On behalf of Nicholas St-Pierre avocat / lawyer posted in juvenile crimes on Tuesday, August 8, 2017.
In criminal proceedings, rules must be followed on both sides of the bench. Failure to comply with Ontario law in court proceedings can result in a mistrial. This was the case with a recent trial involving drug charges in Ottawa. After a judge privately questioned an investigating officer in his chambers, a mistrial was declared.
An accused person has a right to be at his or her own trial. When the judge questioned an officer privately, he was taking testimony without the presence of the accused in the case. This violation was taken seriously, and a mistrial was called in the Ottawa case.