Every year across Canada lawyers are required to pay practice fees to their respective law society in order to allow them to practice the law. A lot of lawyers pay these fee without thinking too much about it, so I thought I would take a closer look. In 2016, lawyers […]
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In Canada, the police have the authority to detain and arrest individuals under the Criminal Code of Canada and common law. While a warrant issued by a Justice of the Peace or Judge is typically required for an arrest, there are certain situations where the police can make an arrest […]
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Sometimes in our law courts, accused individuals enter guilty pleas then later wish to have the guilty plea withdrawn. A guilty plea is a formal admission of guilt. When an accused enters a guilty plea they are waiving their right to require the Crown to prove the offence beyond a […]
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Having a criminal record can feel like being a chained prisoner, with lasting impacts on employment and travel opportunities. However, in Canada, individuals who have demonstrated themselves to be law-abiding citizens can apply for a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon, which sets aside their criminal record from the […]
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For a quick overview, just watch the video. We got you covered! A police officer power to pull over a motor vehicle is derived from the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and the common law. The HTA allows police officers acting in the lawful execution of their duty to require the […]
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The youth criminal justice system operates differently from the adult criminal justice system, recognizing the reduced maturity of young offenders. Rehabilitation and privacy protection are key principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which aims to provide enhanced procedural safeguards for youth. One important aspect of youth criminal records is […]
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If you’ve watched popular TV shows like The Wire or Breaking Bad, you may have an idea of what drug trafficking entails. However, Canadian law has its own definition of drug trafficking, which encompasses more than just selling drugs for profit. According to Section 2(1) of The Controlled Drugs and […]
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All impaired driving offences in Canada have mandatory minimum sentences. The minimum sentence will depend on the nature of the offence, and the offender’s prior record for impaired driving offences. For a first offence, the fine varies depending on blood alcohol concentration. For a first time offender with a blood […]
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Every offence in the Criminal Code of Canada will fall under three categories: summary conviction offences, indictable offences, and offences in which the Crown Attorney chooses to proceed by summary conviction or indictment. Summary conviction offences are of a less serious nature than indictable offences. Summary Conviction Offences There are […]
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During the course of an investigation, the police have the right to take your fingerprints and photograph. Often the police will ask you questions about your physical appearance such as your height, weight, hair colour, eye colour, scars, tattoos, and other biographical information. If you have ever been charged with […]
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