Defence lawyers ensure that the rights of accused persons are protected throughout the criminal process. Once a defence lawyer is hired by an accused person, there are a number of steps which a defence lawyer would typically go through in representing their clients.
With the new rules for impaired driving, there are important changes to note for those who may have a previous conviction for impaired driving, or who end up with multiple instances of impaired driving under the new provincial system.
New rules for impaired driving, also known as “DUIs”, came into effect in Alberta on December 1, 2020.There are important changes to note for a first-time impaired offender.
Distrust in the police among certain racialized groups is not unusual or uncommon. Police and RCMP in Canada have a history of poor police practices, notably in relation to Indigenous, black Canadians, and other people of colour. One such practice is what is known as “carding”.
The provincial government recently announced new rules and changes to the police practice of street checks. Street checks occur when police stop someone for a specific reason and question them about that reason.
Ensure that you choose effective legal representation. In the case of R v Sauverwald, 2020 ABCA 388, the Court considered whether or not the trial counsel’s assistance to the client was ineffective.
Upon appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal instead ordered a new trial on the basis that the trial judge did not consider evidence of the complainant’s suggestibility (among other secondary issues).
It is not uncommon for Canada Border Services Agency to search electronic devices when travelling across the border. The law aside, the practice is an extreme violation of one’s right to privacy.
Oftentimes the police attempt to have accused persons incriminate themselves by giving them statements, which may be considered as confessions.