Prostitution laws challenged in court
Sex workers set to launch landmark challenge Tracey Tyler writes for the Toronto Star: “The one thing I can tell you from looking at this, both as an academic and as a person constructing a…
Criminal Law
Proposed Drunk Driving Law Would Face Constitutional Challenge
Reported by Canwest News Service, the Canadian Department of Justice is proposing a new law that would allow police officers to randomly demand breath samples in an effort to curtail drunk driving, without respect to…
Coverup alleged in 1987 murder conviction
Manitoba police, Crown accused of cover-up Federal investigators accused Manitoba cops and prosecutors of framing a man for murder in 1987. Frank Ostrowski, who spent 23 years in prison, is now seeking bail. Kirk Makin writes…
Into the minds of the condemned: statements from Death Row
What’s it like to live on Death Row? What’s it like to die there? I wonder how a person can  stand to wait in a small cell, watching the second hand of a clock tick…
Corruption alleged in high circles
Former Quebec lieutenant-governor facing charges Rhéal Seguin writes: Quebec’s former lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault is facing criminal charges involving fraud, breach of trust, forgery and fabrication of false documents related to the misspending of public funds…
Polygamy legalization may be in sight
Polygamy charges tossed out Petti Fong writes: The province has had its hands tied with proceeding with charges for fear that if the polygamy law is struck down by a successful challenge under the Charter,…
Illegal fights
Police uncover teen fight club … efforts are underway to educate students about the dangers and criminal consequences of taking part in fight clubs. Martin’s Criminal Code: “Serious bodily harm must be both intended and…
Student-teacher love can be a serious crime in Canada
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer (I am a law student). The text below contains only my understanding of the applicable law. It has nothing whatsoever to do with your particular situation. Do not assume…
“Poor, pitiful Randal”
Parents in beating death of boy, 7, want new trial Months of abuse left Randal incontinent and unable to keep food down before his death in September 1998. Along with a tapestry of scars and…
Goldstone Report Could Lead to ICC Charges
The report by Justice Richard Goldstone on the Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, released yesterday, is raising some interesting legal questions. The report concluded that both Israel and the Palestinians had committed war…
Melissa Todorovic’s boyfriend to be sentenced
Crown seeks life for man who killed Rengel He pleaded guilty in April to first-degree murder, saying he killed Rengel on New Year’s Day 2008 to appease his jealous girlfriend.
First war crime conviction in Canada
Life sought for Rwandan war crimes Justice Andre Denis is to hand down a sentence on Oct. 29. His verdict in May made Munyaneza the first person to be convicted under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity…