Court Runner - Downtown Community Court
The Eilzabeth Fry Society is looking for volunteers at the Downtown Community Court (DCC) in Vancouver. Volunteers act as courtroom attendants and court runners while court is in session and assist clients through the court process and support DCC staff including the judge, crown and defence. This is a position for any student wanting to gain insight into the Criminal Justice System. It is an ideal opportunity for future law students, current criminology, social work and forensic psychology students and any individual interested in the Downtown Community Court, a unique initiative in Canada. *Please see Additional Information for current updates*
As a volunteer court runner you will:
- Attend court proceedings and take notes
- Help individuals navigate the court process and ensure they connect with relevant staff
- Establish and build rapport with the clients, provide emotional support
- Comply with applicable EFry policies and procedures
- Transfer documents and make phonecalls
- Assist duty counsel, sherriff and judges and other DCC staff
In order to be a volunteer court runner you must:
- Be 21 years of age
- Provide three professional references
- Successfully participate in an interview and orientation
- Undergo a satisfactory criminal record check
- Have strong communication skills
- Be reliable, responsible and caring
- Be mature and non-judgmental
- Knowledge of mental health and addiction is an asset
- Be able to commit to a weekly shift
- Be able to commit to minimum of three months of volunteering
We are currently not recruiting volunteers at this time, as the court runner program is on hold due to COVID19 restricitions. Please check back once all restrictions have been lifted, or email with any questions.
