Pubdate: Thu, 20 Feb 2014
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Jeremy Nuttall
Page: 5
Referenced: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2012_1/

B.C. JUDGE STRIKES DOWN MANDATORY DRUG SENTENCES

A B.C. Provincial Court judge ruled mandatory minimum sentences for
drug convictions are unconstitutional and instead handed down a
191-day sentence on top of time served to an offender Wednesday.

The controversial one year minimum sentences were part of 2012's
federal Safe Streets and Communities Act.

Joseph Lloyd was convicted on Sept. 13, 2013 for possession of small
amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

Lloyd's lawyer David Fai said Judge Joseph Galati found the minimum
sentences were not a reasonable limit to infringements in a free and
democratic society.

"The crime rate is down to the 1972 levels, it's been steadily
dropping since 1991 - there's no justification for bringing in this
draconian legislation except political," Fai said. "This appeals to
the Conservatives' base - they can say they're tough on crime."

Fai said he expects the Crown to appeal the ruling. If an appeal is
successful his client could end up having to finish the full-year
sentence, even if his 191-day sentence has already been completed.
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MAP posted-by: Matt