Blog
As part of our mission to keep you informed of your legal rights, we have created this blog to cover a wide range of topics and useful information regarding criminal defence. Be sure to check back regularly for our latest entries.
Defences and Life Circumstances
Although there are exceptions, every crime includes at least three parts: a criminal act, criminal intent, and the coexistence of the two. There are criminal acts where the predetermined intent did not exist or cannot [...]
What are the Court Procedures for Criminal Cases?
Court Procedures for Criminal Cases If you or someone you know thinks they have committed a crime, this information will help to understand exactly how crimes are classified and handled by the courts. The primary [...]
Petty Theft vs Grand Larceny
What are the differences? Petty theft and grand larceny are basically the same offences. Both are defined as the unlawful taking and carrying away of the personal property of another person without their consent. The [...]
Vehicular Manslaughter & Homicide
Vehicular accidents are horrifying enough without adding injury or death to the scene. Being responsible for injuring or killing someone while driving would have to be categorized as anyone’s worse nightmare. When either or both [...]
2019 Criminal Law Reform Update
Changes are finally coming for Canada’s criminal laws. In March 2018, the Liberals introduced drastic changes in legislation regarding white collar crimes, illegal drug sales, how trials are handled. C-75 is intended to amend the [...]
Important Legal Changes on the Horizon For Aboriginals
Face it, Canadian aboriginals continue to experience many constraints in their lives. Some are due to indigenous laws and cultural lifestyles, while others stem from deep-seated bias. In a report released in June 2018 by [...]
What to Do if You Are Charged with Abuse or Family Violence
The Family Violence Initiative has been around since 1988 and counts on 15 departments and government agencies to tackle the overwhelming incidence of family violence. This initiative is marshalled by the Public Health Agency of [...]
When is Assault Defendable?
It is important to understand that Canadian law delineates between three levels of assault: Common assault, which is the least serious, involves pushing, slapping, punching, and verbal threats (level 1). Assault with a weapon or [...]
What Privacy Rights Do I Have on My Electronic Devices?
In the recent past, Canada’s privacy laws offered little personal protection even though the increasing use of smart devices posed a serious threat to citizens. The privacy laws were limited and very old, as many [...]
BCCLA Fights for Expansion of Medically Assisted Dying Law
In 2016 Bill C-14 was passed by the Parliament of Canada, which amended the Canadian Criminal Code to legalize both medically assisted dying and assisted suicide laws in Canada. Formally termed “physician-administered euthanasia” (PAE) and [...]
Supreme Court Finds Prisoner Risk Assessment Tests Biased
When an inmate is first placed in the custody of Correctional Service Canada (CSC) a full intake assessment is used to review the information provided by the police and the courts. The assessment also includes [...]
Legal Self-Defence: The Odds Are in Your Favour
The definition of self-defence is when a person uses force or a weapon to protect one’s body and one’s property from harm. Contrary to popular belief, the Criminal Code of Canada approves of self-defence and [...]
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