Kelowna Criminal Lawyer
Stern Shapray Criminal Lawyers defends individuals facing criminal charges in Kelowna and across the Okanagan. Our lawyers appear at Kelowna’s Provincial and Supreme Court at 1355 Water Street, bringing close to 30 years of criminal defence experience to every case.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE IN THE OKANAGAN
Defending Criminal Charges in Kelowna, BC
Being charged with a criminal offence in Kelowna can feel isolating. The Okanagan may be hours from the Lower Mainland, but the criminal justice system operates with the same stakes and urgency as any courthouse in British Columbia. A conviction can mean jail time, a criminal record, loss of employment, and restrictions on travel, regardless of where the charges are laid.
At Stern Shapray Criminal Lawyers, we have been representing clients in Kelowna and the broader Okanagan region since 1997. We travel to Kelowna regularly to appear at the courthouse on Water Street and are familiar with the Crown counsel, judicial expectations, and court procedures specific to the Interior region.
All criminal matters in Kelowna, from bail hearings and remand appearances to trials and sentencing, are heard at the Kelowna Provincial and Supreme Court at 1355 Water Street. Unlike Vancouver, which splits criminal cases across multiple locations, Kelowna’s single courthouse handles both Provincial Court matters (summary offences, most indictable offences) and Supreme Court matters (the most serious charges, jury trials, and preliminary inquiries) under one roof.
Criminal charges in the Kelowna area are typically laid by the Kelowna RCMP, whose main detachment is located at 1190 Richter Street. Charges may also originate from West Kelowna RCMP, the Peachland detachment, or specialized RCMP units operating in the Interior. After arrest, you may be released with conditions or held for a bail hearing at the Kelowna courthouse. Our team is available to attend on short notice.
The Okanagan has seen significant population growth in recent years, and with it an increase in court volume. Kelowna’s courthouse now handles a wide range of criminal matters including impaired driving charges (common on Highway 97 and local roads), domestic assault allegations, drug offences connected to the region’s proximity to cross-border trafficking routes, and property crimes. If you are facing charges in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, or elsewhere in the Central Okanagan, contact us at 604.590.5600.
KELOWNA COURTHOUSE INFORMATION
Kelowna Provincial and Supreme Court
| Address | 1355 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R3 |
| Telephone | (250) 470-6900 |
| Fax | (250) 470-6939 |
| Registry Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Region | Interior |
| Court Levels | Provincial Court and Supreme Court (both at this location) |
| Serves | Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and the Central Okanagan |
| Note | Handles criminal, family, civil, traffic, and bylaw matters. Both summary and serious indictable offences are heard here. |
CHARGES WE DEFEND IN KELOWNA
Areas of Practice
From impaired driving charges after a traffic stop on Highway 97 to drug trafficking investigations in the Central Okanagan, our team has defended the full spectrum of criminal allegations before the Kelowna courthouse. Explore our practice areas below.
Drug Crimes & Organized Crime
Drug Possession, Drug Trafficking, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Production, Importing
Domestic Assault
Domestic Assault, Spousal Violence, Breach of No-Contact Orders, Peace Bonds, Criminal Harassment
General Assault & Threats
Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Aggravated Assault, Uttering Threats, Forcible Confinement
Sexual Offences
Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Sexual Exploitation, Voyeurism, Intimate Image Distribution
Impaired & Criminal Driving
Impaired Driving (DUI), Driving Over 80mg, Refusing a Breath Sample, Dangerous Driving, Failing to Remain
Weapons & Firearms
Unauthorized Firearm Possession, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Weapons Trafficking, Prohibited Weapons
Financial & White Collar
Fraud, Theft Over/Under $5,000, Money Laundering, Identity Fraud, Forgery
Internet Crimes
Online Fraud, Child Exploitation Material, Cyberbullying & Harassment, Luring
Border Offences
Customs Act Violations, Smuggling, False Declarations, Immigration-Related Charges
Youth Criminal Justice
Youth Criminal Defence, Extrajudicial Measures, Youth Sentencing, Adult Sentences for Youth
Motor Vehicle Act (Tickets)
Excessive Speeding, Driving While Prohibited, Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, Traffic Ticket Defence
Appeals & Other Matters
Criminal Appeals, Judicial Reviews, Record Suspensions, Security Clearance Applications
WHY CHOOSE STERN SHAPRAY FOR YOUR KELOWNA CASE
What Sets Us Apart
We Travel to Kelowna
Many Lower Mainland firms decline Interior cases. We don’t. Our lawyers regularly travel to Kelowna to appear at 1355 Water Street, and we are familiar with the local Crown counsel and court procedures
Close to 30 Years of Experience
Since 1997, Stern Shapray has built a reputation for results across British Columbia, not just on the coast. Our experience extends throughout the Interior, including Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Penticton.
A Team Behind Every Case
When you hire Stern Shapray, you get a multi-lawyer team collaborating on your defence. We pressure-test every argument and strategy before it reaches the courtroom in Kelowna.
Punjabi-Speaking Lawyers
The Okanagan’s South Asian community is growing rapidly. We have Punjabi-speaking counsel available to ensure you can communicate clearly about your case in your preferred language.
Available for Urgent Matters
If you or a family member has been arrested in Kelowna and needs immediate legal advice or representation at a bail hearing, we can coordinate coverage at the courthouse on short notice.
Free Initial Consultation
We offer a no-obligation consultation to assess your Kelowna case and explain your options, by phone or video, before you commit to any fees. Call 604.590.5600 to get started.
