Virtual bail hearings are now being used across British Columbia, five years after the program began as a pilot project in the province’s north.

The Province says the system is helping courts operate more efficiently by allowing judges, lawyers, and court staff to take part in hearings remotely, reducing delays and making better use of resources.

Before virtual bail was introduced, people arrested in communities far from a courthouse often had to be transported in custody for their hearing.

Under the virtual system, accused individuals can appear by video from a police detachment or correctional centre, while judges, lawyers, and court staff participate from other locations.

“Virtual bail is changing how our courts operate,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General.

“By allowing judges, lawyers and court staff to participate in hearings across multiple communities in a single day, we are reducing delays and making better use of resources. This is part of our work to build a more efficient justice system that can adapt to increasing demands and continue building timely justice across B.C.”

The Province says virtual bail is especially beneficial for rural, remote, and northern communities, where long travel distances can make court appearances more difficult.

It also allows judges and lawyers to participate in cases from multiple communities on the same day.

There are currently 112 virtual bail video units operating in RCMP detachments and municipal police departments across B.C.

The system is supported by six dedicated virtual bail courtrooms located on Vancouver Island, in the Interior, and in northern B.C., along with six hybrid courtrooms in the Lower Mainland that combine in-person and video attendance.

The Province says virtual bail is part of broader efforts to modernize court services and improve access to justice throughout British Columbia.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.