Criminal Law | Queen's Certificate in Law

Sexual Assault Defined: the Supreme Court and the Barton case

Content warning: this podcast contains graphic details that may be disturbing to listeners. Professor Lisa Kerr discusses a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision in May 2019 ordering a new trial for Bradley Barton, the Ontario trucker accused of killing Indigenous woman Cindy Gladue.

Keep Calm and Party On... or Stop! Municipal "Nuisance Party" Bylaws Explained

Are municipal bylaws targeting "nuisance parties" fair -- or prejudicial? We take a look at Kingston, Ontario's nuisance party legislation.

Watch: check. Wallet: check. Coat: check?

What happens when your coat gets lifted at the club? Does the establishment owe you anything -- and what does actual Canadian case law have to say about it?

Woman being crushed by a fine. Art: vdesrochers.com

Crime pays, but not the way you think: Victim Surcharges

There’s a classic saying that crime doesn’t pay. In fact, victim surcharges ensure that criminals pay for their crimes on top of the sentences they receive. But what exactly is a mandatory victim surcharge? How does it work? And why did Canada’s highest court strike it down?

A Supreme Farewell to Victim Surcharges

Victim surcharges are no more -- thanks to our Supreme Court -- but what were they, and what does this mean? Criminal law expert Lisa Kerr explains.

Breaking Solitary. Art: Val Desrochers, vdesrochers.com

Solitary Confinement in Canada & Bill C-83

What exactly is solitary confinement? What laws empower the Correctional Services of Canada to resort to it? And what does Bill C-83 purport to change?

A look inside solitary (and the promise of reform)

Solitary! The Liberals say they're ending it. But I thought we didn't have solitary in Canada, so what are they ending? Who does this affect? Find out with professor Lisa Kerr.

Presumed Innocent: Fundamentals of Canadian Law Podcast 005

Why is it the bedrock of our criminal justice system? How does it level the playing field of one person versus all of society? And… is it really as venerable and ancient a principle as we think it is?

The Brains and Brawn of Criminal Law: Mens Rea and Actus Reus

At the most fundamental level, criminal law is based around a single Latin phrase: “Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea”, which translates to “an act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty”.

Whose law is it anyway? A guide to Canadian criminal law

Almost everyone in Canada has dealt with criminal law at some point – a criminal penalty can include a simple fine like a parking ticket on through more serious punishment for serious crimes.