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Are Standardized Field Sobriety Tests effective in predicting cannabis impairment?

standardized field sobriety tests like the walk and turn are not always effective

Police officers use standardized field sobriety tests (SFST) at the roadside when deciding whether or not a suspected impaired driver should be taken back to the station for further breath or blood tests. While approved roadside screening devices are widely used across Canada to detect alcohol impairment, drug screening devices are not as common. While the government approved the Draeger DrugTest 5000 for police use, the portable devices, which test saliva for the presence of THC, are not always reliable. As a result, some police forces opted not to use them and many still rely on the good old-fashioned SFST in drug-impaired driving investigations.

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Are Standardized Field Sobriety Tests effective in predicting cannabis impairment?Read More »

Are Standardized Field Sobriety Tests effective in predicting cannabis impairment? Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 110

This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at the inevitable consequences of not making a pizza to a customer’s liking. Then, we examine how a lawyer carries out his ethical obligations to protect his client and others while attending court in a pandemic. Finally, we look at one of the awesome accommodations that the Virginia State Bar is giving to bar exam test takers.

Follow the jump to read more of this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe!

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Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 110Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 110 Read More »

Disputing a traffic ticket that you’ve already paid

Our office routinely gets calls from people who have received a traffic ticket, paid it, and then wish to dispute the ticket late. Typically, the reason for the change of heart is that the individual did not realize or was led to believe that the ticket did not carry any points. People often come to this impression as a result of conversations with the officer, or inaccurate information given to them by ICBC.

Disputing a ticket after you have paid it can be very difficult. But it is not impossible. Two recent BC Supreme Court Cases identify why it is important, however, to seek legal advice before filing such a dispute.

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Disputing a traffic ticket that you’ve already paidRead More »

Disputing a traffic ticket that you’ve already paid Read More »

Non-conviction records disproportionately affect minorities

non-conviction record can be a ball and chain

It’s time to address a problem in the Canadian justice system. The current situation with non-conviction records is simply wrong and illogical. It needs to change.

This blog will explore why the current use and availability of non-conviction records disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and people with mental illnesses.

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Non-conviction records disproportionately affect minoritiesRead More »

Non-conviction records disproportionately affect minorities Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 109

This week  on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we start with  a case of ramen-related revenge for social media harassment. Then, we look at what happens when you steal from a veterinary office without understanding how drugs affect humans differently than animals. Finally, we look at a lawyer with a very creative approach to a website biography.

Follow the jump to read more of the weirdest and wackiest legal stories from around the globe!

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Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 109Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 109 Read More »

The Unintended Race-Based Consequences of ICBC’s Insurance Changes

Last year, changes came into effect with ICBC policies that now require a vehicle owner to list on the insurance policy the other individuals who will drive the vehicle. As most British Columbians are now aware, your insurance rates are directly impacted by the insurance history of the other people that you list.

But the flip side of this is that if you loan your vehicle to someone not listed on the policy, you may be in a situation where the vehicle is uninsured as your coverage will not extend to the unlisted drivers. There are exceptions to this rule, but that can be the case.

The consequence of this is not just that you have to pay more for your insurance. Rather, this gives the police greater authority to conduct arbitrary traffic stops of vehicles. Which also gives the police greater authority to target and harass people of colour.

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The Unintended Race-Based Consequences of ICBC’s Insurance ChangesRead More »

The Unintended Race-Based Consequences of ICBC’s Insurance Changes Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 108

This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at how Austria’s morality laws really, um, stink. Then we examine a driving offence that even I would struggle to find a defence to. And finally, we head on over to Florida for the case of a man who decided a fake name was better than his real one…  and I’m not sure about that.

Follow the jump to read this week’s roundup of Weird and Wacky legal cases from around the globe.

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Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 108Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 108 Read More »

Alberta’s New Drunk Driving Law Will Ruin More Lives Than It Saves

Alberta’s New Drunk Driving Law Will Ruin Lives

There has been a great deal of discussion about Alberta’s new proposed impaired driving law, and how it will save lives. The government points to the so-called success of the BC Immediate Roadside Prohibition scheme as a basis to conclude that imposing these measures to decriminalize drunk driving will lead to fewer impaired-driving deaths.

But the reality is that while it is arguable (though not proven) that more lives will be saved, the outcome will be that more lives will be ruined.

To find out how this law will ruin more lives than it saves, read on.

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Alberta’s New Drunk Driving Law Will Ruin More Lives Than It SavesRead More »

Alberta’s New Drunk Driving Law Will Ruin More Lives Than It Saves Read More »

What is Even Going On With Traffic Court?

Traffic court may be set to get back up and running in BC again. Or is it? Unfortunately, the information that disputants are getting is not clear and not well-organized.

On April 30, 2020, the BC Provincial Court updated its pandemic response procedures and adjourned most court appearances until after July 3, 2020. But one set of court appearances was only pushed forward a few weeks: traffic court.

Traffic court was pushed forward until May 29, 2020 and then again until June 15, 2020.

And on June 12, 2020, the BC Provincial Court released an announcement to the effect that traffic court dates were adjourned. Without a beginning or an end. Just generally adjourned. And no anticipated date of court commencing again.

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What is Even Going On With Traffic Court?Read More »

What is Even Going On With Traffic Court? Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 107

This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at a legal battle in Vancouver fought over cannabis and a toy store. Then, we go back in time to visit a dispute over meat size…. no, not what you’re thinking. And we top it all off with a Florida woman accused of a hamburger crime.

Follow the jump to read more of this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe!

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Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 107Read More »

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 107 Read More »

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