Tips and News from Akram Law
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The Impact of Race and Cultural Bias in Calgary’s Criminal Justice System
Systemic Bias vs. Individual Misconduct Systemic bias refers to patterns within institutions that unintentionally produce unequal outcomes for certain groups, even when no one is deliberately acting in a discriminatory way. It differs from overt discrimination, which involves clear, intentional prejudice or unequal treatment based on race or culture. In Calgary’s criminal justice context, systemic…
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Calgary’s Use of Expert Witnesses in Criminal Defence Cases
What Is an Expert Witness in Canadian Criminal Law? In Canadian criminal law, an expert witness is a qualified professional who provides opinion evidence to assist the court in understanding complex or technical matters beyond the knowledge of an average person. Unlike a lay witness who testifies about what they personally saw, heard, or experienced…
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How Defence Lawyers Handle Intoxication as a Legal Defence in Calgary
Legal Framework Governing Intoxication in Canada The legal treatment of intoxication in Canada is primarily governed by the Criminal Code. While intoxication may be relevant to whether an accused had the necessary mens rea, Parliament has placed clear limits on its use as a defence particularly for violent offences. Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code…