Justice Lauzon calls out the bail system
Justice of the Peace Julie Lauzon sits regularly in the main Ottawa bail court – where the liberty of people who are accused, but presumed innocent until proven guilty, is decided on a daily basis. In a recent National Post opinion piece, Justice Lauzon calls out the bail system, writing that Ottawa’s bail court, and others like it, “have devolved into dysfunctional and punitive bodies, devoid of the rule of law”. These are serious claims, but they could not be more welcome or timely.
Being a Surety for Bail
Many of us will be asked at some point in our lives to act as a surety for a partner, family member, loved one, co-worker or friend. What does being a surety mean? What are a surety’s responsibilities? What do I need to know to become a surety?
How does BAIL work in Canada?
What is bail? What is a bail hearing? Who has to “show cause”, and what does that mean? What are the grounds for detention? How does bail work in Canada?