ministry of justice

Traffic court on its way out with new e-ticketing system

WILL THE DECISION RELIEVE BACKED UP PROVINCIAL COURTS AND SAVE MONEY OR WILL IT STRIP YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS? KAMLOOPS - A critic of a new amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act — which will introduce driving notices instead of tickets and remove provincial traffic courts for disputes — calls the move unconstitutional and plans...

Crime spree nets Vernon man more time behind bars

VERNON - A Vernon man says he was denied detox services for the third time shortly before attempting to carjack a woman’s vehicle and breaking into a nearby home. David Arthur Bruno Sammartino, born in 1984, was sentenced in Vernon Provincial Court Wednesday, April 1, on two charges of breaking and entering, and one of...

Boonstock says RCMP accounting is ‘speculation’

PENTICTON - Boonstock organizers say they received a bill from the provincial government three-and-a-half times more than the additional $50,000 RCMP say is owed for extra costs incurred over the festival weekend last month. The Ministry of Justice sent an invoice to Boonstock organizers with a “total owing” of nearly $177,000, and gave them 30...

Considering a career in corrections? Here’s your chance to get into the industry

PENTICTON - B.C. Corrections is considering hosting additional information sessions for people interested in a career with the justice system. The Justice Institute and B.C. Corrections received a strong turnout to the orientation sessions held throughout the South Okanagan for anyone interested in becoming a corrections officers at the Okanagan Correctional Centre set to open...

Penticton police officer at risk of being charged with causing injury

PENTICTON - The fate of a Penticton RCMP officer is in the hands of Crown Counsel after a complaint was filed by a woman who allegedly sustained injuries while in police custody. Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal of the Independent Investigations Office filed the report after a complaint was made by the woman involved in...

Man accused of online luring, child pornography will stand trial

VERNON - A Vernon man accused of possessing child pornography and luring children has been ordered to stand trial. David Willerth, born in 1974, faces 25 charges including making or publishing child pornography, communicating via computer to to lure children under 16, and invitation to sexual touching. After a five-hour preliminary inquiry June 19, the...

Ceremony held to celebrate beginning of corrections facility

OLIVER - Ground was officially broken today by justice, city and Band officials to launch construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre. The ceremony began with members of the Osoyoos Indian Band riding in on horses, drumming and singing traditional songs. “Thank you for honouring our land,” said Bob Etienne, a Band member who performed a...