Aboriginal Court Worker Program of Manitoba

What is a Court Worker?
Why do we have Court Workers?
Who may ask for help from a Court Worker?
When should you ask for help?
How do I find a Court Worker?
What does a Court Worker do?
What if I think I broke the law and I need a lawyer?  Can the Court Worker help me?
Can the Court Worker go to court in my place?
What else does the Court Worker do in Court?
I'm pleading guilty, but I am too scared to talk or say anything.  Can the Court Worker tell them what happened and why?
I don't understand the order the court gave to me.  And what do these papers mean?
There are a lot of laws and rules I don't understand.  Can the Court Worker help me?
Where are the other Court Worker offices in this Province?
Offices of the Aboriginal Court Worker Program

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What is a Court Worker?

Court Workers help people who are in contact with the law. They also work in courts to explain what happens there, and to help the judge and Crown attorney understand the situation of the person on trial.

Why do we have Court Workers?

To help Aboriginal people understand what happens when they have been arrested or come before a court. Also to assist in helping you understand your rights and what you have to do.

Who may ask for help from a Court Worker?

The Court Worker Program was started to aid persons of Aboriginal origin who come before a court, but other people can ask for help.

When should you ask for help?

The best time is as soon as you have been arrested or summoned to come to court.

How do I find a Court Worker?

Before court begins, Court Workers read the list of cases that will be heard that day. They look for cases where Aboriginal people will appear. The Court Worker in your court will attempt to seek you out and ask you if you need help, or you may phone your nearest Court Worker.

What does a Court Worker do?

Attending court to assist people is the main thing. They can do this in a number of ways.

If your first language is of an Aboriginal origin, the Court Worker will tell you what is going on and what is being said. This will help you understand what the court is doing and also aids the court in dealing with your case.

The Court Worker will explain the charges against you and why you are in court. He or she will tell you what rights you have under the law -- for instance, how to get out on bail. The Court Worker can tell you where the right courtroom is and help you find resources.

What if I think I broke the law and I need a lawyer? Can the Court Worker help me?

Yes. The Court Worker cannot give you legal advice, but he or she can:

• Give you useful information or refer you to a lawyer or to Legal Aid.
• Make sure that you understand the situation and how you may have to deal with your problems.
• Help you if you need a lawyer by helping you fill out papers and sending them to the right people.

Can the Court Worker go to court in my place?

Most of the time, no. The Court Worker will tell you how important it is for you to go to court yourself.

Sometimes, yes. If you have no lawyer and a very good reason for not going, the Court Worker may attend for you. He or she will have to tell the court why you can't be there and what you want the Court Worker to do for you.

What else does the Court Worker do in court?

He or she will help others in the courtroom. The judge and Crown attorney may ask you, through the Court Worker, questions about your case. The Court Worker is there to help everyone connected with the case.

I'm pleading guilty, but I'm too scared to talk or say anything. Can the Court Worker tell them what happened and why?

Yes. The Court Worker can ensure that the judge and Crown attorney know what situation you were in and what has happened since the offence took place.

I don't understand the order the court gave to me. And what do these papers mean?

The Court Worker will tell you what the sentence or court order means, and what you have to do. He or she will also help you understand the papers and what they mean.

There are a lot of laws and rules I don't understand. Can the Court Worker help?

Yes. Many Aboriginal people ask Court Workers about child welfare, laws about cars, trucks and snowmobiles, roads, fish and game, laws in the city, and many other rules that people don't understand.

A Court Worker will gladly come to your reserve or community to give a workshop about the courts. He or she can also bring other people to help explain things that concern you.

Where are the other Court Worker offices in this Province?

In Brandon, Dauphin, Sagkeeng, Grand Rapids, Portage la Prairie, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg.

Offices of the Aboriginal Court Worker Program

Director
235-405 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3L6
Phone: (204) 945-3909

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