Court

A rottweiler puppy waits to be examined by a veterinarian during a free animal health care clinic for the pets of low or no income residents, in Abbotsford in 2019. A May 2022 B.C. small claims decision involving a rottweiler demonstrates the complexity of shared pet custody. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dog ownership split between multiple exes makes for tricky B.C. custody case

B.C. woman ordered to return dog to ex, ex’s old partner despite claim it was gifted to her verbally

A rottweiler puppy waits to be examined by a veterinarian during a free animal health care clinic for the pets of low or no income residents, in Abbotsford in 2019. A May 2022 B.C. small claims decision involving a rottweiler demonstrates the complexity of shared pet custody. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)

New BC Prosecution document guides against excessive incarceration of Indigenous people

Prosecutors reminded to always consider impacts of colonialism, residential schools

The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)
A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)

Inattentive B.C. husband owes wife nearly $800,000 after he rear-ended her car

The crash left the woman with injuries and lasting pain

A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)
BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)

B.C. mother fails in appeal of 15-year sentence for her daughter’s murder

Bid to reduce time served without elegibility for parole dismissed in BC Appeal Court

BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)
Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crown drops COVID charges against Fraser Valley pastors accused of violating public health orders

Fines totalling $55,200 dropped against three Chilliwack pastors

Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A B.C. man was denied a $5,000 damage claim May 10, for an injury he sustained from a falling portable speaker at the Columbia SkyTrain station. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. man denied $5K claim after portable speaker hit his shin at SkyTrain station

Speaker fell after a fellow passenger’s bag tore open

A B.C. man was denied a $5,000 damage claim May 10, for an injury he sustained from a falling portable speaker at the Columbia SkyTrain station. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man who killed his mother in Gibsons in 2020 was found by a B.C. Supreme Court judge last week to be not criminally responsible for his actions. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man who killed his mother with an axe in Gibsons found not criminally responsible

Kevin Webster remains in care at psychiatric hospital

A man who killed his mother in Gibsons in 2020 was found by a B.C. Supreme Court judge last week to be not criminally responsible for his actions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)

Two B.C. school trustees suing for reinstatement after suspensions for bullying

Trustees argue suspensions over statements about staff disproportionate, beyond school board powers

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)
Geoff Regier (far left) had his charges dropped on Friday (April 29). (Submitted)

Crown drops charges on one of four Abbotsford hog protestors

Geoff Regier’s charges dropped after lawyers argue ‘abuse of process’ related to SPCA

Geoff Regier (far left) had his charges dropped on Friday (April 29). (Submitted)
Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis comments on an auditor general’s report in Edmonton on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Ex-Alberta justice minister found in contempt of court for defamation-threat letter

Judge ruled letter was an attempt to intimidate Dr. Anny Sauvageau while she was on witness stand

Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis comments on an auditor general’s report in Edmonton on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Jason Francis Wallace will be released after serving two-thirds of his manslaughter sentence, but no halfway house in Canada is willing to take him in due to the danger he poses. (Black Press Media files)

Released Langley killer too dangerous for halfway houses

Jason Francis Wallace’s parole conditions have been altered

Jason Francis Wallace will be released after serving two-thirds of his manslaughter sentence, but no halfway house in Canada is willing to take him in due to the danger he poses. (Black Press Media files)
The truck rampaged through a mall parking lot near 240th Street in Maple Ridge and came to a stop against an unoccupied bus stop. (The News/files)

Driver pleads guilty to killing mom in Maple Ridge in 2018

Pickup rampaged through parking lot at Dewdney Trunk and 240th

The truck rampaged through a mall parking lot near 240th Street in Maple Ridge and came to a stop against an unoccupied bus stop. (The News/files)
Forensic investigators returned to the home of Naomi Onotera after her husband was arrested and charged with her death on Dec. 17 last year. (Langley Advance Times files)

No bail for husband accused in Langley woman’s death

Suspect’s attempt to gain bail had been opposed by a protest

Forensic investigators returned to the home of Naomi Onotera after her husband was arrested and charged with her death on Dec. 17 last year. (Langley Advance Times files)
The province is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that determined sheltering is not allowed in Beacon Hill Park under the terms of an 1882 trust. It filed its notice of appeal March 23. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province appeals court ruling against sheltering in Victoria’s signature park

Beacon Hill Park decision raises questions for other B.C. parks with trusts, attorney general says

The province is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that determined sheltering is not allowed in Beacon Hill Park under the terms of an 1882 trust. It filed its notice of appeal March 23. (Black Press Media file photo)
Brandon Nathan Teixeira, charged in connection with a fatal 2017 shooting in South Surrey, is scheduled for trial beginning July 4, 2022. (File photos)

Trial of notorious B.C. fugitive Brandon Teixeira set to begin July 4

Teixeira was arrested in California following extensive manhunt

Brandon Nathan Teixeira, charged in connection with a fatal 2017 shooting in South Surrey, is scheduled for trial beginning July 4, 2022. (File photos)
An Abbotsford man has been sentenced for the shooting of two people outside a Langley hotel in November of 2020. (Langley Advance Times file)

Abbotsford man sentenced for double shooting at Langley hotel

November 2020 incident saw suspects jump out of burning van

An Abbotsford man has been sentenced for the shooting of two people outside a Langley hotel in November of 2020. (Langley Advance Times file)
A mother won the right to vaccinate her daughter against COVID-19, over the wishes of the child’s father, in a Supreme Court ruling at the Victoria courthouse on Feb. 3. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. mom wins court battle to vaccinate immunocompromised 7-year-old

Father opposed vaccine, argued too many unknowns around its effects on children

A mother won the right to vaccinate her daughter against COVID-19, over the wishes of the child’s father, in a Supreme Court ruling at the Victoria courthouse on Feb. 3. (Black Press Media file photo)
More than three months after she disappeared, the husband of missing Langley City woman Naomi Onotera was arrested and charged with manslaughter. (RCMP)

Protest planned as suspect in death of Langley’s Naomi Onotera seeks bail

Obnes Regis is applying for release next week in Surrey Provincial Court

More than three months after she disappeared, the husband of missing Langley City woman Naomi Onotera was arrested and charged with manslaughter. (RCMP)
Nanaimo Courthouse. (News Bulletin file photo)

B.C. man who lost 20 friends to overdoses sentenced for trafficking fentanyl

Judge gives Terrance Virus 6 years minus time served in Nanaimo case

Nanaimo Courthouse. (News Bulletin file photo)
Two Colwood parents had their disagreement over vaccination of their daughter decided by a judge recently in the Western Communities Courthouse. (Black Press Media file photo)

Judge allows B.C. mom to vaccinate daughter over dad’s objections

Ruling finds health officials in better position to weigh benefits and risks than unknown others

Two Colwood parents had their disagreement over vaccination of their daughter decided by a judge recently in the Western Communities Courthouse. (Black Press Media file photo)