I am excited to announce that the return of the popular Women’s Suit Drive later this month.
We are once again accepting women’s suits and professional attire to be donated to law students and newly-qualified lawyers.
…Suit Up: Women’s Suit Drive returning Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we examine what the long-term outcome is if you fabricate an elaborate hoax about a child abduction. Then, we go back to the basics by providing some lessons in how to make and how not to make friends. Finally, we look at some, um, creative solutions that are being employed in law firms to get around pandemic protocols.
Follow the jump to learn more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe!
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 136 Read More »
I know you do not support impaired driving. I know you do not believe that people who are charged with or under investigation for impaired driving offences deserve all the legal support and protection that any other person accused or investigated for any other offence is constitutionally entitled to.
But you’re wrong. And I’d like to ask you to listen, because I want to change your mind.
…An Open Letter to Those Who Say “If You Don’t Want a DUI, Don’t Drink and Drive.”Read More »
An Open Letter to Those Who Say “If You Don’t Want a DUI, Don’t Drink and Drive.” Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at three crazy cases from around the globe. First, we look at a judge who awarded a man $25,000 all to compensate for his lost pornography. Then, we look at an, um, unusual defence to a drug trafficking allegation. Finally, we get one step closer to trial by combat in Ireland.
Check out the greatest weirdest legal stories from around the globe after the jump.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 135 Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at a Russian dissident who foiled his own poisoner. Then, we find a surprising inclusion in the USA’s 5,000-page Covid-relief bill. Finally, the Iranian government throws the book at an Instagrammer for her ‘Zombie Angeline Jolie’ photos.
Follow the jump to learn more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest goings on from around the World.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesday: Volume 134 Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at a woman who uses my favourite excuse ever. Then, we examine why a man in Florida would drive around with a gun sticking out his window. Finally, we look at my favourite criminal nickname of all time.
Follow the jump to learn more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 133 Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at the case of a motor vehicle with a very unusual piece of equipment in it. Then, we examine what happens when you, um, really love trees. Finally, we look at the case of a bride who faked cancer to get more presents on her big day. Ew.
Follow the jump to learn more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe!
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 132 Read More »
When you are building a defence against a traffic ticket, it’s important to do the research. Lawyers spend their lives learning about their chosen area of the law, and here’s the thing: they never stop learning. The law constantly changes and any half-decent lawyer actively works to keep up-to-date with case-law, new legislation and any other developments.
It’s for this reason that you would never see a lawyer advance an argument in Court based on a news story. A story, even from the most trusted of sources, will never be as reliable as a piece of evidence as case law. A piece of news can exist almost in its own bubble in time. When you consume a piece of old news on its own, for example, it’s not immediately obvious if the content of the story has developed since it was published. When it comes to the law, on the other hand, any piece of legislation that is amended has to be clearly labelled. Similarly, any judgement superseded by another judgement will contain a citation to the most up-to-date case.
Why am I bringing this up? Well, a recent case goes to show the dangers of relying on the news for your legal argument. In this brief BC Supreme Court decision, Mr. Pastega, who represented himself, appealed a ticket for use of an electronic device while driving. He explained that he had his phone on his lap which he was using to speak to his wife.
Mr. Pastega argued that he was not holding the phone as defined by the Motor Vehicle Act because it was on his lap. He brought up a news report to support his argument. Presumably, the news story reported on another distracted driving case in which someone had a phone on their lap and was found not guilty.
The BC Supreme Court judge said Mr. Pastega had been misled by the news report, stating: “I am not blaming anyone for that, but the reality is that news is reported in a certain way for a certain purpose, and the analysis of the law is not always as complete as it needs to be.”
I sympathise with Mr. Pastega because, as readers of this blog will know, the law surrounding distracted driving seems to change every week. In recent months, what constitutes “use” and “holding” of an electronic device has gone back and forth. I’ve argued constantly that the law needs to be clarified and unfortunately the appellant in this case got the wrong impression from a news report.
So when people ask why you need to get a lawyer for a traffic ticket case, this case is an excellent example. The law is ever-evolving and news stories may not give the clearest depiction of how a case applies to what happened to you. If the self-represented appellant had sought legal help, they would have been able to tell him that his argument lacked merit.
PSA: Do not base your defence on a news story Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at what not to wear for a court appearance, burgers so good they’re worth losing your pants over, and a billion dollar drugs bust that failed to live up to expectations.
Follow the jumps to see which weird and wacky stories made the cut this week.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 131 Read More »
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at several crazy cases. First, a crybaby ex-president who cannot get a grip on the fact that he lost the election. I think you may already know this one. Then, an oldie but a goodie case out of Britain where we examine the legal test for what is a potato chip. Finally, a woman who engaged in a very entertaining ruse to try to get free chicken.
Follow the jump to learn more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases from around the globe!
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 130 Read More »
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