Domestic violence court opens in Calgary.

• Author: Mitchell, Teresa

The first court in Alberta to hear exclusively domestic violence cases officially opened in June at the Provincial Court building in downtown Calgary. "The Calgary Domestic Violence Court is the first initiative of its scope in Canada ... a partnership between three levels of government and community based agencies," according to Alberta Justice Minister Dave Hancock.

During the first year, the court will be used for first appearances of all cases of domestic violence in Calgary, accepting guilty pleas, and handing down sentences when a guilty plea has been...