Charge: Assault (domestic) x2 Issue: Given the rehabilitative steps taken by our client, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal charges. Result: Mr. Johnson was able to persuade Crown Counsel to stay both counts prior to trial. No criminal record.
I would like to say “thank you very much” for helping me getting through this chaotic time of my life. You handled my case with expert care and resolved it in a manner positively in my favor. I am very grateful for not getting a criminal record. You are very professional and knowledgeable and for […]
Charge: Theft Over $5000 (from employer). Issue: Whether the complainant would forward charges to police. Result: Mr. Mines was able to negotiate repayment of the misapproptiated funds without our client admitting civil or criminal liability. No charges forwarded or approved. No criminal or police record.
This whole Jian Ghomeshi debacle has been a cultural and media firestorm. There are countless articles, commentaries, conversations and opinions swirling throughout Canada. There has certainly been a positive outcome, that being, that the issue of unreported violence against women is at the forefront of public discourse, and we are seeing that it is a […]
Charge: Fraud/Theft Over $5000. Issue: Whether Mr. Mines’ client would be sentenced to jail for this $150,000 investment fraud matter. Result: Breach of trust notwithstanding, the Court agreed with our sentencing submission and imposed a 12 month conditional sentence. No jail.
From time to time we act as duty counsel, representing newly arresested people in the Vancouver Jail. Read Michael’s account of a typical weekend as duty counsel in this Georgia Straight article.
Charge: Assault; Breach of Undertaking (x2). Issue: Whether our client was acting in self defence and whether the complainant induced the breaches. Result: The trial judge dismissed all three charges. No criminal record.
Charge: Sexual Assault; Assault; Threatening. Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction. Result: As a result of new information we provided, Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown Counsel to enter stays of proceedings on all charges. No criminal record.
Restorative Justice (“RJ”), or what is also sometimes referred to as Transformative Justice, is a contrast to the traditional adversarial justice system. In the adversarial justice system an accused person is represented by a criminal defence lawyer, the public (or the state or the Crown) is represented by a government prosecutor known as Crown Counsel, […]
In the news today, another example of what appears to be police brutality in British Columbia. A Terrace, BC RCMP officer punches an alleged young offender (under 18 years old) in the face while the young offender is on the ground, face down, in handcuffs and is being straddled by the officer. Whether the prevalence […]
Sadly, a 71 year old pedestrian has died after being struck by a cyclist in Stanley Park on October 3 near the totem poles at Brockton Point. Apparently the man was crossing the roadway when a 57 year old rider collided with him. Reportedly, the cyclist remained at the scene and cooperated fully with police. The […]
Charge: Assault (spousal). Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the charge considering the rehabilitative steps our client had taken. Result: Mr. Johnson persuded Crown to enter a stay of proceedings. No criminal record.
