Changing Role of Native Courtworkers (From Self- Sufficiency in Northern Justice Issues, P 195-202, 1992, Curt Taylor Griffiths, ed. -- See NCJ-141302)

• NCJ Number: 141310
• Author(s): D Avison; A Mackenzie; H N Tolonganak
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Northern Justice Soc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: From a workshop at the fifth meeting of the Northern Justice Society held in Sitka, Alaska, April 1991.

Annotation

This paper examines the various roles of courtworkers in remote northern communities.

Abstract

Courtworkers generally provide support to Native defendants by interpreting court proceedings in the Native defendant's language and answering any questions the defendant might have about how the court operates and what is expected of the defendant. In the Northwest Territories, under the guidelines for legal aid coverage, courtworkers also provide legal aid assistance on summary matters for eligible persons. Courtworkers who perform such functions are paralegals. They are under the direction of the lawyer for the services they provide. Efforts are underway to not only allow courtworkers to do trials in justice of the peace courts, but also to provide a variety of civil services. A primary need of courtworkers who work in remote regions is to have a support network. There is often no one in their immediate communities with whom they can discuss job-related problems, stress, and frustrations.