A criminal defence lawyer’s responsibility is to uphold constitutional rights and protect the public from unnecessary state intrusions. We do not condone criminal activity or support those who engage in such reprehensible conduct, regardless of the cause.The Criminal Lawyers’ Association stands for democracy, the rule of law and civil liberties. The right to peaceful protest […]
News
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Statement from the CLA Executive on the invocation of the Federal Emergencies Act
Posted by John Chagnon in News on February 21, 2022
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Call for Applicants: For The Defence Co-Editor
Term: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024 Position Description: Two co-editors are required as editors for CLA’s magazine, For The Defence. The terms are two years, with terms expiring on alternating years. The role of the co-editors shall include: Coordinating production of the Newsletter with Carswell, a Thomson Reuters business. Coordinating writers to ensure […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on February 14, 2022
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The Criminal Lawyers’ Association stands with the freelance Court Interpreters of Ontario in their demands for fair treatment.
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association stands with the freelance Court Interpreters of Ontario in their demands for fair treatment. While protests outside the Courthouses have occurred and some press attention has resulted this is a critical issue to the administration of justice in Ontario which must be addressed. Interpreters are an integral part of our justice […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on February 9, 2022
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Accepting CLA Mental Health Committee member applications
Submit by Monday, February 8, 2022. Open to all Active or Observer CLA members with a passion specific to mental health issues in the Criminal Justice System. There are up to 15 committee member spaces available. Submissions will be reviewed with all applicants being contacted once the reviews have been completed. Note, reviews will be completed […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on January 31, 2022
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Accepting CLA Accessibility Committee member applications
Submit by Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Open to all CLA members (student, active, observer and affiliate) with a passion to foster and promote opportunities for people with disabilities in criminal law. There are up to 15 committee member spaces available. Submissions will be reviewed with all applicants being contacted once the reviews have been completed. Note, […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on January 21, 2022
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Call to Action-CLA Women’s Committee
Message from CLA Women's Co-directors: Michelle Johal and Stephanie DiGiuseppe [...]Posted by John Chagnon in News on January 11, 2022
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Accepting CLA Recent Call Committee member applications
Submit by Monday, January 17, 2022. Open to all CLA Junior or Senior Active members call to the bar between 2016 and 2021. 15 committee member spaces are available. Submissions will be reviewed with all applicants being contacted once the reviews have been completed. Note, reviews will be completed as soon as possible.
Posted by John Chagnon in News on January 6, 2022
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Censoring of a defence counsel
The CLA condemns the TDSB’s irresponsible and ignorant position in refusing to promote the “A Room of Your Own” book club event featuring defence counsel Marie Henein’s memoire, Nothing But The Truth. The TDSB should be eager to educate students on the important work criminal defence lawyers do and our critical role in a constitutional […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on November 12, 2021
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Judge-Led Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) Certificate system
The “guilty plea certificate” The CLA stands firmly against the new Judge-Led Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) Certificate system designed to incentivize guilty pleas among unrepresented individuals. The CLA strongly urges its members to refuse to accept these “guilty plea certificates” out of concern for our members’ own professional liability, civil liability, and for ethical […]
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Patrick Ducharme – 2021 Recipient of the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal
Toronto, ON, August 4, 2021 – The Criminal Lawyers’ Association has recognized the lifetime achievement of prominent Windsor lawyer, Patrick Ducharme. He has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal, which will be presented on November 20, 2021. In the 32-year history of this prestigious award, only twice […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on August 4, 2021
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