Salmon Arm Law Courts
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
January 04, 2022 - 7:00 AM
Due to concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the vast majority of court proceedings in the province will either take place virtually this week or be postponed to a future date.
In the Provincial Court, suspects currently held in custody will see their provincial court proceedings go ahead, but any out-of custody suspects will see their criminal cases adjourned to a future date.
In the Supreme Court, all in-person appearances, whether criminal or civil matters will be adjourned.
The revised court measures were issued Dec. 31, 2021, and interim measures were added for the week Jan. 4 to Jan 7, 2022. The courts say information about what happens after Jan. 7 will be issued at a later date.
Lawyers and parties are still expected to attend court by phone on the day of their appearance so a future date can be scheduled.
All bail hearings will proceed as normal and will be conducted by audio and video conference.
Provincial Court proceedings involving those in custody will require witnesses to wait outside the courthouse within a 30-minute distance, and be prepared to be called to attend court in person. A provincial court memo says the court will then decide which trials proceed and which don't.
The memo says a bench warrant will be issued for all accused persons who cannot be contacted on their trial date between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7.
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