The west entrance to the Grande Prairie Courthouse (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Shaun Penner

Legal Aid

Full-time duty counsel lawyer hired to serve in Grande Prairie

Mar 3, 2021 | 1:59 PM

Grande Prairie now has a full-time lawyer serving as duty counsel for the area.

The Legal Aid Society of Alberta (LAA) says it has hired DJ Janjua as a full-time staff lawyer. Janjua will become the first such lawyer to serve in a full-time capacity as duty counsel out of the Swan City on a permanent basis.

LAA senior lawyer Andrew Holko says in the same way recruiting full-time physicians in rural Alberta can be a challenge, the same applies for lawyers, including duty counsel.

“By establishing a full-time presence, we’re providing operating continuity and supporting more vulnerable Albertans,” said Holko. “Having the same person there week in and week out means you gain a better understanding about the procedures and operations of court staff, Crown, judiciary, sheriffs, and probation.”

Duty counsel provides free legal advice and assistance to individuals at their first criminal court appearance, regardless of income, who are not represented by a lawyer. Duty counsellors can also help to resolve matters, if appropriate, by way of summary disposition, diversion, or speaking to the Crown prosecutor on the person’s behalf prior to them needing to seek outside counsel or to apply for legal aid.

“Duty counsel basically helps anyone who walks in the door,” said Holko. “That includes a wide range of people, charges and people who may or may not be familiar with the justice system.

Holko suggests having a duty counsellor taking care of Grande Prairie specifically can help reduce some of the backlog in the court system, as they become familiar with community trends and alternate justice methods that are available.

“We hope to connect with some of the services available in Grande Prairie, such as mental health diversion and other things to assist people and perhaps breaking the chain of constant charging,” said Holko.

“Focusing on addictions and mental health issues, alternative dispute resolution and other available resources will decrease the chances of recidivism, decrease court appearances, and lessen the burden on our judicial system.”

Being a familiar face to those who repeatedly find themselves back in court, Holko thinks an established duty counsel in Grande Prairie will be able to better understand some of the individuals who have “fallen through the cracks” and help them get out of the cycle of offending.

In the meantime, Janjua says he is excited to support the criminal and family court dockets in Grande Prairie, as well as a potential Drug Treatment Court.

“I want to see another side of the province,” Janjua said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn about a new region and to develop a deep sense of the community.”

Born and raised in Edmonton, Janjua earned his law degree at the University of Victoria. Following that, he articled with LAA in Calgary and was called to the bar in 2020.