Paul J Henderson: Abbotsford murder charge a reminder that destitute people have the most to fear from one another
Statistically speaking, if you don’t want to get murdered, don’t join a gang, be in a relationship, or be homeless
…May 2026
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 399
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Advertising the Crime
Some defendants make the prosecutor’s job almost too easy. They post the evidence. They wear the evidence. They drive around with the evidence stuck to the back of the car. Every so often they go further and explain the whole thing directly to the officer at the side of the road. This week’s stories come from Buffalo, suburban Kansas City, and a small town in Wales. They do not have much in common except for one detail. In each of these cases, the defendant made an unforced contribution to the file.
I tell people all the time that the right to remain silent exists for a reason. It is not just something they say on American police shows. It is a real Canadian constitutional protection, and the smarter end of my client list takes it seriously. The people in this week’s stories did not get the memo.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 399 Read More »
Can You Call a Friend to Get a Lawyer’s Name If You Are Arrested?
When an individual is detained or arrested, the Charter provides a person the opportunity to retain and instruct counsel without delay. That means any lawyer you want.
But what if you don’t know any lawyers? Should a person have a right to call a third party to get the name of a lawyer or a referral while they are in custody?
While this right is a cornerstone of the justice system, the recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling in R. v. Rai 2026 ONSC 567 shows where that shield begins and ends. The case specifically looks at Section 10(b) of the Charter, exploring whether a the right to contact a lawyer includes a constitutionally protected right to have a private conversation with a non-lawyer third party to obtain legal contact information.
…Can You Call a Friend to Get a Lawyer’s Name If You Are Arrested?Read More »
Can You Call a Friend to Get a Lawyer’s Name If You Are Arrested? Read More »
Chromatic Counsel: How Attorneys Build Influence in Court: Kyla Lee on Law, Media & Perception
Kyla has appeared at all levels of court in Canada, including the Supreme Court, and has built a reputation not only as a strong defense Attorney but also as a public educator through her podcast Driving Law and frequent media contributions.
In this conversation, we explore:
What most people misunderstand about criminal defense law
How attorneys build credibility and influence in the courtroom
The realities of high-stakes legal work and managing pressure
The role of media and public education in modern law practice
How perception and presence shape legal outcomes in subtle ways
And a fun discussion on color, presence, and how visual cues impact authority
Kyla Lee on CBC’s On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko: Soapbox Social: Vancouver mayor found to have harassed councillor by investigator
An investigation into Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s behaviour has found that he breached the city’s code of conduct and misused his influence to personally attack Coun. Sean Orr shortly after Orr was elected in 2025…
…Driving Law Episode 452: Fake Parking Tickets, Prosecutorial Misconduct & AI Crash Videos
In Episode 452 of Driving Law, Kyla Lee and Paul Doroshenko discuss a strange encounter in downtown Vancouver involving a driver who allegedly attempted to avoid paying for parking by placing an old parking ticket on the windshield of a different vehicle. The discussion explores whether the conduct could amount to fraud or the use of a forged document, and raises broader questions about compliance with everyday laws and public attitudes toward enforcement.
…Driving Law Episode 452: Fake Parking Tickets, Prosecutorial Misconduct & AI Crash VideosRead More »
When Police Can Demand Your Blood: Lessons from a Recent Mission Impaired Driving Investigation
Most British Columbia drivers know that if they are pulled over on suspicion of impaired driving, they can be asked to blow into a roadside screening device. Far fewer know that, in certain circumstances, the police can demand a sample of their blood.
A recent Mission RCMP investigation is a useful reminder that blood demands are real, they are used, and they carry significant legal consequences. But they are also among the most legally scrutinized tools in a Crown prosecutor’s impaired driving file.
…Impaired Driving Update – BC Edition: Volume 24
Welcome to British Columbia’s only weekly DUI law update newsletter. This newsletter contains the most cutting-edge information, the newest case law, and helpful practice tips for DUI defence in BC.
Authored by Kyla Lee, BC’s Impaired Driving Update is released weekly on Thursdays.
What’s inside:
- Impaired Driving Defence Tip
- IRP of the Week
- Decision of the Week
- Kyla’s Insight
- Resources
Impaired Driving Update – BC Edition: Volume 24 Read More »
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 398
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: When Court Staff Screw Up
The headlines from a courtroom are usually about whoever is sitting at counsel table. This week the more interesting characters are sitting at the desk along the side of the room, or standing by the door, or in some cases not in the room at all anymore. Three recent stories about court staff who did things that nobody who works in a courtroom is supposed to do.
The first one broke today.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 398 Read More »
No More Second Road Test – and Tougher Rules for Riders: BC’s 2026 Licensing Overhaul
This summer, British Columbia will roll out the most significant changes to its Graduated Licensing Program in more than a decade, along with an entirely new Motorcyclist Licensing Program.
For most drivers the changes look like administrative tweaks. For anyone currently holding a Class 7 Novice licence, or thinking about getting a Class 6 motorcycle licence, the changes are anything but minor.
If you are a new driver, a parent of a new driver, or a rider, here is what you need to know. And why fighting a small ticket today may matter more than it used to.
…No More Second Road Test – and Tougher Rules for Riders: BC’s 2026 Licensing OverhaulRead More »
No More Second Road Test – and Tougher Rules for Riders: BC’s 2026 Licensing Overhaul Read More »
