#edmonton criminal lawyers

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Experienced Criminal Lawyer in Alberta Offering Strategic Defence | Martin G. Schulz & Associates

When you’re backed into a corner by a criminal charge, remember that there is help and a path forward. Martin G. Schulz and our associates in Calgary have assembled an elite, experienced, and highly skilled team of criminal lawyers to defend you when charged with a criminal offence within our service area. The right criminal lawyer for your defense can change everything. Hiring a criminal lawyer in Calgary who is uniquely familiar with local laws in the region can clear that path for you, and make all the difference in your case. It’s crucial for you to seek advice and representation from a Calgary-based criminal lawyer as soon as possible.

[dorothyjenks]

Edmonton Criminal Defense Law Firm

[allthecanadianpolitics]

A lawyer representing grieving family members of a 28-year-old Edmonton man who was fatally shot by a police officer nearly two weeks ago says they are angry and gathering information about what happened. Tom Engel, a criminal defence and civil rights lawyer and frequent critic of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), said the family wants to know why a police officer shot Mathios Arkangelo while he was holding his hands in the air. "There's absolutely no justification for using lethal force," he told CBC News in an interview on Thursday. The province's police watchdog, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), is investigating the shooting, which occurred in daylight on June 29 on a residential street in the Fraser neighbourhood in northeast Edmonton.  Others are also scrutinizing the circumstances around the death of Arkangelo, who was Black.

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Tagging: @newsfromstolenland, @abpoli

[terriwriting]

It has been well documented that Edmonton criminal defence lawyer Tom Engel has been targeted by individual Edmonton police officers in the past because of his persistent public criticism of the police service.

Now Engel says his social media posts are being formally monitored by the Edmonton Police Service. And he believes the same is happening to posts and public comments of other police critics.

Through a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy request, Engel obtained internal EPS documents that show Deputy Chief Kevin Brezinski, who is now Alberta’s ombudsman and public interest commissioner, ordered a special EPS unit to monitor Engel’s social media accounts after he released the names of officers who were involved in the shooting death of a civilian.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Should Habitual Criminals Be Caged For Life?" Star Weekly (Toronto). March 26, 1966. Pages 1 to 4. ---- A crime against criminals. That's what one MP called the law that can leave a man CAGED FOR LIFE ---- by PETER SYPNOWICH Star Weekly staff writer photographs by Chuck Diven --- "The mood and temper of the public with regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country."

-Winston Churchill, 1910

At 52, John Hadden might be called a burnt-out criminal, except he really Anever was much of a criminal. He went to prison at 16 and since then has spent most of his life in custody. Like most drug addicts, he has no violence on his record. As a youth in Edmonton he tried burglary a few times, but at 25 he began taking morphine and it soon finished him. In 1947, after six sentences for vagrancy and drug possession, he broke into a barber shop and stole two clippers, for which he served. three years. That was his last burglary. He kept getting penitentiary terms, as drug addicts do in this country, but when he moved to Vancouver in the early 1950s. he was just a petty shoplifter trying to sup port an addiction. In 1961, at the age of 48, he finally gave up morphine. Then came barbiturates, which he got on prescription because he suffered from severe leg ulcers. He received five light jail terms for shop- lifting over the next two years. Then, one afternoon in 1963, he pilfered a $2.98 can opener from Woolworth's, and fell victim to the ultimate incarceration.

John Hadden was prosecuted as an habitual criminal under Section 660 of the Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of in definite preventive detention. The underworld knows Section 660 as "the bitch," and nowhere is it more dreaded than in Vancouver, where city prosecutor Stewart McMorran has brought more habitual cases to court than all other prosecutors in Canada put together. Hadden was in Oakalla Prison, serving a seven-month sentence for stealing the can opener, when McMorran notified him he would be prosecuted under Section 660. On March 16, 1964, when Hadden had finished his prison term and was some- where at large, large, he was declared an habitual criminal and sentenced in absentia. Nine weeks later he was picked up in Edmon ton and taken to the B.C. Penitentiary. There, with scores of men like him. John Hadden will spend the rest of his life unless he is paroled.

