Pubdate: Mon, 01 Apr 2002
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Chris Donald
Note: Parenthetical remark provided by the Sun editor; headline provided by 
Newshawk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

A NOVEL APPROACH TO JURISPRUDENCE

I HAVE seen no better indictment of the stupidity of zero-tolerance 
approaches to drugs than your story about a teenager being suspended for 
drugs on the say-so of a dog's nose ("Teen smelled guilty," March 28), but 
with no drugs being found. A canine jury pronouncing guilt is certainly a 
novel approach to jurisprudence, but will it really stand up to a Charter 
challenge? I can think of no better way to teach teenagers contempt for the 
law than such obviously arbitrary and unjust actions. Welcome to the 21st 
century, kids, and repeat after me: you are guilty until proven innocent, 
you are guilty until proven innocent ...

Chris Donald

Dartmouth, N.S.

(Bizarre)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom