Latest Criminal Law News

Statement by the Government of Canada on the Passage of the Citizen's Arrest
We promised to introduce this legislation to clarify the law on citizen's arrest and streamline the laws on self-defence. Today, we are one step closer to delivering on that promise. "The Criminal Code currently allows Canadians to defend themselves
Updated: 05/01/2012 03:25P

Opening the other eye: Charles Taylor and selective accountability
I share the view that it is desirable to lean over backwards to establish a reputation of fairness in dealing with accusations under international criminal law. It is better not to convict defendants involving crimes of state when strong evidence is
Updated: 05/01/2012 03:25P

Feds move to crack down on gang recruitment
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced Tuesday the government backs the legislation, which makes the bill's passage into law almost a guarantee. Gill's bill proposes a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of six
Updated: 05/01/2012 03:10P

Bill on applying racketeering laws to gang members sent to Gov. Bill Haslam
by Andy Sher NASHVILLE — Legislation expanding state racketeering laws to apply to criminal gang activity is on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam for his consideration. The House today approved the anti-gang measure, sought by Chattanooga Mayor Ron
Updated: 05/01/2012 03:01P

EEOC Updates Civil Rights Protections on Criminal Background Checks for Employment
It's illegal for employers to ban all applicants with criminal records, but these blanket no-hire policies persist, as documented in a report that the National Employment Law Project released last year. For example, Pepsi recently agreed to a
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:54P

Former York councilwoman Toni Smith gets ARD for election-law charges
She said she didn't mean to break the law, but ignorance is no excuse. "I made a mistake," she said. District Attorney Tom Kearney said last week that Smith's case was perfect for ARD: She has no prior criminal record, and she is not a violent offender
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:50P

Former York councilwoman Toni Smith gets ARD for election-law charges
She said she didn't mean to break the law, but ignorance is no excuse. "I made a mistake," she said. District Attorney Tom Kearney said last week that Smith's case was perfect for ARD: She has no prior criminal record, and she is not a violent offender
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:50P

Dharun Ravi defense team seeks to have hate crime convictions dismissed
By AP NEW BRUNSWICK — A former Rutgers University student who was convicted of hate crimes for using a webcam to see a snippet of his roommate kissing another man is asking a judge to overturn the jury's verdict. Lawyers for 20-year-old Dharun Ravi
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:49P

Worthington: Law too weak on gun-toting kid
What's wrong with the law that gives kids 12 and under a free pass to do whatever they want and not be accountable? Or really punished in a way that inhibits future repetition? No matter the crime, three years is the maximum sentence,
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:45P

Gov't moves to crack down on gang recruitment
OTTAWA - The Harper government supports a Tory MP's private member's bill that would create a new Criminal Code offence to crack down on gang recruitment. Parm Gill introduced the Criminal Organization Recruitment Act, which would make it a criminal
Updated: 05/01/2012 02:28P