Preventive detention is the harshest penalty in the Criminal Code, short of hanging, and it has been a source of continuing controversy. When Parliament passed the measure in 1947, one MP, Maurice Hartt of Montreal, called it "a crime against criminals." Toronto lawyer Arthur Maloney, president of the Canadian Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, says it is "inhuman and cruel," and when he was an MP in 1958 he urged its repeal on grounds that it was "alien to some of the most ancient and sacred principles of our criminal law." Last year, when McMorran's prosecutions began attracting national attention, MP David Orlikow of Winnipeg told Parliament: "I find it amazing that we have a crown prosecutor of this type in Canada in the year of 1965. I think he would have been more suitable a couple of hundred years ago. At the time of the Inquisition I can see him turning the screw or putting somebody on the rack. In the Middle Ages I can see him chopping off somebody's hand because he stole a loaf of bread." (To which McMorran replies, "Why should I be pilloried? I haven't committed any crimes.")

There does seem to be something wrong when tired old men like John Hadden, whom we've been locking up all their lives, are put into prison on a permanent basis. It smacks of the dungeon. The idea behind preventive detention, on of of course, is that if men are not reformed after successive prison terms they must be locked up indefinitely for the protection of society. But what if these men are not violent, dangerous criminals, what if they are cringing drug addicts and defeated old burglars who pose no threat to life or limb? If they are still pilfering and taking drugs after repeated imprisonment, perhaps there is something wrong with prisons. The fate of John Hadden, and others like him, raises some important questions about crime and punishment.

Stewart McMorran, prosecutor ever since he was called to the bar in 1946, thinks juvenile delinquents should be put to work scrubbing decks on a training ship off the B.C. coast. Otherwise, prisons are his answer to the crime problem - providing the inmates don't get too many luxuries. "We give them everything these days except booze and women," he says. "There should be a lot more hard discipline. Prison should be a place where they don't want to go. The only way men can be convinced that crime doesn't pay is through fear of continued incarceration.

McMorran says there has been a 2% per cent reduction in indictable crime in Vancouver since he won his first conviction under Section 660 in 1962. He concedes that his prosecutions may not have been responsible. There are real doubts as to whether the persistent offender is deter red; in one case the accused was let off with a warning-he was declared an habitual criminal but not committed to detention- and nine days later he was back in court for stealing a sweater (again being found an habitual criminal and again escaping committal). But if criminals cannot be deterred from committing crimes, they can be frightened away to commit them elsewhere or they can be locked up so they can't com mit them at all. And on this basis, McMorran is using Section 660 against every eligible offender. Up to the end of 1965 he had taken 106 cases to court, obtaining 60 preventive detention sentences an and 25 other convictions in which detention was not imposed. Elsewhere in Canada, habitual criminal cases average three a year, in Vancouver they now are going to court at the rate of one a week. "We're still in the posse stage out here," McMorran says.

Under Section 660, preventive detention "may" be imposed "if the court is of the opinion that because the accused is a habitual criminal it is expedient for the protection of the public." To be declared an habitual criminal, the accused must, prior to his latest conviction, have been convicted on three occasions since the age of 18 of offences punishable by five years or more. He must also be "leading persistently a criminal life." In McMorran's office hundreds of dossiers are maintained on people believed to be leading criminal lives. The evidence in one prosecution included these words uttered by the accused two years previously when checked by a policeman at 4 a.m. in an alley: "Hell, son, I've been in and out of jail all my life. I haven't had time to work."

Section 660 departs from traditional notions of justice in in several ways. The accused cannot be tried by a jury. It is not required that he be present for his hearing. He is imprisoned not only a second time. for offences of the past but also for of fences he might commit in the future. He is condemned with a label that he wears until the day he dies. Once sentenced, he need never again appear before a court; his fate is in the hands of officials to whom he is forever accountable even if released on parole. And finally, the law is unevenly enforced because prosecutions are made with the consent of provincial attorneys general.

Section 660 is based on a 1908 British law, the Prevention of Crime act (later incorporated in the Criminal Justice act), which, besides providing a maximum term of 14 years instead of indefinite detention, was aimed only at "dangerous criminals engaged in the more serious forms of crime." This law was copied by the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler but in Britain itself it was a dead letter by the 1930s. In 1938 its adoption in Canada was urged by a royal commission headed by Mr. Justice Joseph Archambault.

