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COVID-19 IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE –
“We need to recognize that the criminal justice system has been tasked to solve all of society’s ills, including mental illness, drug addiction, family breakdown, joblessness, and spontaneous violence as well as the terrible crimes committed by the few.” This has to stop.
At the height of the pandemic, Boris Bytensky helped mobilize an army of defence lawyers to reduce the prison population. We are all proud of Boris, his dedication and his leadership.
Ontario’s plan to build new prisons is wrongheaded – Michael Spratt has, as usual, hit the nail on the head. Ontario is not listening to the sounds of change.
Boy with autism, 13, shot several times by police after mom calls for help in Salt Lake City- Is the lesson here that if you need help do NOT call the police?
“A (BIG) step to decriminalize drug possession.” – This is effectively a defund the police move, but with police approval.
THE WAR ON DRUGS was a very bad idea. “Society is finally coming to realize that the heavy-handed approach of the criminal-legal system is ineffective and built off racist and colonial ideologies—and that we can imagine better alternatives.”
LEGAL PSYLOCIBIN – for medical use.
For the first time since 1974 magic mushrooms have been granted an exemption upon the belief that the exemption is needed for a medical or scientific purpose or is in the public interest. Studies are being conducted about psilocybin’s potential therapeutic benefits for treating anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and problematic drug use.
BIG NEWS! – Possession of controlled substances for personal use is effectively decriminalized. Not completely, but this is a hugely progressive and informed social step supported by police and health care professionals. Now Parliament has to step up.
EXCELLENT ADVICE TO A YOUNG LAWYER
1. You Do Not Know Anything. 2. You Know More Than You Think. 3. It is Okay to Feel Nervous. 4. Never Answer a Question Immediately. 5. Get a Life. 6. Find Your Best-Before Date. 7. Be Kind. 8. Stay Open to New Things. 9. Speak the Truth. 10. Enjoy Yourself.
https://supremeadvocacy.ca/2020/07/29/what-i-learned-as-a-lawyer/