Month: August 2015

There is no question that drunk drivers can pose a risk to themselves and others who are on the road the same time they are. As a result, there is a fairly consistent effort to try to reduce the number of drivers who are intoxicated on Toronto area roads. Just how well those efforts are working is debatable. The Ontario Provincial Police recently provided statistics regarding the number of such individuals on roads in the Toronto metro area. Throughout the province the number of drunk drivers who face charges is down by 11 percent. Despite these lower numbers, according to…

While the attitudes many have regarding the use of marijuana the production and use of the drug are softening, in Ontario, the cultivation and use is still illegal. Most people are likely aware that being charged with growing a large amount of marijuana could result in harsh penalties if one is convicted. Fewer people may be aware however that the consequences can be similarly severe if someone is found guilty of growing even a small amount. While some consequences for those found guilty of the crime—such as incarceration and fines—are well known, others are not as obvious. For example, as a…

Accusations of sexual abuse can be devastating to the person who faces them and building a defence against such charges can be an exhausting and scary. While there is undoubtedly a great relief when a defence against such charges is successful, the entire episode can leave someone reeling and life may never be the same. An Ontario man recently acquitted after being accused of child sexual abuse in another country is facing that reality now. The 45-year-old man was teaching in an international school in Indonesia when he was accused of perpetrating the crime against kindergarteners. Though initially convicted and…

Most people who have babies are probably aware of the term “shaken baby syndrome.” Parents are generally educated on the serious head trauma shaking a baby out of frustration could cause to the child. In addition to potentially causing devastating injuries, it could also lead to death. Now, at least one hospital in the province, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, is abandoning the use of the term. A revision of 2002 statement on shaken baby syndrome released by multiple entities including the Public Health agency of Canada and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, is in the process of…

In our last post we focused on reasons why a Toronto police officer might pull a vehicle over. Since under certain circumstances a traffic stop can lead to serious criminal charges, how the stop is handled is important as well. It is fair to say that once pulled over, no one wants to do anything that will get them into trouble. But just what are your rights if you are pulled over by law enforcement? In this post we will focus on the topic. When a police officer pulls you over, the best course of action is to: Immediately come to…

No one wants to be pulled over by police. This is true for a variety of reasons. While a traffic ticket is certainly not desirable, if the stops leads to more serious criminal charges--such as drunk driving or drug possession or trafficking--the penalties can be even harsher. Accordingly, it is generally a good idea to take steps to avoid being pulled over. The interim director of policing and public safety for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, indicates there are multiple reasons why someone behind the wheel of a car might be pulled over. A police officer can do so in the…

All are likely aware that someone who is convicted of domestic violence could face serious consequences within the criminal justice system. Readers may not realize how it could impact other parts of their lives however, such as their employment. This is true regardless of what one does for a living and includes professional football players. Perhaps in response to the backlash the NFL recently faced in the United States following multiple accusations of domestic violence by players, the CFL recently announced its violence against women policy. The policy applies not only to players but team staff members and coaches as…

Over the course of the past few years the use of social media platforms has grown at a fast pace. People of ages and backgrounds now use apps such as Facebook and Twitter to share information with the world. While much of the use of these platforms is for positive communication, there are however, some who may feel that its use is for negative. A man, who tweeted at two Toronto women, considered to be political feminists, is facing a criminal charge for his communications on Twitter. He is charged with criminal harassment. The Crown alleged that he: Sent many harassing…

Truckers are relied upon by people throughout the country to transport good from one place to another. Sometimes the goods being transported are picked up in the United States before crossing over into Canada. Earlier this week a Toronto truck driver was accused of transporting more than he was supposed to. Specifically it is alleged that the 26-year-old man was transporting 52 kilograms of cocaine. The suspected drug was discovered by Canada Border Services officers. The discovery was made when the truck was crossing into Canada and was flagged for a secondary inspection. According to authorities the drug was actually found…