Author archives: Dennis Reeve

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN – “The government’s depletion and degradation of the criminal justice system is the reason that it is in the state that it is.” “The young criminal bar keep the system working. But you can’t make them do a job that they cannot afford to do.” “Barristers in their first three years, who are self-employed, can take home little more than £12,000 (US$14,203) a year, according to the Criminal Bar Association.”

HOW MUCH INFORMATION DOES A SEARCH WARRANT CONTAIN? Not much. Police obtain a search warrant by filing an affidavit to obtain that warrant. In that affidavit is documented in great detail all of the investigative steps and evidence to establish reasonable grounds to believe that specific offences have been committed and that further evidence will be found at the location of the search. The affidavit is the document with the whole story. The warrant itself is the order authorizing the police to conduct the search. No further information is provided on the warrant.

JAIL SENTENCE CREDIT – A sentence of incarceration is to be reduced by crediting 1) 1.5 to 1 for every day of pre-trial custody (to compensate for the loss of statutory remission) and may be reduced by 2) an undetermined credit for onerous and harsh jail conditions (Duncan credit) and 3) an undetermined credit for restrictive judicial release conditions (Downes credit). Of the remaining balance, statutory remission is granted after 2/3 is served.