Utoo Radio and Other News Sources - May 2, 2024 - The opening ceremony of the region's first Indigenous Peoples Court in Sudbury, Ontario, marked the beginning of a court that will offer specialized legal, cultural, and social services to Indigenous offenders.

The court, which has been advocating for almost a decade, explores alternatives to incarceration that draw on restorative justice principles.

It also offers sentencing circles, where lawyers, judges, the offender, and their community members sit together to share their experiences and perspectives before proceeding to sentencing.

Criminal defense lawyer Michael Haraschuk says these courts often lead to better outcomes for Indigenous offenders, as everyone has the opportunity to provide their input.

The Indigenous Peoples Court in Sudbury will offer some trial management services, but will mostly focus on sentencing. It is the 20th court of this type to open in Ontario.

The court's success is due to the time it took to secure the required committees and wrap around services, considering the size of the local Indigenous community.