Funding a proper defence compensates for bad police behaviour, by preventing it.

Knowing that their criminal charges will face a defence lawyer's scrutiny, will give rogue officers pause before they abuse their powers. 

This petition is to apply leverage to rogue officers who abuse their powers, while not doing the job they are paid to do -- investigate intelligently and enforce lawfully.

Legal Aid BC Policy, at present, enables police to abuse their powers.  If not facing a jail sentence, Legal Aid BC only provides funding if the accused accepts an early resolution -- i.e. accepts accountability. 

The accused's choice becomes plead to a crime they didn't commit or they're on their own. 

Why not provide a defence before the plea to ensure the lower income accused is not vulnerable to police abuse of power?

We urge the government of British Columbia to address this pressing issue by increasing Legal Aid BC overall budget by 10%, so it meets real-world requirements. 

Allocate $5000 (on average) for 3000+ lower income accused for a defence lawyer's services from approval through plea.

The benefits of funding a defence include reduced squandered prosecutor time, rebuilding trust in the justice system (and police) and safeguarding the Charter Rights of the most vulnerable among us.

Through a secure portal, offer contracts at ≅ market rates to act as defence, to interested defence lawyers.  Legal Aid BC lawyer compensation rates are often below defence lawyer's overhead rates, thus the challenge to find defence lawyers willing to perform Legal Aid Policy reduced functions.

Take it from the Solicitor General's budget, as insurance against misuse of criminal prosecution and incentive to move forward with BC Police Reform. 

In BC, it is not necessary to commit a crime to be charged with one. The risk is greatest to lower income residents in a BC RCMP jurisdiction. Here's a more detailed explanation:

 

 

 

BC Crown Counsel Policy prefers stays; however, criminal procedure allows for withdrawals before plea (3-19). There should be sufficient evidence for the defence to review and negotiate a withdrawal, or a plea, if warranted. 

A defence lawyer's protection should allow charges that should be withdrawn, to be withdrawn, rather than further endangering the falsely accused waiting for the prosecutor to stay the case, many months later.

BC's criminal prosecution related policies allow that to happen.   Many accused rely on thinly spread pro bono representation or even go without representation, leading to unjust outcomes. 

Sign the petition today and be part of an incremental change for a just and fair BC justice system.

Prosecutors are protected, police are protected, but not the accused.