What police forces enter on CPIC and reveal to American customs officers and on PRCs to employers has and continues to cause a lot of problems. “Some police routinely disclose non-conviction information (e.g. acquittals and withdrawn charges) and non-criminal information (e.g. mental health incidents). These disclosures can unfairly affect an individual’s employment and volunteer opportunities.” See what the Information and Privacy Commissioner (pages 8-10) has to say. A court challenge is pending and our Premier has promised to address this issue with legislation – the sooner the better.
Defense Attorney Parking Only
SWATTING – a novel and dangerous crime.
It’s no joke.
LIE DETECTOR TESTS ARE JUNK SCIENCE
Let’s be clear: they are not admissible as evidence in Canadian courts. Here’s one reason: “Cop Faces Up To 100 Years For Training Customers To Lie During Polygraph Exams!”
Sou
rce: Courthouse News Service
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU FIND A DOG IN A HOT CAR?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/07/10/ottawa-walmart-hot-cars-vehicles-dogs-animals-worker-fired-cheney-parking-lot-customer.html?cmp=rss
Apparently you can get fired for reporting it. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/wal-mart-employee-fired-after-reporting-dog-in-hot-truck-1.1347231?cmp=rss
Source: The Barrister Brief: Animal Law: What to Do If You Witness a Dog (or Other Animal) in a Hot Car
MANDATORY FINES
Harper has imposed a mandatory fine upon every single criminal conviction in addition to whatever other penalty is imposed, no matter what the circumstances. This may be okay if you’re financially well off but for this defendant “who had addiction issues, was homeless and lived on $250 per month in social assistance”, it was a problem. Justice “Glass, who earns $308,000 annually as a Superior Court judge” doesn’t think so. We, the members of the Criminal Lawyers Association don’t agree. This is why we’re joining the appeal.
Source: Victim surcharges ‘entrench cyle of poverty’: lawyer
Case thrown out due to duty counsel’s rudeness
ONE PERSON’S EXPERIENCE WITH DUTY COUNSEL – If you are arrested and want to exercise your right to get legal advice but don’t know a lawyer then you can speak with duty counsel for free. Legal Aid contracts out the service to the Sykes Corp. who hires lawyer(s) to answer the phone and provide this service. This lawyer was “the ONLY duty counsel available in Ontario” when this person was arrested. You can read about the level of service she was given.
I’ve got a criminal record. How can I get a job? – The Globe and Mail
For those who think they won’t be able to get a job if they have a criminal record, it’s not true. Here are a couple of good practical answers.
Every job these days seems to require a criminal background check
Source: I’ve got a criminal record. How can I get a job? – The Globe and Mail
THE REALITIES OF BEING A SOLE PRACTITIONER
Why didn’t anyone tell you about the sleepless nights that sometimes go along with small-firm practice? Here’s more information you should have before hanging a shingle.
Source: The ‘Bloody Nipples’ Of SmallLaw, Or What They Didn’t Tell Me | Above the Law
YORK POLICE BREAK THE LAWS THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD
Unfortunately this is still a common tactic employed by York Regional Police drug squad officers – get a uniform cop to make a bogus traffic stop for the purpose of searching the car for drugs. In this case they searched the guy, searched his car, 6 cops assaulted him to the point of breaking his ribs and then in an attempt to cover up, charged him with assaulting police. You think this stuff happens elsewhere? It’s happening right here … in our home … to people like you and me.
Blistering ruling tossing out three charges involving ketamine sends a message to police about Charter rights, observers say.
Source: Drug case dropped after judge finds York cops lied to search man’s car | Toronto Star