Teachers across Canada, including in Ontario are extremely vulnerable to accusations made by students. Whenever a teacher is accused of committing sex crimes, his or her career could be ruined -- regardless of whether allegations are ever proved. The community typically judges an accused teacher long before he or she has had the opportunity to defend against the accusations in court.
According to police, a 45-year-old math teacher who has been an educator for approximately 20 years was arrested on a recent Tuesday. The teacher was assigned to work from home until the court has resolved the case. Reportedly, the arrest followed investigations into accusations that he had a sexual relationship with a student who was 16 years old.
The School District said the accused man was awaiting a bail hearing. In a letter to parents, school officials acknowledged their strict responsibility to ensure a safe environment for the students. Nevertheless, accusations of sex crimes can quickly ruin the reputation of a teacher, who is entitled to the same presumption of innocence that is guaranteed to anyone accused of a crime in Canada.
Regardless of public opinion, allegations of sex crimes are exactly that -- only allegations. Crown prosecutors must actually prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court and by relevant evidence. A criminal defence attorney in Ontario will focus on protecting the rights of the accused and limiting the damage to the client's personal and professional reputation. The lawyer can launch an independent investigation and use the information gathered to prepare a defence that is focused on securing the best possible outcome.
Source: bramptonguardian.com, "Heart Lake Secondary School teacher charged with sexual exploitation of a student", Pam Douglas, June 6, 2017
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