Criminal Procedure in Canada, 3rd Edition

Criminal Procedure in Canada explains the rules of criminal procedure in a clear, concise manner. Structured chronologically, the relevant rules and procedures are introduced and explained in the same sequence as the criminal process, offering a logical and intuitive organization. The Charter's innumerable effects on the criminal process are addressed seamlessly throughout the book. The authors' backgrounds in practice, academia, and on the bench result in a textbook that is both thorough and insightful.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the criminal process, explaining the rules of criminal procedure clearly and concisely. It is an ideal companion for prosecutors, defence lawyers, law students, and judges.

What's Unique About This Book?

• Easy to use – Chapters are ordered chronologically, structured to mirror the various stages of the criminal process, from investigation and pre-trial procedures to the trial, sentencing, and appeals.
• Ideal for novices and experts – The book provides the novice with the context necessary to appreciate the significance of the rules of criminal procedure, while digging deep on specifics so that experts will find the book an invaluable resource.
• Forward looking – Where there are gaps in the existing rules governing the criminal process, the authors make suggestions as to how they could best be filled. The authors also offer constructive criticism of existing rules in the hopes of advancing future reform.
• Treatment of the Charter – Rather than treating the Charter as a separate topic, constitutional issues are infused throughout the book, and are discussed in the various contexts of criminal procedure.
• Balanced perspective – The authors draw on their varied experiences in academia, on the bench, and within the bar to insightfully explain how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, statutes, and case law all come together in Canada’s criminal procedure rules.

What's New In This Edition
This third edition is fully updated to account for all major developments in the legislation and case law, including discussion of a number of significant Supreme Court of Canada decisions that have an impact on the criminal process, including search and seizure, investigative detention, questioning, bail, trial within a reasonable time, Charter remedies, sentencing, and more. The third edition also addresses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on criminal procedure, including bail, trial procedure, and sentencing.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Prosecutors and Defence lawyers – Both veteran and novice criminal lawyers will find the text to be a concise resource on issues they grapple with on a daily basis, while the exhaustive footnotes will serve as a resource for more in-depth research.
• Judges – Members of the judiciary will be able to conveniently refer to the specific chapter that applies in a given criminal proceeding, benefiting from the extensive case references and fulsome discussion of the rules of criminal procedure and constructive suggestions on navigating gaps in existing rules.
• Justices of the Peace – Justices of the Peace will find this work invaluable, as it addresses all aspects of their role within the criminal justice system, including a detailed discussion regarding search warrants and their issuance, intake procedures, and bail.
• Law students – Law students will find the overview of the Canadian criminal process useful to their study of the criminal justice system in Canada, while appreciating how complex areas of criminal procedure are explained concisely and logically.
• Law libraries – This work will be a central part of any collection on Canadian criminal law and procedure.
• Criminologists – Criminologists will find this book to be a comprehensive reference guide on the formal rules of the Canadian criminal process.