“Tough Crimes demonstrates that Crown prosecutors and criminal defence lawyers do not escape unscathed from serious trials. The disturbing memories remain.” Honourable John C. Major, C.C., Q.C. Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. For anyone truly interested in justice and our criminal justice system, I highly recommend reading “Touch Crimes: True Cases by Top Canadian Criminal Lawyers” to find out what it’s really like.
GOING TO TRIAL? YOU NEED AN EXPERT
“Historically the official stakeholders in the criminal justice system, politicians, judiciary, bench, bar and law enforcement agencies, have taken great pride in the near-certain infallibility of the adversarial system of criminal justice. Today the rising tide of post-conviction DNA exonerations has shed a harsh and unflattering light on the staples of classic investigative tools and trial evidence: investigative and prosecutorial tunnel vision, eye-witness fallibility, hair and fibre junk science, opportunistic jailhouse informants, self-induced and other induced false confessions and disclosure failures. These classic tools, alone and in combination, have been the cause of numerous wrongful convictions.” Richard Wolson “Tough Crimes”
FOLLOW UP – Should lawyers deliver clothes to clients?
“Little” enforcement of Canada’s new prostitution laws, says lawyer | Georgia Straight
When the government makes stupid laws, everyone pretty much ignores them. To the police “the business of sex between consenting adults is not an enforcement priority.” Nobody wants to go through the trouble and expense of years of court cases to be told what we already know – it’s an unconstitutional law. Thanks a lot, Harper.
“Little” enforcement of Canada’s new prostitution laws, says lawyer | Georgia Straight.
PLANNING TO REPRESENT YOURSELF? YOU NEED TO LEARN THESE BASIC SKILLS.
Why Are Lawyers So Expensive? I’ll Tell You Why
HEAPING INSULT UPON INSULT
When Peel Regional Police issued their special media statement “clarifying” the circumstances of the arrest they either 1) failed to properly investigate the circumstances before speaking or 2) deliberately lied to protect their own. There should be consequences.
Peel police now say lawyer was handcuffed in court attire – Toronto – CBC News.
DURHAM POLICE INVESTIGATIVE TUNNEL VISION
Shades of Christine Jessop and Guy Paul Morin! Even though police had the evidence exonerating him, he spent 10 months in jail, now has a record of a murder charge on a vulnerable sector search and the real murderer is still at large. It took his lawyer to force them to see.
Exclusive: How a pacemaker proved accused killer’s innocence | Toronto Star.
SOLICITOR-CLIENT PRIVILEGE UPHELD
The important things about this case are two-fold. 1. Lawyers will not be forced to become agents of the state and 2. The privilege of confidential communication between a client and his/her lawyer will not be breached without due process. Therefore you can still speak openly and honestly with your lawyer.
Supreme Court Exempts Lawyers From Part Of Money-Laundering Law.
Peel cop convicted in insurance scam | Toronto Star
Yet another blight upon the integrity of Peel Regional Police. And you don’t see them leading this guy out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
