Judges’ feud…

Jan. 14, 2013

 Globe and Mail – Sean Fine
Court cases to stir judges’ feud with Ottawa over sentencing rules

Smart Justice has repeatedly noted the push back from Canada’s judges around the issue of giving time served credit against sentence, limited according to the Truth in Sentencing Act to a one for one ratio, 1.5 in unusual circumstances.  The judges have been recognizing that the failure of the over-crowded system to offer programs is making almost all cases exceptional with a ratio of 1.5. Three specific cases will go to the Supreme Court for decision.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/court-cases-to-stir-judges-feud-with-ottawa-over-sentencing-rules/article16293177/?cmpid=rss1 

 Canadian Legal Newswire – Charlotte Santry
RCMP found partially liable for crash after chase

The Supreme Court of BC has ruled a 20% liability for the RCMP who engaged in a pursuit resulting in a highway crash and two deaths.  The Court ruled that the RCMP had breeched the duty of care owed to others on the highway.  Observers expect that the case will be further appealed. http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/1875/rcmp-found-partially-liable-for-crash-after-chase.html?utm_source=responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CLNewswire_20140113 

 World Health Organization
Violence Prevention: The Evidence

The seven briefings on how to prevent violence for women and girls, men and boys from the World Health can possibly boost the effectiveness of preventative measures.  The briefings are available in English, French and Spanish and can be downloaded individually or as a unit.  These briefings are meant to inform policy makers and funders.   http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/4th_milestones_meeting/publications/en/index.html

Port City Daily (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Business leaders to host session on reducing crime 

The direct involvement of the business community is a little unusual as is the effort by the business community to highlight the impact of crime on business and children.  The focus of this effort is economic development impact and summer slippage by the children.  http://portcitydaily.com/2014/01/13/business-leaders-to-host-session-on-reducing-crime 

Oparh’s Network (US)
Oparh and Restorative Justice 

A four part Youtube series that includes face-to-face encounters between victims and offenders.  The series involves murders and rapes with convicted criminals who relive the crimes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UgabsOQCa0 

 The Washington Times (US) – Patrice Hill
Government benefits cushion middle class, poor from income blows 

The income gap between the rich and the rest has been adopted as a focus by the Obama administration and has been much in the news.  This article is suggesting that government benefits of all kinds are part of the solution to income disparity.  The benefits, more than for rich people, protect the poor and middle income from income loss by tax programs.  Middle incomes are derived more from salary and are more stable and subject to lower rates of fluctuation, helped more by  the tax programs. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/13/government-benefits-cushion-income-blows-form-midd   Related article: Huffington Post – Terry O’Neill    Actions Speak Louder Than Words on Income Inequality   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-oneill/actions-speak-louder-than_b_4594374.html

 Daily Mail (UK)
Mother forces ‘cyber bullying daughter’ into selling her iPod AND posing with a shaming poster confessing her crime

 A mother in North Carolina has confronted her daughter’s bullying behaviour in an unusual way.  Punishment includes the sale of the iPod and a photo of the daughter with her misbehaviour noted on a sign held up.  Critics think the mother is bullying??? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2538640/Mother-shames-cyber-bully-daughter-forcing-pose-poster-saying-selling-iPod-punishment.html#ixzz2qNkM8RwZ   

 The Atlantic
Obamacare Is a Powerful New Crime-Fighting Tool

About two thirds of the 730,000 inmates released annually are leaving prison with addiction or mental health problems.  The health care offers an opportunity to reduce recidivism in that for the first time there is a way to pay for the treatment.  http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/01/obamacare-is-a-powerful-new-crime-fighting-tool/283058