Are the courts open? As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts in Ontario closed early and completely to the public on March 16th, and only as of July 6…

Will COVID-19 affect my criminal case in Ontario? Yes; the closure of the courts in Ontario since mid-March continues to impact the criminal justice system. See below for more details about…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini Are judges imposing fewer jail sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic? While this public health crisis is still fairly new, the answer so far…

Blog by Cassy Beaulac and Arun S. Maini If you are charged with a criminal offense, the police have to decide what to do with you. They have three options: Release…

Blog by CassyBeaulac and Arun S. Maini There are many ways to deal with crime and criminal behavior in modern society. Most involve two parties: the state and the defendant. The…

Blog by Arun S. Maini This blog seeks to answer the following questions: Why are youths treated differently than adults in the criminal justice system? How are youths treated differently than…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini Youths (aged 12-17) charged with criminal offences are treated differently from adults by the criminal justice system. (We discussed why and how this…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini What is “Direct Accountability”? What is “Diversion”? Diversion, sometimes referred to as “Direct Accountability”, is a means by which a defendant in a…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini Recently, a man was arrested by Belleville police for transportation fraud. The arrest followed one day after the man was alleged to have…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini To read part 1 of this series, please click here. What is the cost of justice? Of preserving fundamental rights, like the presumption…

Blog by Cassandra Beaulac and Arun S. Maini You are facing trial on a criminal charge. Can you be forced to testify? Should you testify? Can I Be Forced to Testify?…

Many of the cases before the criminal courts at any given time are charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (“CDSA”). The CDSA creates four types of offences involving drugs:…