LEGISLATIVE REFORM OF CANADA’S SENTENCING LAWS IS OVERDUE. THE TIME IS NOW

“True, some of these growing disparities are largely rooted in the previous Harper government’s failed “tough on crime” policies. But that doesn’t let the Trudeau Liberals off the hook for failing to halt the spreading stain of shame by reversing these policies. It is well known that mandatory minimum sentences disproportionately impact racialized groups. The …

“The province is also “establishing an experienced team of prosecutors to conduct an intensive case review and resolution blitz of targeted offences from region to region” and “an updated COVID-19 Recovery Directive for prosecutors to help address the growing backlog of criminal cases and focus resources where they are needed most — the prosecution of serious cases such as murder, sexual assault & gun-related offences. – We shall see what it means.

Province is ‘directly messing with our ability to defend clients’: lawyers protest new Legal Aid ‘guilty plea certificates’

Think about it. The Province owns and administers the court buildings. The Province pays the Judges. The Province pays the Crown Attorneys. The Province funds Legal Aid Ontario. The Province has a huge backlog of criminal cases. A Judge does not have the power to compel the Crown to withdraw any charge, so the Province …