A group of justice critics, including two retired judges, spoke out Thursday against the federal government’s omnibus crime bill, saying they worry it could result in a “litany of negative consequences” for the justice system.
The judges, retired chief Yukon judge Barry Stuart and former Ontario Superior Court judge James Chadwick, said they had yet to see evidence that bill C-10 would reduce crime or the already heavy load on the justice system.
Chadwick said he worries the mandatory minimum sentences required in the Safe Streets and Communities Act could lead to fewer pleas and more trials that last longer.
The longer those trials last, the more likely it may be that the case gets thrown out because of a delay in justice, he said.
“One size does not fit all in the sentencing structure,” Chadwick told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa.
No comments:
Post a Comment