Criminal
-
July 18, 2025
Dangerous driving case illustrates how court of law eclipses court of public opinion
What’s the difference between a court of law and the court of public opinion? Public opinion focuses on the status of the offender and the victim, whereas trial and appeal courts look to the correct application of the law. An interesting example is the decision in R. v. Lojovic, 2025 ONCA 319. The background of the parties was not discussed in the judgment, but played a significant role in the press coverage.
-
July 17, 2025
Manitoba further expands electronic monitoring program
Manitoba is again expanding its electronic monitoring program in an effort to keep better track of those out on bail. According to a July 17 news release, the province is investing an additional $1.2 million into the program this year, and adding up to 100 more ankle monitors “to track offenders released on bail.”
-
July 17, 2025
Wide-open-door policy ‘is not how we roll,’ Federal Court of Appeal judge tells would-be interveners
The Federal Court of Appeal’s senior puisne judge says those applying to intervene at the national intermediate appellate court should ask themselves whether their presence “will advance our work.”
-
July 17, 2025
DEFENCES - Intoxication - Provocation
Appeal by Saunders from conviction for second-degree murder. Saunders maintained that he should have been convicted of manslaughter.
-
July 17, 2025
Teen language, a.k.a. sociolect, plays key role in Alberta Court of Appeal decision
A sociolect is a form of language used by a specific social group, such as teenagers. Teenagers often create and adopt slang or code words to establish their identity and distinguish themselves from adults or authority figures. The Alberta Court of Appeal was asked to interpret a sociolect used in a courtroom before a jury in its recent decision in R. v. Cervantes, [2025] A.J. No. 522, when Enrike Jose Cervantes and Chngkouth John Makuag challenged their sexual assault convictions.
-
July 16, 2025
N.S. renews funding deal with feds to help families of missing, murdered Indigenous people
Nova Scotia has renewed a partnership with the federal government ensuring “more families of missing and murdered Indigenous people” receive support.
-
July 16, 2025
SENTENCING - Sexual offences, public morals, disorderly conduct and nuisances - Totality principle - Sexual offences against children
Appeal by accused Schofield against his eight-year sentence for three child sexual offences.
-
July 16, 2025
Was Correctional Service’s internal investigation into Robert Pickton’s death a ‘whitewash’?
Rather than quelling concerns about how Robert Pickton died at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, Correctional Service Canada’s recently released internal Board of Investigation (BOI) report summary should raise red flags. The narrow focus of the investigation and the recommendations that fail to address core issues associated with the death make the report inadequate.
-
July 16, 2025
View from inside prison: Opening the box
I’m not a person who is hugely attached to things. I have no trouble throwing out or giving away old clothes or furniture or even books. But I do tend to hang on to reminders of my past life, such as letters and pictures.
-
July 16, 2025
Prepare for change: The plain language legal writing standard is coming
What lawyer has not heard that legal writing should be clear and concise? Everyone wants legal documents to be straightforward, client-oriented and “crisp.” Yet, cryptic memoranda, wordy submissions, legalese-filled judgments and insurmountable walls of text in contracts and policies remain common. Even with clarity in mind, writing clearly is hard without knowing the rules to guide the process.