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N.L. government invests in 18 new Crown attorneys amid severe staffing crunch
Newfoundland and Labrador Justice Minister Bernard Davis announced Wednesday afternoon that the provincial government is investing nearly $24 million to improve the province's justice system.... The investment comes after CBC News reported in numerous stories that Crown attorneys in the province were "suffocating" from overwhelming workloads and a critical staffing shortage.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-11-14
Newfoundland to add more Crown prosecutors
Newfoundland and Labrador has agreed to hire more Crown lawyers following cries of a shortage of prosecutors in the province. The “multi-year investment” will include the hiring of 18 new Crown lawyers, according to a news release.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-11-13
Critical shortage of Crown attorneys has ‘gone on way too long’ and is hurting public safety
The Canadian Association of Crown Counsel, an umbrella group for thousands of Crown attorneys and government lawyers across the country is calling for a big boost in the number of provincial prosecutors in Newfoundland and Labrador.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-11-13
Most criminal cases in Ontario now ending before charges are tested at trial
More than half of the criminal charges laid by police in Ontario never make it to trial, according to data from Statistics Canada. The numbers paint a troubling picture of the province’s justice system. More judges, staff, prosecutors and courtrooms needed, says Crown attorneys’ association.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-11-12
Crown attorneys in N.L. are ‘crumbling’ under their workload, and it’s putting the public at risk
Shawn Patten, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Crown Attorneys Association, believes Happy Valley-Goose Bay report recommendations could make workload 'untenable'.... "And right now our office is doing its best to make public safety a priority. But we're crumbling. Our foundation is crumbling."
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-11-06
PC Justice Critic Calling for Review of Staffing Levels in Crown Attorney’s Office
The Newfoundland and Labrador Crown Attorneys Association says some prosecutors have up to 200 cases on their plate, and sometimes work until early morning preparing for a trial. PC Justice Critic Helen Conway Ottenheimer believes that Crown attorneys are too important a player in the justice system to allow shortcomings in staffing to impact their ability to always be at the top of their game.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-08-12
CACC “Outstanding Achievement” (Dennis Theman) Award
The Canadian Association of Crown Counsel is the national Association which represents the collective interests of Crown prosecutors and Crown lawyers. It contributes to helping governments and the public understand issues involving Crown prosecutors in the criminal justice system and Crown civil lawyers in the civil justice system. It addresses issues of Crown lawyers concerning conditions of employment and working conditions and promotes and encourages the professional development of Crown Counsel. Members include representatives of Associations representing criminal and civil Crown lawyers from the ten provinces and from the Federal government.
Background to the Award
This national award was established in 2004 to recognize, honour and celebrate the work of devoted Crown Prosecutors and Crown Lawyers who have shown outstanding dedication to their role as Crown Prosecutor or Crown Counsel and who have shown exceptional support for and have promoted and defended the interests of the Crown and the interests of Crown Counsel.
The CACC Outstanding Award was first presented to and is named for Dennis Theman, in recognition of his perseverance in assisting the Crown employer and the public understand the issues that involve Crown prosecutors in the criminal justice system. It is also in recognition of Dennis Theman’s remarkable dedication to improving the conditions of employment and working conditions for Crown Prosecutors and his promotion and encouragement of their professional development. It also is in recognition of a man who was also an excellent and dedicated Crown Prosecutor.
From his call to the Bar in 1978, Dennis Theman exhibited a passion for issues of social justice and the practice of criminal law. He began his employment as a Crown Prosecutor in Nova Scotia in 1990. He was responsible for training many Crown prosecutors and was a respected role model. He never hesitated to assist other Crown Prosecutors in preparing their cases for trial while at the same time remaining fully prepared and dedicated in each of the matters he was assigned to prosecute. He was also devoted to ensuring the independence of the role of Crown Prosecutor. Dennis Theman served as President of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorney’s Association. During that time, and under his leadership, the Nova Scotia Crown Attorney’s …Eligibility This Award is open to a Crown Counsel, who is a:ideally a member or former member of an Association of the CACC,
Criteria
This Award was created to recognize exceptional contribution and achievements by a criminal or civil Crown Counsel including:
a) outstanding mentorship;
b) outstanding contribution to the organization of Crown lawyers;
c) outstanding perseverance and dedication shown in the role of Crown Counsel;
d) exemplary leadership; and
e) outstanding commitment and service to the members of his or her Association.
This Award is available only to individuals, not Associations and may be presented posthumously. The CACC Executive and/or Nomination Committee Members are not eligible for the Award.
Nomination Procedure
The nominator for the Award must be a member of a CACC. Nominators must provide a brief statement outlining their reasons for nominating the candidate, including any press clippings and any other relevant information to the President of the CACC, or his or her delegate, by the date established for the deadline of nominations. The nomination must indicate that the candidate has been advised of the nomination prior to the deadline and that the candidate has consented (unless the person is deceased).
Selection Process
On the years in which the Award will be open for nominations, the President of the CACC, is to appoint a Nominations Committee to solicit nominations, recommend candidates to the Executive, and administer the Award and to arrange for the Award ceremony. The composition of the Nomination Committee is at the discretion of the President but should consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) members. It should include at least one representative of a Criminal and a Civil Association. It may include the Previous President of the CACC, members of the Executive, the previous award winner and/or Dennis Theman.
The recipient of the Award shall be chosen from the candidates by a majority vote. More than one person may be awarded the Award in a given year. The Committee may also decide not to present the Award in any given year.
Presentation
The Award will be presented at a program or other function as is determined by the President.
Award
The Award will consist of a special plaque to be given to the recipient of the Award.
Deadline for Applications
Nominations and supporting material must be filed with the President of the CACC by a deadline specified each year. The deadline may be extended in circumstances that the President determines appropriate.
