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St. John’s Specialty Courts

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  1. St. John’s Specialty Courts NAVNET September 19, 2018 Renee Groves – Corrections & Community Services Peggy Newman – Children Seniors and Social Development Michelle Park - Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Michelle Wilson – Legal Aid Commission

  2. Therapeutic Courts • A problem-solving approach • Focus on victim safety and offender accountability while including interventions that addresses the root cause(s) of intimate partner violence • Goal of preventing recidivism, holding offenders more accountable, and healing the individuals involved • Victim supports and engagement throughout the process

  3. Principles of Problem Solving Courts: • Enhanced Information Sharing • Community Engagement • Collaboration • Individualized Justice • Accountability • Adaptability • Source: The Centre for Court Innovation

  4. • GOALS • Better serve victims – enhanced victim safety • Hold offenders more accountable • Provide early intervention (KEY) • Change the cycle of relationship and underlaying issues (addictions, intergeneration violence, mental health) • Collaborate with community partners

  5. Objectives • Enhanced victim safety; • Enhanced offender accountability; • Early intervention for victims; • Early intervention for offenders

  6. • Family Violence Intervention Court (FVIC) • A specialized therapeutic criminal court • Uses intervention based approach to address the complex issues of family violence • Locations in St. John’s and Stephenville

  7. Family Violence • “Family Violence” refers to criminal code offences committed by the accused arising from or related to his or her relationship with a significant partner or ex-partner • Can include offences involving past intimate partner

  8. Team Members • A dedicated judge (and one backup) • Specialty Court Liaison (Provincial Court) • Crown Attorney • Defense Attorney • Risk Assessment Officer (Legal Aid) • Victims Services • Adult Probation (Bail Supervision) • CSSD Liaison Social worker

  9. Purpose of the Team • Share information to ensure victim safety and offender accountability • Make suggestions to the Judge with respect to changes in bail conditions • Physical presence in court to emphasize accountability to the accused

  10. Use of Technology • Stephenville court technology based: • Team members in St. John’s appear via video • Team members in Stephenville appear in court. • Direct client services for offender and victim are provided in Stephenville

  11. Eligibility • Must be charged with an offence involving an intimate partner • Must be an adult (18 years +) • Must plead guilty and accept responsibility for offence • Must be eligible for a community disposition

  12. Offender Requirements • Complete Risk Assessment • Attend programming for family violence or as directed by Bail Supervisor • Follow all conditions and report to bail supervisor • Allow FVIC team to discuss the case • Attend court for updates on progress

  13. Participant Sentencing • Completion of the FVIC Treatment Program is considered by the judge during sentencing. Sentencing could include: • discharge; • suspended sentence; • fines/restitution; • conditional sentence; • incarnation, along with varying periods of probation. • Ancillary orders such as DNA and/or Firearm Prohibition

  14. Victim Supports • Referral to Victim’s Services • safety planning, case and court updates, copies of court orders, support, and counseling. • Facilitation of access to community supports and resources • Assistance preparing Victim Impact Statement used in FVIC before sentencing (optional) • Exit survey (2017-18) 90% would recommend to others. 75% reported reduction in violence, 16.7% uncertain, 8.3 No change • Women’s Center – Empowerment Group • Option to participate in the FVIC process

  15. Statistics (Oct 2015- Mar 2018) • St. John’s • Total clients 253 • Eligible 119 • Completed 112 • Did not complete 5 • Stephenville • Total Clients 85 • Eligible 49 • Completed 29 • Did not complete 5

  16. Questions?. . . Contact: Michelle Park Specialty Court Liaison Provincial Court 729-1787 michellepark@provincial.court.nl.ca http://www.court.nl.ca/provincial/courts/familyviolence/index.html

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