With virtually all types of crime, including violent incidents, on the rise, lawyers who do their best to put the bad guys away say they are overwhelmed with the increasing caseload. And one politician wonders where government is on the issue.
Data published by Statistics Canada a few weeks ago bear out the notion that crime has increased over the past several years across Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador. Not only that, but Crown prosecutors face more complex criminal activity. It’s no longer just about blood, fingerprints, eyewitnesses and weapons; there’s DNA, cell phone trails and computer searches.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Crown Attorneys Association says some prosecutors have up to 200 cases on their plate, and sometimes work until early morning preparing for a trial.
PC Justice Critic Helen Conway Ottenheimer believes that Crown attorneys are too important a player in the justice system to allow shortcomings in staffing to impact their ability to always be at the top of their game.
She’s calling on the new minister, Bernard Davis, to order an urgent review of staffing levels in the Crown Attorney’s office instead of opting for silence on the matter.