In 1947 the Mackenzie King government acted on the recommendation despite protests in Parliament. One opposition MP, Tommy Church of Toronto, pleaded on behalf of what he called "the victims of a vicious, half-baked penal system." MP John Diefenbaker had a similar argument, and also objected to the option accorded provincial attorneys-general.

Now, nearly 20 years after its enactment, when abolition of the British law has been recommended by a Home Office committee, when similar U.S. laws have been renounced by the American Law Institute in its model criminal code, Section 660 is being used in B.C. to clear the province of persistent offenders, by either incarcerating them or frightening them away. Attorney General Robert W. Bonner is quite candid about it. He compares it to the "floater," that dubious small-town tactic of charging unwelcome visitors with vagrancy and turning them loose on the understanding they will leave town. In Bonner's words: "It's like the vagrancy charge. People who are charged with vagrancy have a chance to appear or disappear."

Bonner thinks the other provinces should start wholesale prosecutions under Section 660, too, and he is reported to have urged this on his fellow attorneys-general at their crime conference in Ottawa last January. This could double our penitentiary population, for estimates of the number of eligible offenders range from 3,000 to 10,000. It would not, however, have much effect on serious crime.

"Section 660 doesn't get at the he really dangerous offender," says John Hogarth, research associate at the University of Toronto's Centre for Criminology. "It gets the nuisance type. Police are having problems with organized crime and the petty offender is being used as a scapegoat. Locking him up in a maximum security prison is a terrible waste of the taxpayers' money."

Norman Levy, a case worker with Vancouver's John Howard Society, knows most of the detainees in B.C. Penitentiary, and he says he has yet to find more than a couple who are predatory, scheming, or driven by a profit motive. "The majority are inadequate social misfits," Levy says.

"They are not habitual criminals so much as habitual prisoners." A talk with some of the detainees in B.C Penitentiary confirms all this. They are older men, unmarried, uneducated and unskilled. They may be articulate and even personable in the artificial environment of prison, but their conversation betrays feelings of inferiority, and their records demonstrate their failure in competitive society.

Photo captions: Top spread: Habitual criminals in B.C. Penitentiary meet for weekly group therapy under psychologist Chris Conway (head of table). Sessions began at urging of Robert McGrath (extreme right). Others are, from left: Frank Schlosser, John Hadden, James Atkins, Bill (Red) Henderson and Frank Little. Fourth page: Frank Schlomer, 55, has record of petty theft and assault convictions. He works daily in prison kitchens.

"I've never had any violence on my record," says Frank Little, 48. "All I am is a drug user and small-time thief."

[optimisticarbitergladiator]

jared kushner is jeff bezoz. the room mate and fellow social worker of martela montague from jamaica  who worked at YAC in fort mcmurray the youth assecment center..juvinal hall for fort mcmurray alberta. martella montague lived in the RED LION apartments on franklin ave, her room mate and social worker, drove a blue triumph TR6..i saw this convertible in the aLLY ON WHYTE AVE IN EDMOPNTON WHEN THE SECURITY GURADS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA WENT AFTER ME KELLY BRIAN DOMBROWSKI. THE PEACE OFFICERS OF EDMONTON ALBERTA. JARED KUSHNER IS JEFF BEZOZ AND HE IS THE SOCIAL WORKER FROM FORT MCMURRAUY ALBERTA WHO KIDNAPPED JUDGE HOROWITZ SON FROM THE YOUTH ASSESMENT CENTER. JUDGE HOROWITZ IS RAUL FROM THE SAN ANGEL CAFE. WHERE LEA THE TIMEKEPPER FROM CATYLETIC IS THE CRIMINAL MEXICAN LAWYER elizebth guterrez FROM PVLAW.COM AND THE LAWYER FROM THE SAFE HOUSE IN GUADALAJARA. SHE IS THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AVOVE JUDGE HOROWITZ AND THE STOLEN LADIES WHO WORK AT SAN ANGEL CAFE ON OLAS ALTAS . THE MOUEL, THE PIER IN PUERTO VALLARTA IS THE arizona memorial FROM pearl harbour honilulu hawaii. HIS VOICE IS THAT THE ARIZONA FBI BOMBED TIMOTHY MCVEA. I AM KELLY BRIAN DOMBROWSKI. I MAKE THESE CLAIMS IN HIOPE THAT THESWE CRIMINALS WILL BE ROUNDED UP AND BE GIVEN due process.

