SUSPENDED POLICE OFFICER COLLECTS $1 MILLION+ – Yet another reason why the entire concept of policing has to be re-evaluated.
“Supreme Court chief justice suggests Criminal Code changes to cut into court backlogs.”
Significant changes are absolutely necessary however efficiency and expediency have never been a factor sufficient to justify the truncation of rights or processes in the solemn search for the truth. A backlog does not justify short cuts.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-chief-justice-reopening-proposals-1.5604773
Since peremptory challenges to a jury panel have been eliminated it looks like we are going to move more towards the U.S. model of examining and screening each and every prospective juror.
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2020/06/15/asking-prospective-jurors-are-you-racist-doesnt-cut-it-when-trying-to-detect-bias-in-the-courtroom-experts-say/na_juror_bias16.jpg)
ALBERTA DECRIMINALIZES FIRST TIME IMPAIRED DRIVERS
It is a controversial move that has its problems. It streamlines the process by removing the case from the courts (meaning that there is no opportunity to provide a defence) by authorizing a police officer to determine impairment, to conclude guilt and impose penalties. (i.e. judge, jury and executioner?)
Give them power and they will use it. Why? Because they can.
DEFUNDING THE POLICE – It’s worth learning what it means before rejecting the concept.
WRONGFUL ARRESTS
“I always tell my clients, when they’re charged with a criminal offence, win or lose, you always lose,” says Charney. “If you’re arrested, and not convicted, you are still punished through the arrest, and the night in jail, and then having to find a lawyer, and being put through that ringer.”
SIGNAL FOR HELP – This signal should be adopted universally.
REMOTE or IN PERSON TRIALS?
This is one of the issues that have to be sorted out when the courts resume operation. Fortunately, we have the strength of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and the leadership of John Struthers to help us through.
