On April 9, 2018 the new Alberta Administrative License Suspension law came into effect. This affects people who the police suspect have committed an impaired driving-related offence (such as impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol content over 0.08, or refusing to provide a sample to a police officer). What prompted this change to the … Read More.
Are you a permanent resident or foreign national charged with a criminal offence in Canada? Do you know how your criminal charges can impact your ability to stay in the country or obtain citizenship? If you are not a Canadian citizen, and you are convicted of a criminal offence in Canada, your status in this country … Read More.
In 2015, the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services launched the #IBelieveYou campaign. The campaign is funded by the province and is meant to encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward and report their stories. Campaigns like this have a high social value. But what do they mean for the most important principle in … Read More.
On Dec 5, 2017 our great friend, partner and colleague, Robert Shaigec, was appointed by Alberta’s Minister of Justice as a judge to the Provincial Court of Alberta. Robert joined our firm as an articling student many years ago, and quickly climbed our ranks to become a Senior Partner. He has defended thousands of criminal cases across Alberta … Read More.
Being charged with a crime can be one of the most stressful and potentially devastating events in one’s life. Hiring an experienced, knowledgeable and effective defence lawyer is an essential first step to taking control of the situation; but how best to do that? Here are some basic tips: Obtain a referral from a trusted friend, … Read More.
Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association Media Release March 20, 2007 Re: Funding Increase To Legal Aid Alberta The Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association (CTLA) welcomes the Government of Alberta’s recent budget announcement increasing funding for our province’s Legal Aid system. Together with enhanced funding for Crown Prosecution and Court services, this additional funding will provide some … Read More.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE CRIMINAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION & CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 22, 2016 We have learned that the Alberta government intends to quietly proceed with the closure of the Phoenix sex offender treatment program by March 2017. Our two associations view this decision as detrimental to public safety, and one which … Read More.
Clients crave certainty. One method in which we can give our clients some measure of certainty is in approaching the Court having negotiated a joint sentencing position with Crown. These positions, called joint submissions, are often the result of protracted discussions where both Crown and Defence come to a mutually agreeable position to resolve the charges … Read More.
Q&A: What is the appeal process? An appeal is an application to a higher court to review a case for any errors or deficiencies. In Alberta, summary conviction appeals are heard in the Court of Queen’s Bench. The Court of Appeal of Alberta is the highest appellate court in the Province and hears appeals from … Read More.
The trial of Travis Vader (R. v. Vader) has attracted significant public attention in Edmonton over the past few months. While it seemed to have arrived at completion with the release of the judge’s trial decision, it quickly become clear that a major roadblock arose from the judge’s own analysis. Vader was charged with two … Read More.