[lawyer4u1]

Refresh Your Space with Professional Cleaning Services in Edmonton

Sexual offenses encompass a broad spectrum of charges, ranging from sexual assault and harassment to child pornography and exploitation. sexual offences lawyer toronto Each case is unique, requiring a nuanced understanding of both the legal intricacies and the delicate nature of the allegations involved. A skilled sexual offenses lawyer in Toronto not only possesses a comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws but also approaches each case with empathy and discretion.

One of the primary roles of a sexual offenses lawyer is to provide unwavering support and guidance to their clients throughout the legal process. From the initial consultation to courtroom proceedings, these lawyers act as staunch advocates, ensuring that their clients' rights are upheld and their voices are heard. In a society where stigma and prejudice often accompany allegations of sexual misconduct, having a compassionate and dedicated legal representative can make all the difference.

Moreover, a specialized sexual offenses lawyer in Toronto is adept at navigating the intricate legal terrain surrounding these cases. They are well-versed in the Canadian Criminal Code, as well as relevant provincial statutes and case law. This expertise allows them to craft robust defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. Whether challenging the admissibility of evidence or scrutinizing witness testimony, these lawyers leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice for their clients.

In addition to their legal acumen, sexual offenses lawyers in Toronto understand the profound impact that these cases can have on individuals and their families. They recognize the importance of providing not only legal representation but also emotional support and reassurance during what is often a tumultuous and distressing time. By fostering open communication and maintaining utmost confidentiality, these lawyers strive to alleviate their clients' anxieties and empower them to confront their legal challenges with confidence.

Furthermore, a specialized sexual offenses lawyer in Toronto is attuned to the evolving dynamics of societal attitudes and cultural sensitivities surrounding issues of sexuality and consent. sexual assault lawyer in toronto They approach each case with cultural competence and respect for diverse perspectives, recognizing that the intersectionality of identity plays a crucial role in shaping both the allegations and the legal proceedings. By embracing a holistic approach to representation, these lawyers ensure that their clients' experiences and backgrounds are duly considered within the legal framework.

[lawyerserving456]

Legal Assist Ontario Chatham Family Law Service Centre

Students at the BLG Venture Clinic can draft memos on subjects similar to early round financing, the professionals and cons of various business buildings, employment issues, intellectual property and potential sources of legal responsibility. If your matter just isn't resolved via Legal Services RCAS, then you can contact us to use for a lawyer. NS Legal Aid will provide you with info or recommendation, or if you qualify, a lawyer in your case. Some degree of help is on the market to all Nova Scotians in these 3 areas of law.

Protect your legal rights earlier than and after separation by speaking with attorneys who can provide legal advice particular to your state of affairs. We’ve compiled numerous articles, forms and links that are essential to lawyers offering family law limited scope services in the province of Ontario. You can even add your name, contact information and follow details to our on-line directory. More legal professionals are educating themselves on how to ethically and effectively aid shoppers to manage their very own legal points with slightly legal help, by providing “unbundled” legal services and “flat fee” service packages. That enables clients to put a brake on their legal expenses, and often to move toward resolution on the pace and price-point that most intently fits their wants.

Where the issues aren't sophisticated, they are able to assist with some sorts of hearings. A Certificate is a voucher that ensures the lawyer will get paid by Legal Aid for representing you for a certain number of hours. The number of hours relies on the kind of legal help you need and is marked on the certificate . Sometimes, Legal Aid Ontario provides you with a Certificate if you agree to pay them again.

You can trust that our family law experts will lead you to resolution and that you will really feel supported at every step alongside the method in which. In instances of family violence, we will work to obtain protection orders for you or your child. We can even allow you to acquire pressing orders restraining access to or disposition of property. We will be there to give you assist and recommendation throughout this troublesome time. We are a non-profit group legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. We provide entry to justice for people with low incomes living in North Etobicoke.

