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America's Problem Solving Courts - An in-depth report from the National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers (US) which has direct application to our Drug and Domestic Violence Courts in Saskatchewan Fall 2006: Federal Government introduces amendments to Criminal Code : Bill C-9 Removes availability Conditional Sentence for certain offences. Bill C-10 Introduces new minimum sentences. Bill C-19 Creates new offence of "Street Racing" which appears to duplicate Criminal Negligence and Dangerous Driving offences already in Code. Bill C-22 Changes age of consent to sexual activity from 14 to 16. Adds defence of consent where accused is less than 5 years older if complainant 14-16. Defence of consent available if complainant 12-14 and accused less than 2 years older (formerly 3 years). Bill C-27 Amends Dangerous Offender and creates a "three strikes you are out" approach to imposing Dangerous Offender sentence where there are 2 previous convictions for designated offences. Bill C-32 Creates new offence of "driving while in possession of controlled substance". Also empowers police officers to conduct tests to determine if driver impaired by controlled substance. Also creates new offence of causing bodily harm or death while over .08. Supreme Court rules against extradition to face death penalty. U.S. v. Burns Court of Appeal clarifies law on breathalyser challenges. R. v. Fox. PDF version Federal Government proclaims Youth Criminal Justice Act . In force, April 1, 2003. Supreme Court upholds 10 year sentence for Robert Latimer. Latimer v. The Queen Supreme Court upholds Rape Shield law: R. v. Darrach Supreme Court overturns instruction to jury on "reasonable doubt": R. v. Avetysan. Also: R. v. Starr Parliament passes Bill C-82 - amendments to Criminal Code respecting Impaired / .08 offences. In force July 1, 1999. BC Court of Appeal upholds R. v. Sharpe declaring that Criminal Code offence of possession of child pornography is unconstitutional. Supreme Court holds that statements taken under compulsion of provincial traffic laws not admissible on criminal charge: R. v. White Supreme Court clarifies law relating to non-insane automatism defence: R. v. Stone Supreme Court says RCMP must release legal opinion from Crown Counsel to establish "good faith" defence to Charter challenge of reverse sting operation: R. v. Campbell Supreme Court Justice Ian Binnie on John Sopinka and Supreme Court advocacy - John Sopinka Advocacy Lecture, November 27, 1998 Special Interest cases - including all Robert Latimer decisions on-line Smith v. Jones - the Supreme Court decides that solicitor client privilege does not apply to a report of psychiatrist retained by defence counsel. Federal Government announces new Youth Criminal Justice Act . YJCA Backgrounder The Act: Bill C-68 Department of Justice "Fact Sheets" Federal Minister of Justice, Anne McLellan's new Youth Justice Strategy.. The Laughable Drug Courier Profile Supreme Court says No means No: R. v. Ewanchuk British Columbia Supreme Court holds that criminal code offence for possession of child pornography is unconstitutional: R. v. Sharpe. Federal Government issues consultation paper for changes to Criminal Law Procedure. Click here.. Read the Ontario Criminal Lawyers Association response. B.C. Prosecutor rebuked for doing background checks on potential jurors Supreme Court says No means No: R. v. Ewanchuk Federal Department of Justice discloses that analyst in Burnaby Drug Lab was a drug addict and tampered with drug exhibits submitted for analysis. DOJ says that this does not affect accuracy of results. Click here for Notice to Profession. Notice in PDF format. British Columbia Supreme Court holds that criminal code offence for possession of child pornography is unconstitutional: R. v. Sharpe. Supreme Court of Canada says forced entry into home in response to a 911 call is justified. R. v. Godoy. Federal Government announces proposals for remedying Miscarriages of Justice. Click here. Federal Government issues consultation paper for changes to Criminal Law Procedure. Click here.. Read the Ontario Criminal Lawyers Association response. Federal Justice announces proposals to amend self defence provisions of Criminal Code. Click here. Federal Minister of Justice, Anne McLellan's new Youth Justice Strategy.. Click here. Supreme Court of Canada holds that warrantless search by school principal is proper: R. v. M.R.M. Supreme Court of Canada decides that the Criminal Code rules for determining the order of presenting jury addresses (defence goes first if it calls evidence) is constitutionally proper: R. v. Rose The case of Stanley Faulder - 21 years awaiting the Texas death chamber. Click here