Criminal Defence Law Blog
WAR ON DRUGS 2.0 – Not surpisingly, the Trump administration has turned around and walking backwards. “Sessions, a former federal prosecutor, is one of a handful of hard-line Republicans who still supports the use of mandatory minimums and opposes criminal justice reform.”
Source: Jeff Sessions launches War on Drugs 2.0 with new mandatory-minimum policy – VICE News
PROPOSED DRIVING LAW CHANGES – If passed police will be able to pull you over for no particular reason and demand you provide a breath or saliva sample without cause. Also you will have to stay sober for 2 hours after driving. If you become impaired or over 80 within 2 hours of driving police can arrest you and charge you with impaired/over 80 driving.
Proposed changes to Canada’s impaired driving laws didn’t get much attention when introduced the same day as the Trudeau government unveiled its plan to legalize marijuana, but defence lawyers and legal experts say the changes would violate our constitutional rights.
BACKPAGE – “The Senate report cites the National Association of Attorneys General in describing Backpage as a “hub” of human trafficking, “especially the trafficking of minors. Among the descriptions: “Fresh,” “Young,” “New in town,” “Just off the plane,” “Available 24/7,” “Barely legal,” “Looks underage,” “Hot young angel – do whatever u want.” Not only do you know it but the police do also. “Nuff said.
The Dallas-based classifieds site is no longer displaying adult-services ads in the U.S., but ads that anti-trafficking groups say facilitate criminal activity are still being uploaded in Canada
Source: Backpage faces pressure to crack down on human trafficking ads in Canada – The Globe and Mail
ANOTHER SCANDAL AT SICK KIDS – One has to appreciate “the dangers of untrained experts performing a forensic service.” When a respected institution presents “evidence” the presumption of regularity is strong and difficult to overcome. When the science is wrong people pay a very destructive and devastating human price … again.
If you’re considering going to court on your own and plan on representing yourself, this article will give you some idea of the convoluted and complex world you’re stepping into…..whether it’s family or criminal.
It seems to me that whenever we talk about litigants without counsel, the conversation inevitably veers toward the delays, costs and other inconveniences such litigants impose on court and counsel, and the sort of public legal education that might be
Source: Burning Down (or perhaps just lightly scorching) the house – Slaw
It’s a problem of arbitrariness, uncertainty and confusion. Finally we will have some restrictions of what can be disclosed in each type of background check, which are explained in this article.
Source: Ontario clamps down on what police can reveal in background checks | Toronto Star
DIGITAL EVIDENCE – We all leave digital trails of information we may not even be aware of. In this case his wife’s fitbit and his computer put the lie to his story.
HOW MUCH DELAY IS TOO MUCH? – Although the S.C.C. has set out pretty clear timelines of 18 months (lower court) and 30 months (higher court) the application is far from clear. It gets complicated. Trial and appeal courts are struggling to interpret it and the government is now asking the S.C.C. to change the limits.
Supreme Court hearing for accused trafficker James Cody plays stage to appeal for consideration of slow-moving process
Source: Supreme Court drug case prompts appeal for tolerance of judicial delays – The Globe and Mail
Let’s be clear that there never were any underage girls involved. Police placed ads pretending to be an adult female prostitute. Once contact was made the police officer pretended he was younger than 18. Most of those charged were not specifically looking for an underage prostitute. That’s why it’s called a “sting”. What confuses the issue is that the age of consent is 16 unless you’re a prostitute then you cannot consent until you’re 18.
Source: York police arrest 104 after officers pose as child sex workers | Toronto Star