Your family lawyer can take care of all the necessary documentation and be sure that it's legally enforceable so that there aren't any surprises or disappointments in a while. Let’s contemplate the areas where a family law lawyer could help you and your family to get again on a fair keel. However, many families in Calgary do not search legal assistance until a situation has deteriorated to the point where the matter needs court docket intervention and so they don’t know what to do. Cohabitation, marriage & separation agreements that focus on each events. Where income poses a barrier to legal services, The Edmonton Community Legal Centre is a non-profit company that provides free legal services to those in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.

These services are located outdoors of London and Middlesex, but present service to London and Middlesex. Mediation is a method that partners can agree to settle their problems outside of the courtroom, with the help Family legal services of a mediator, who's a 3rd person that both partners settle for and trust. Family mediators are available in all Family Courts in Ontario.

It can help with issues including criminal law, civil law and family law. The Summary Advice Counsel is a lawyer who assists individuals who want legal advice on a family law matter, but who don't have a lawyer. The Summary Advice lawyer supplies fundamental family law legal services legal recommendation, freed from cost, no matter how a lot you make or the place you get your revenue. You can get assist from the Family Law Information Centre at your courthouse should you qualify financially.

In other circumstances, we can embody one movement, depending on how many issues are concerned, and then all related paperwork, together with scheduling of court docket dates and comparable matters. The Family Responsibility Office helps implement child and spousal support agreements and orders. Luke’s Place provides free legal recommendation to girls in the Durham region however during COVID-19 they are also giving recommendation to women throughout Ontario through their virtual clinic.

As skilled litigators, collaborative family legal professionals, mediators, and parenting coordinators, we'll work with you to ensure that your rights, safety, and entitlements are protected. Our attorneys present comprehensive services across a spread of business, family, and private issues. Before adversarial action turns into needed, mediation should be thought of the first choice for family dispute resolution. In many situations, an Accredited Family Mediator may help you identify what's essential to you, understand legal necessities, and focus on the very best end result for your family.

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Skilled Calgary Criminal Lawyer with Local Expertise and Strong Defense Strategies | Martin G. Schulz & Associates

When you or someone you know faces criminal charges, it's not only a serious matter but also a frightening one. If your case goes to court, a criminal lawyer will skillfully challenge the witness testimonies presented against you and offer valuable legal guidance specific to your charges. Certainly, the Crown's prosecution will relentlessly pursue your conviction within the bounds of the law. A Calgary criminal lawyer in Canada from Martin G. Schulz & Associates possesses the expertise, experience, and extensive local knowledge required to conduct a thorough and meticulous investigation into the facts, circumstances, evidence, witness accounts, and other critical factors surrounding your case. Discover more by reaching out to us today.

[dorothyjenks]

When do you require a criminal attorney?

If you, or someone you care about, has been accused of crime and there is a chance of prison time then you should immediately hire a criminal defense lawyer. Some people think they can defend themselves, especially in cases of drunken-driving and similar situations. They only realize the need for expert help when it is already too late.

You can get help from a criminal attorney if you are on the wrong side. Sometimes people get into trouble with the law even if there was no misdeed or misconduct involved. A criminal lawyer is recommended in these cases.

An attorney can help keep your criminal record clear. You are more likely to land your dream job if you have a clean criminal record. No need to fear a background test or be uncomfortable answering questions.

A criminal history can cause a variety of problems such as loss of civil rights (in the instance of students), loss of financial assistance (in the event of deportation), or refusal to naturalize. A criminal record can affect future earnings or job opportunities.

A good criminal attorney can provide you with many advantages. One of the main advantages of hiring a good criminal lawyer is that they are familiar with the laws in the state and country. So, they are able to easily determine if the accused can fight the charges. So, for example, many cases are dismissed because of incorrect legal procedures that were not followed at the time the individual was arrested or detailed.

A number of times, the lawyer's ability to make a hole has rendered the evidence useless. The outcome of a criminal case can be affected by different aspects of the law. An experienced and qualified criminal lawyer will have the knowledge and experience to handle these variables.

Criminal lawyers can negotiate deals to reduce the jail term for convicted individuals. The edmonton criminal lawyers can use certain information to convince prosecutors to reduce the jail term.

A person who represents themselves may be unable to reach a similar agreement, because prosecutors are not in a position to negotiate with them, as they have little or no rapport with defendants.

