R. v. KJM : Balancing Public Policy and Charter Rights
Section 11(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees every Canadian the right to be tried in a reasonable time. In 2016, this so-called “reasonable time” was given an 18 to 30 month ceiling in R v. Jordan , a case in which section 11(b) was invoked. Any trial expected to exceed the ceiling established in Jordan could therefore be considered unreasonable and, in turn, a violation of section 11(b).
The Me Too Movement & The Evolving Interpretation of ‘Consent’
The 21st century has seen major steps forward in addressing sexual violence against women. For example, in 2006 the Me Too Movement swept across the world, infiltrating every social media platform and exposing the darkest corners of Hollywood, professional sports, and even the US Congress. While not an exhaustive list, these fields contained some of the most notorious instances of sexual harrasment and violence against women.
Buried by Bail
A recent Manitoba Court decision sheds light on the bail system in northern Manitoba. It is not a pretty picture. At best you could view the situation at hand as the result of limited resources, issues regarding accessibility in isolated northern communities, and procedural disfunction. At its worst, it is the systematic reduction of human rights.
Case Summary: R v Weldekidan
The case of R v Weldekidan deals with a number of important issues related to criminal law, for example the admissibility of victim statements procured during a vulnerable state. The trial judge refused to allow the evidence because she believed that the reliability of the statements was suspect, mainly due to the fact that the statements had been procured in hospital, while the victims were highly medicated.