AREAS SERVICED
Defending Clients Across British Columbia
In addition to Kelowna, Stern Shapray represents clients at courthouses throughout B.C.:
| ○ | Surrey | |
| ○ | Vancouver | |
| ○ | Kelowna | Current Page |
| ○ | Victoria | |
| ○ | Nanaimo | |
| ○ | Prince George | |
| ○ | Fort St. John |
| ○ | Surrey |
| ○ | Vancouver |
| ● | Kelowna (Current Page) |
| ○ | Victoria |
| ○ | Nanaimo |
| ○ | Prince George |
| ○ | Fort St. John |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Kelowna Criminal Law FAQs
Q: Where is the Kelowna courthouse?
The Kelowna Provincial and Supreme Court is located at 1355 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R3. This single courthouse handles both Provincial Court matters (summary offences, bail hearings, most criminal trials) and Supreme Court matters (serious indictable offences, jury trials, preliminary inquiries). The registry is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Q: I was arrested by the Kelowna RCMP. What should I do?
Exercise your right to remain silent and ask to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions. The Kelowna RCMP main detachment is at 1190 Richter Street, but regardless of where you are held, you have the right to call a lawyer. Contact us at 604.590.5600 immediately, we can provide advice over the phone and arrange representation at your bail hearing at the Kelowna courthouse.
Q: Do you actually come to Kelowna for court?
Yes. Our lawyers regularly travel to Kelowna to appear at the courthouse on Water Street. We handle bail hearings, pre-trial conferences, trials, and sentencing hearings in person. For preliminary matters, we may also appear by video where the court permits. We are not a firm that hands off Interior files to local agents, we handle your case directly.
Q: What types of criminal charges are common in Kelowna?
The Kelowna courthouse sees a high volume of impaired driving charges (particularly along Highway 97 and during summer tourism season), domestic assault, drug offences ranging from simple possession to trafficking, weapons charges, property crimes including theft and mischief, and breaches of court-imposed conditions. The region’s growing population has also led to an increase in fraud and financial crime cases.
Q: Can I avoid a criminal record if I’m charged in Kelowna?
A charge alone does not create a criminal record, only a conviction does. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to have charges withdrawn, secure an acquittal at trial, receive an absolute or conditional discharge, or resolve the matter through a peace bond or alternative measures. The approach depends on the strength of the Crown’s evidence, your personal circumstances, and the defence strategy your lawyer builds.
Q: What is the difference between Provincial Court and Supreme Court in Kelowna?
Both courts sit at the same location, 1355 Water Street, but they handle different types of cases. Provincial Court deals with summary conviction offences, many indictable offences, bail hearings, and remand. Supreme Court handles the most serious charges (murder, manslaughter, large-scale trafficking), cases where the accused elects a jury trial, and preliminary inquiries. Our lawyers appear at both court levels in Kelowna.
Q: How long does a criminal case take in Kelowna?
Timelines in Kelowna vary. Guilty pleas and diversions may resolve in weeks to a few months. Contested matters requiring disclosure review, pre-trial motions, and a trial can take 6 to 14 months or longer. Kelowna’s court has experienced increasing demand in recent years due to population growth in the Okanagan, which can affect scheduling. We will give you a realistic assessment at your first consultation.
Q: Do you speak Punjabi?
Yes. We have Punjabi-speaking lawyers available for consultations and court representation. Visit our Punjabi-speaking lawyer page or call us to arrange a meeting in Punjabi. This service is available for clients across all of our locations, including Kelowna.
Q: I live in West Kelowna / Peachland / Lake Country. Can you help?
Absolutely. The Kelowna courthouse at 1355 Water Street serves the broader Central Okanagan, including West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and surrounding areas. Charges laid by West Kelowna RCMP, Peachland RCMP, or other Interior detachments are typically heard at the Kelowna courthouse. We represent clients from anywhere in the Okanagan.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for an IRP or traffic ticket in Kelowna?
An Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) is not a criminal charge, but the consequences, licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and mandatory programs, can be severe. Motor Vehicle Act offences including excessive speeding and driving while prohibited can also carry significant penalties. A lawyer can review the officer’s grounds, identify procedural errors, and represent you at an adjudicative review or traffic court hearing.
Q: Does Stern Shapray handle youth charges in Kelowna?
Yes. We represent young persons (under 18) charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Youth criminal matters in Kelowna are heard at the Provincial Court at 1355 Water Street. The youth justice system emphasizes rehabilitation, and there are unique sentencing options and protections that apply. We work to protect the rights and futures of young clients in the Okanagan.
Q: Can I get my charges dropped before trial in Kelowna?
In some cases, yes. Crown counsel may agree to withdraw or stay charges based on insufficient evidence, completion of diversion or counselling programs, or resolution through a peace bond. The Interior Crown’s approach to resolution can differ from Lower Mainland practices, and having a lawyer who understands those differences is an advantage. Early legal representation gives you the best chance of a favourable pre-trial outcome.
Q: How much does a criminal lawyer cost for a Kelowna case?
Fees depend on the type of charge, complexity of the evidence, and whether the matter proceeds to trial. Travel to Kelowna is factored into our fee structure transparently. We offer a free initial consultation by phone or video to assess your case and provide a clear estimate before you make any commitment.
Facing Criminal Charges in Kelowna?
Get experienced defence counsel who knows the Okanagan courts. We are ready to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.