Many people are scared off by the costs involved in hiring a defense attorney. The cost of hiring a lawyer is often too high for many people. They decide to represent themselves instead. This can be a costly mistake.

[kolinskylaw-1]

Top Mistakes to Avoid After Being Charged with a Criminal Offence — Tips from Kolinsky Law

Table of Contents:

Talking to the Police Without Legal Representation

Delaying Contacting a Lawyer

Ignoring Court Dates and Deadlines

Posting About Your Case on Social Media

Underestimating the Seriousness of the Charges

Failing to Disclose All Information to Your Lawyer

Pleading Guilty Without Legal Advice

Not Understanding Your Legal Rights

Why Choose Kolinsky Law?

1. Talking to the Police Without Legal Representation

It’s natural to want to explain yourself when confronted by law enforcement. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes individuals make. Remember, anything you say can and will be used against you in court. The smartest move you can make is to exercise your right to remain silent and immediately contact a Criminal Defence Lawyer in Edmonton like Kolinsky Law.

2. Delaying Contacting a Lawyer

Time is critical when dealing with criminal charges. Waiting too long to hire a Criminal Charges Lawyer in Edmonton can lead to missed opportunities to gather evidence, secure witnesses, or build a strong defence. David Kolinsky and his team act swiftly to protect your rights and craft a tailored legal strategy for your case.

3. Ignoring Court Dates and Deadlines

Failing to appear in court or missing deadlines can lead to additional charges and weaken your case. Kolinsky Law, recognised among the Best Law Firms in Edmonton, ensures you’re informed about all critical dates and deadlines, helping you stay organised and proactive.

4. Posting About Your Case on Social Media

Social media might seem like a safe space to vent, but anything you post can be used as evidence against you. Avoid discussing your case online and let the Best Criminal Defence Lawyer in Edmonton handle your defence professionally and discreetly.

5. Underestimating the Seriousness of the Charges

Many individuals make the mistake of believing that minor offences won’t have long-term consequences. Even seemingly small charges can affect your record, career, and future opportunities. The Top Criminal Lawyers in Edmonton at Kolinsky Law treat every case with the seriousness it deserves, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

6. Failing to Disclose All Information to Your Lawyer

Your lawyer’s ability to defend you depends on having all the facts. Withholding information, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can jeopardise your defence. Kolinsky Law’s team provides a confidential, non-judgmental environment to ensure open communication and a robust legal strategy.

7. Pleading Guilty Without Legal Advice

Some individuals plead guilty to “get it over with,” not realising the long-term consequences of a criminal record. Consulting with the Best Lawyer for Criminal Charges in Edmonton can help you explore alternatives like plea negotiations or alternative measures programs.

8. Not Understanding Your Legal Rights

Many individuals are unaware of their rights under the law. As one of the Best Criminal Defence Lawyers in Edmonton, David Kolinsky ensures his clients are fully informed about their rights, empowering them to make sound decisions throughout the process.

Why Choose Kolinsky Law?

David Kolinsky and his team have earned a reputation as one of the Best Criminal Lawyers in Edmonton for their meticulous approach, personalised strategies, and unwavering commitment to client success. Whether it’s DUI charges, drug offences, or complex criminal cases, Kolinsky Law’s expertise ensures you’re in capable hands.

Conclusion

When facing criminal charges, avoiding these common mistakes is crucial to protecting your rights and securing the best outcome. With the guidance of Kolinsky Law, one of the Top Criminal Lawyers in Edmonton, you can navigate this challenging time with confidence and clarity. Contact Kolinsky Law today to get the support you deserve from the Best Law Firm in Edmonton.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

On Friday morning in Edmonton, Crown attorneys informed Brandi Morin that the charge of obstruction laid against her has been withdrawn. Morin’s lawyer, veteran criminal defence attorney Richard Mirasty, was to appear in court today to enter a plea of not guilty on Morin’s behalf, and set a date for trial. Instead, he was informed that prosecutors had chosen to withdraw the charge.

[...]

