Province updates progress made in making judicial system more accessible
Posted Jul 15, 2013 6:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta’s Justice Minister says the government is working hard to improve the provinces judicial system.
“We are committed to making changes to the justice system and those changes are paying off,” said Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis.
His comments follow significant progress in making Alberta’s Criminal justice system more efficient and accessible.
In April, the Crown Prosecution Service released the independent report: “Injecting a Sense of Urgency”.
The document focuses on preventing delays for the trial of serious and violent cases.
Denis says, “I’m very pleased with the progress made so far to ensure those charged with serious and violent offences have their cases heard in court. Assistant Deputy Minister Lepp has my full support to continue making these necessary changes.”
The report reviewed the circumstances of a case involving a sexual assault charge in Airdrie that was judicially stayed after it was found there had been an unreasonable delay to reach trial.
The report identified immediate and long-term steps to help make sure all cases involving serious and/or violent crimes reach trial.
As a result, a promised 90 day update report has been produced.
The increased use of direct indictments, one of the key actions of the report, could take weeks or months off of the length of time it takes a case to reach trial.
In 2010, there were 10 direct indictments filed in Alberta.
As of June 30, 2013, there have already been 35 filed.
“The work does not end here, there are still significant actions we will take to further our success,” said Greg Lepp, Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Justice.
