Pre-written bylaw tickets?

The arraignment for a well-known Penticton panhandler has been postponed for two more weeks. 

Paul Varga, the lawyer defending Paul Braun said the City of Penticton hasn’t disclosed all the evidence against his client.

“I’d love to deal with the arraignment hearing right now but we don’t have all the information yet. The city’s got a huge file against Mr. Braun and we want all of it.”

Paul Braun has received eight tickets from bylaw officers last year for obstructing a breezeway in Penticton's downtown.

Varga alleged that the city’s bylaw department was writing those tickets against Braun before they actually visited him at the breezeway.

"That’s a bit troubling if that’s actually the case. So I want to see that (evidence) first, before we actually rush Mr. Braun, forcing him to make a plea that he may or may not want to make, before we’ve seen all the evidence against him."

The City of Penticton’s lawyer Troy DeSouza argued there has been substantial time for disclosure of evidence to Braun and his lawyer.

He said documents were provided to Braun directly on November 20th and letters were delivered to his lawyer more than a week ago.

"In our view… certainly all the evidence that is there has been provided to Mr. Varga."

The arraignment will take place on Jan. 25, where Braun is expected to plea either guilty or not guilty for his infractions.

DeSouza said he thinks the City has made it clear what they are asking from Braun.

“It's not about panhandling, it's not about homelessness... We’re not here seeking money, we’re just seeking compliance that’s applied, and applicable, to every person in the community.”

For Varga, however, he feels the City may have waged an unfair battle against his client.

"I've seen him just struggle with life, and right now we've got a situation where the municipal government is spending a whole lot of resources against Mr. Braun, and he has no resources of his own to fight back with."