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calgary defence blog
A Defence lawyer's perspective on issues in criminal law
Please be aware that all commentary in my blog is designed to promote discourse on a variety of topics. Though I certainly do some research on the topics discussed and often offer my "two-cents", please keep in mind that nothing I say in this blog is meant to be taken as authoritative on any subject. My comments are really just me exercising my freedom of expression for the purpose of offering some insight on topics related to the practice of criminal law, in politics and current events. As with all topics of discussion, it is important for you to be critical. If you need a defence lawyer, please call 403.452.8018 for a free telephone consultation or consult with an experienced Calgary criminal lawyer. Happy reading! Happy watching!
ALS Struck Down -- Thank you Mr. Sahaluk et al
It's about time! How many thousands of people have been sacrificed to recognize the value of our Charter rights? After a long and costly battle, where Calgary DUI lawyers banned together…
Charter Rights Beyond the Courtroom
As a Calgary criminal defence lawyer I often find myself arguing broad principles before Judges, asking them to assiduously protect the Charter protected interests of the accused so that the…
Erika Tucker's Wicked Questionable Little Question.
Global News Columnist, Erika Tucker, recently posed an interesting question: Why don’t Alberta judge’s know the law? http://globalnews. ca/news/2945530/travis-vader-verdict-robin-camp-controversy-why-dont-alberta-judges-know-the-law/ I offer some imperfect musings on this subject.
Alberta Woman Helped Keep Calgary Lawyers Accountable
Any regular reader of this blog knows that I spend a fair amount of time criticizing the Calgary Police Service and other law enforcement agencies.
Calgary Citizens Need to Beware The New Big Brother: Ourselves
The concept of civil liberty means a great deal to me, and not just because I am a Calgary defence lawyer.
Did Calgary's Mayor Violate the Civil Rights of People Convicted of Crimes?
Let me start by saying how ridiculous it is that what is apparently the greatest legal crisis facing Calgary today centers around a ride sharing app.
Vigilante Justice Isn't the Answer in Calgary or Anywhere Else
Warning: this is my second post in as many weeks where I profess my agreement with a law enforcement agency.
Calgary Police, the Law, and…"DUI"?
Any regular reader knows I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Calgary Police Service.
Closing Calgary's Community Police Stations is the Wrong Move
I promise, when the Calgary Police—and the Calgary powers-that-be who hold the purse strings—finally start doing their jobs in a way that serves the long-term best interests of the Calgary…
Calgary Case Sets Precedent for Compassionate End of Life
The main role of the government, as I see it, is to ensure we have freedom—to make sure that we can live the way we want to live without interference…
Changing Campaign Finance to Catch Calgary's Real Criminals
I'm not always enamored by the Calgary Herald or its headlines and apparent opinions, especially when it comes to the Calgary Police and the overall legal and criminal justice landscape…
Calgary Violence: Gang Wars and Criminal Madness, or Police State Hysteria?
Several recent homicides and other violent crimes in Calgary have been making big headlines lately, and are being met with strong words and scary rhetoric by the Calgary Police.
Will Calgary Be Paying the Mayor's Lawyers?
At a time when most Calgary taxpayers are reeling from a recession that hit hard and fast, there's a bit of upsetting news that points to a possible problem with…
A Brave New World for Canada: Online Arguments and Criminal Harassment
In what many consider to be the first case of its kind in Canada, a man was charged with criminal harassment for comments he made on social media about two…
Assisted Dying Still Criminal in Calgary and Canada...For Now
Last year, Canada's Supreme Court told the federal government that it needed to come up with assisted dying legislation—a law that would allow Canadian adults with chronic and intolerable illnesses…
3 Reasons Alberta's Premier Needs to Come Around on Marijuana Legalization
Our Prime Minister has promised it will happen, and may law enforcement and health officials are very much onboard.
The Real Impact of the Economy on Calgary Crime
Whenever times get bleak for Calgary we get inundated with articles like this, linking the depressed economy to increased crime rates and sowing more fear, which is the exact opposite…
Moonlighting Calgary Police Now Under Investigation Themselves
Given my fairly transparent and not especially laudatory attitude towards the Calgary Police, one might think I felt a fair amount of pleasure when I came across a headline in…
Safety, Equality, and Liberty for All Calgarians
While there is still a lot of work we have to do to create a society that is truly fair and just to everyone in it, Alberta got a bit…
Drugs, Guns, and More Talk of Calgary Gangs
It seems like there's a new story every week with the same basic details: Calgary Police track down someone who is allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, then announce…
Legal Marijuana: Perhaps "Uncool," Definitely Good for Calgary
Opinion pieces in the Calgary Herald should always be taken with a grain of salt (or a shot of something stronger), but this piece on potential marijuana legalization really takes…
How Calgary Can Best Stand with Paris, Against Terror
There are no apologies or excuses to be made for those who carried out the recent attacks in Paris.
Do We Really Need More Calgary Police?
Some members of the Calgary Police force are clamoring for more officers, but is that really the right solution? According to Metro, some cops on the beat have complained of staffing…