Government amendments to sex offender registry fall short
Proposed legislation introduced by the Liberal government at the end of April addresses changes to the National Sex Offender Registry.
A ‘consistent’ definition of an assault-style weapon would benefit everyone
The federal government “wants to abandon its approach of spelling out each make and variety of banned firearm in lengthy lists” and instead provide a “clear, consistent” definition of assault-style firearms to be prohibited, according to a recent news report.
If you are accused of a crime, the best advice may be not to testify
When preparing a client for a criminal trial I always stress that the burden of proof lies with the Crown attorney. To win a conviction, the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused has committed a crime.
How a sentence is determined
After an accused is convicted, the judge’s next task is to arrive at an appropriate sentence. This is a complex process since the circumstances surrounding offences are never the same and there are many factors the court must take into consideration.
Sexual Assault Cases often Hinge on Social Media Messages
The testimony of the complainant and the accused was once the key evidence in many sexual assault cases, with the court left to decide who was telling the truth.
What You Say Online Can Come Back to Haunt You
Social media has transformed the way people communicate with each other. Young people in particular rely on text messages or platforms such as Snapchat to communicate because it is so easy.
The Questionable Use of Deterrence in Sentencing
When deciding on a sentence following a conviction, the judge must consider s.718 of the Criminal Code.
You have the right to self-defence, within reasonable limits
A home invasion in Halifax late last year provides a good example of what is permissible under Canada’s self-defence laws.
Sex work remains a difficult issue for Canadians
When it comes to legal issues surrounding sex work in Canada, there are no easy answers.
