I am pleased to chair this year’s Criminal Law conference for the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia. I was also chairperson in 2011 and 2012. They were excellent and instructive conferences. The audience and speakers included judges, media, journalists, defense counsel and crown prosecutors.
The theme of the 2014 conference is Criminal Law at a Crossroads: New Practice Strategies. Topics that will be covered include civil forfeiture proceedings and charter violations; police-issued process and warrants; expert evidence in drug cases; bail reviews; video testimony; recanting witnesses; pre-trial credit, victim fine surcharges; mandatory minimums; bail reviews; new issues in drinking and driving laws and pardons.
This year’s conference will be held at the Vancouver Hyatt on September 19th, 2014. I look forward to it once again.