Defence Lawyers Always Pick Up
When pandemic struck, Criminal Lawyers Association mobilized 1500 members who stepped up to support the justice system across the province.
President @john.struthers put on a master class in leadership, shoulder to shoulder with VPs @DanielBrownLaw, @johnhale, @cassdemelo, and Adam Weisberg.
@ClaOntario worked tirelessly alongside @LAO_Lawyers Duty Counsel to secure release for people who might otherwise have been at high risk of #COVID19 infection while in custody. There are still 7,000 incarcerated people in Ontario... ~60% are presumed innocent & awaiting trial.
For the record... IT’S A BAD IDEA TO CAGE PEOPLE DURING A PANDEMIC.
@Nader_Hasan_law correctly points out that jails are a “fertile breeding grounds for infectious disease.”
Similarly, @mspratt identifies pervasive issues with overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and poor medical care.
Hundreds of people have been released due to combined efforts of @LAO_Lawyers, @ClaOntario, Crown Attorneys, Court Reporters, Clerks, Court Officers and staff.
Regrettably, there are serious concerns about the safety and health of all justice system participants. @ClaOntario will no longer be making in-person appearances after March 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm. It’s too risky.
We are not giving up. Per @johnstruthers: “We will all be available to work remotely and put ourselves at the disposal of the Chief Justice, Regional Senior Justices, Local Administrative Justices, Legal Aid Ontario and on behalf of the clients to act.”
It is now up to the Ontario Court of Justice to implement systems to allow us all to work remotely so we can safely work together while we battle #COVID19.
Special shoutout to the rest of the executive committee: @BBytensky @ssidfreeman (whose rallying call is quoted in the comic), @DeanEmbry, and @JohnChagnon. The Regional Directors, Women’s Director, and Recent Call Directors are also phenomenal.
cc: Monica Rodrigues, David Barrison, @GDeakin1, Brendan Neil, Vikram Singh, Jaime Mor, Matthew Hodgson, Keli Mersereau, Christopher Raimondo, Brett McGarry, Leonardo Russomanno, @CLundLaw, Robert Barr, Jessica Belisle, Ann Marie Stewart, Michael Venturi, George Joseph, @RyanHtn, Lisa Carnelos, Norman Panzica, @jessycadefence, @Halfyard_Law, @ShaunnaKelly, @jkpenman, @megan__savard, @SewrattanLaw, Louis Strezos, @LTThomaslaw, @LisaHJorgensen, Meaghan McMahon, and Andrew Bigioni.
And, of course, HUGE THANK YOU to the volunteers who showed up on behalf of colleagues and clients.