https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/drunk-driving-twice-quebec-breathalyzer-for-life-1.5369145
THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL has done an excellent job and completely transformed Ontario’s judiciary resulting in diverse and highly qualified appointments. Now Doug Ford and Doug Downey “would reinstate a discredited process that hearkens back to a time when judicial appointments were handed out like loyalty prizes to cronies and ideological fellow travellers.” Thank you for speaking up and raising awareness, Michael Lacy.
Any notion that this plan would result in a pool of better or more-diverse judges is flat-out delusional. The conceit that a politician’s wisdom can supplant that of a diverse, highly experienced committee of judges, lawyers and public representatives is counterintuitive. The current system is already guaranteed to produce a list of top jurists.
Source: Ontario’s judicial integrity at risk with Doug Ford, Doug Downey scheme | The Star
Ontario’s attorney general says the government could change the way judges and justices of the peace are appointed. I have not heard a call for change and having personally participated in the process more than once I am not aware of a problem. With a history of questionable non-judicial appointments, one has to wonder why Premier Ford is making this an issue.
Ontario’s attorney general says the government could change the way judges and justices of the peace are appointed.
Source: Ontario government considers changes to judicial appointments process, AG says
Congratulations to JOHN STRUTHERS, the rest of the Executive and Directors of CLA, an important voice of criminal lawyers.
CLA elects Daniel Brown, John Hale, and Adam Weisberg as vice presidents, and Cassandra DeMelo as women’s vice president
Source: John Struthers named president of Criminal Lawyers’ Association
A FOLLOW-UP ON PHONE SCAMS – Now if they could only arrest the “duct cleaners”.
BE AWARE OF THE LATEST PHONE SCAMS – Police say phone scam callers now have OPP as call display
JUDGES JUST WANNA HAVE FUN! – An interesting story.
The Indiana Supreme Court found that the three had “gravely undermined public trust.” The fight apparently started when one of the judges raised a middle finger at two men yelling from a passing SUV.
Source: 3 Indiana Judges Suspended After White Castle Brawl That Left 2 Of Them Wounded
WHY DO WE WEAR GOWNS IN COURT? – “The centuries-old tradition of gowning in court is overdue for a modernization.” Yes, it is tradition but the Canadian Bar Association is advocating for exceptions such as pregnancy or other personal circumstances, such as medical conditions or disabilities. I ask why we, now well into the 21st century, continue to wear gowns at all.
pregnancy or other personal circumstances, such as medical conditions or disabilities.
Source: Canadian Bar Association – Women Lawyers Forum advocates reform to gowning policy in courts
DOES THE “JORDAN” CEILING OF 18 MONTHS APPLY TO YOUTHS? – In R. v. Jordan the S.C.C. protected the constitutional right to trial within a reasonable time by setting a presumptive ceiling of 18 months in Ontario Court proceedings. The court decided that the same ceiling applies to youth justice court proceedings. The clock runs at the same rate for youths. At least for now.
Source: R. v. K.J.M. – SCC Cases (Lexum)
PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES – Do we have them or not? Does an accused person have the right to participate in the selection of the jury that is going to try him? Nobody knows. It makes it extremely difficult to pick a jury. This is an excellent example of how hard cases make bad law.
An Ontario Superior Court ruling found disallowing peremptory challenges would violate Charter rights
Source: Lawyers wrestle with conflicting views on peremptory challenges