Police carrying riot gear, including gas masks and tear-gas guns, are on the ground making dozens of arrests in Downtown Ottawa. A Vancouver criminal lawyer is predicting if many people are charged at the same time this could lead to a huge burden on the legal system.
On Friday, Ottawa Police reported there have been over 100 arrests and almost two dozen vehicles have been towed away as they attempt to wrest back control of the nation’s capital from a determined group of entrenched demonstrators.
And if trial deats need to be set for all those arrested, criminal lawyer Micheal Shapray warns that Ontario — especially Ottawa — will be seeing backlogs in the court system.
Read More: More than 100 arrested in Ottawa as tensions boil over in nation’s capital
Interim police chief Steve Bell says those arrested have been charged with various offences including mischief.
Mischief is just one of the charges protesters may be facing Shapray says.
Shapray explains mischief is a very serious offence under the criminal code list of can be very serious.
“It’s generally an offence that’s related to property and prohibiting the use of property or damaging property.”
Bell also says officers have been met with taunts and slurs throughout their time managing the protesters. Shapray says this could lead to additional charges.
“They can be charged with obstructing a peace officer in the execution of their duties, they could also be charged with failing to comply with a court order,” he said.
Those who directed the protest may see more serious offences like conspiracy or counselling charges.
“The people who are higher up and are the directing minds, that they can prove have been directing people to do things or counselling people to do things. ”
For those who don’t plea or reach a deal, Shapray says a criminal trial in Canada can take as long as 18 months.
– With files from Sonia Aslam, Michael Talbot and Lucas Casaletto