On January 10, Morin was conducting interviews at an Indigenous unhoused encampment in Edmonton when police arrived and set up a large exclusion zone around the area. Morin was already inside this area, and filmed without incident as police negotiated with camp residents. When those negotiations broke down, with residents holding up eagle feathers in a gesture of peaceful resistance, police moved in to arrest camp leader Roy Cardinal. At this time a police officer charged at Morin, and demanded she leave the area while pushing her repeatedly. When Morin protested that she was a journalist and had a right to be there she was manhandled, handcuffed and held for five hours before being released. She was charged with obstruction of a police officer.

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[college-girl199328]

Body-worn cameras will become mandatory for all police officers in Alberta, the provincial government announced Tuesday. Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, said the cameras increase public trust in policing and help police review interactions.

"By documenting the behavior of the police in public, collecting better evidence, and improving our approach to resolving complex complaints during investigations, [body-worn cameras] represent an objective measure to show what occurs at the moment," Ellis told a news conference. The ministry will work with law enforcement agency partners on funding and logistics. A committee of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) will be tasked with planning the rollout over the next few months.

Once the plan is implemented, Ellis said, all front-line officers in Alberta, including those who work for municipal police services and self-administered Indigenous police services, will have to wear the small cameras. He said Alberta would be the first province in Canada to mandate body-worn cameras.

The RCMP is working on a nationwide rollout of body-worn cameras. Alberta RCMP officers have been participating in field tests since cameras became mandatory for Calgary police officers in 2019.

"Several police agencies in the province are already on this path, but we are looking forward to seeing the details of this mandate and how it will assist in standardizing our approach," said Dean LaGrange, chief of the Camrose Police Service and vice president of the AACP.

The Edmonton Police Service tested the technology about a decade ago, but the finding was "unproven" and came with significant data management issues and costs. No quantitative evidence was found that the cameras affected protests or that use-of-force incidents occurred with the cameras. Technology did help speed up complaint investigations, however.

EPS Chief Dale McFee said he wholeheartedly supports body-worn cameras across the province. More research has been done since the pilot in Edmonton, he said. A report on body-worn camera use in Calgary found the number of use-of-force incidents declined the year after the cameras were brought in. Internal and external complaints against police officers increased slightly, but complaint resolution time was reduced by half.

Shawn King, a defense lawyer and vice-president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association, said footage from body-worn cameras could corroborate testimony supplied in court and potentially shorten trials. Delivering video evidence is always preferable, as opposed to having someone come in and tell you about what happened," he said.

Christopher Schneider, a sociology professor at Brandon University in Manitoba, has published several peer-reviewed articles on body-worn cameras. The consensus is mixed on the effectiveness of the devices, both in terms of reducing civilian complaints and in reducing the use of force by police, Schneider said.

Research is mixed on the effectiveness of the devices, both in terms of reducing civilian complaints and in reducing use of force by police, Schneider said.

In some jurisdictions, he said, police use of force has been shown to increase with the presence of body-worn cameras. Therefore. he argues that the public should be alarmed by the adoption of these devices," he said.

Schneider noted that the cameras are not expensive, but data storage can cost large cities like Edmonton or Toronto millions of dollars. Officers can also turn off the cameras, he said. They increase privacy concerns and said a more effective way to improve police accountability would be for them to carry personal liability insurance. Officers found to have engaged in police misconduct or used excessive force would then see their premiums go up.

A spokesperson for Alberta's Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner said the office hopes to hear from the committee about its plans to uphold access to information and privacy rights. Sibbald said the OIPC encourages municipal police services to submit privacy impact assessments on body-worn cameras to help before programs are implemented.

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Jomha Law Office is the Best Lawyers in Edmonton. We are Customer oriented, Knowledge-driven law Firm. We really work hard and smart to get our clients the best possible results! Jomha law office is a law firm Edmonton specialising in all aspects of Criminal, Residential & Commercial Real Estate, Business & Corporate, Immigration, and Wills & Estate Law. Our goal is to provide superior quality legal services and to protect our clients’ interests. We are able to accomplish this goal by providing personalized service and maintaining a high level of lawyer involvement in every file and satisfaction of the client. Jomha Law Office has served families and the business community for over 15 years. When you need comprehensive legal advice, get our Edmonton lawyer's free advice.

[bhallalawfirm]

Bhalla Law Office is Best Criminal law firm offering legal consultancy and has expertise in handling criminal law litigation in Edmonton, Alberta, canada.