The ReeveLaw Blog – Page 64 – Criminal Defence Law Blog

PRISON MANAGEMENT AND PRISONER RELEASE

In Canada, 1,000 inmates in the state of Ontario were released last week and lawyers are working with prosecutors to free many more from provincial jails by accelerating bail hearings, among other steps.

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/03/25/world/americas/25reuters-health-coronavirus-prisoners-released.html

There are silver linings.

Bill Trudell https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion/love-in-the-time-of-corona/328045

A PHYSICAL or VIRTUAL COURT? – The accused is entitled and required to be in court during the trial. Perhaps we have to redefine our definition of “court”.

COVID-19 court closures forcing long-overdue use of technology, say lawyers

https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/criminal/covid-19-court-closures-forcing-long-overdue-use-of-technology-say-lawyers/328034?utm_source=GA&utm_medium=20200327&utm_campaign=Newsletter-20200327&utm_content=60340243-7A36-40AE-831C-5923AFD1310D&tu=60340243-7A36-40AE-831C-5923AFD1310D

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY

https://abovethelaw.com/2020/03/the-bionic-legal-system-we-can-rebuild-it-we-have-the-technology/?utm_campaign=ATL%20Weekly&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=85176234&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9lBH9_uhEpHXP1wY5afpjd7sVZ-M0yXrCWN6-vKlvx1vWeMS03rv8-0hCR0zY6swbU-5635dOGt9rr5G0TWQBwQjmxFg&_hsmi=85176234&rf=1

Lawyers, Legal and Justice System Professional services are essential businesses.

(Just like the LCBO. And the OCS.)

SPECIFIC AUTOMATIC ADJOURNMENT DATES FOR OUT OF CUSTODY CRIMINAL MATTERS – March 16 to April 3, 2020

https://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/general-public/list-of-adjournment-dates-for-criminal-matters

R.I.P. EDWARD SAPIANO – He was a light that burned very bright.

https://www-thestar-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.thestar.com/amp/news/gta/2020/03/22/this-city-will-never-see-another-advocate-or-man-like-him-prominent-defence-lawyer-edward-sapiano-dead-at-57.html

ONTARIO EMERGENCY DECLARATION March 20, 2020

All limitation periods are suspended. This will include limitations in drinking and driving cases.

https://www.oba.org/getmedia/31b388c7-2b5b-4193-b338-52d573c0c2aa/EMCPA-Order-eng-fr

RESISTANCE TO CHANGE IS NOT HELPFUL

We should have had remote appearance options years ago. With the right leadership, this will lift the court out of the dark ages.

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/mandel-mutiny-in-the-ontario-court-of-justice

COVID-19 CRIMINAL COURT UPDATE – March 20,2020

This includes the automatic adjournment dates.