A year of insightful commentary about Alberta legal issues

The lawyers at Dunn & Associates covered a wide range of criminal law in 2022.

Greg Dunn kicked it off in January by noting that resource-rich Alberta led the country in fraud investigations. White-collar crime in Alberta can take many forms

Later that month, Vincent Semenuk wrote about the penalities for theft and fraud, with 14-year prison terms as the maximum punishment for the latter crime. Large theft and fraud offences can result in jail sentences

In February, Matthew Deshaye discussed how trials were being presumptively adjourned three or four times due to COVID-19. “That is simply not fair, as everyone deserves their day in court …  no one wants the stigma of a criminal charge hanging over their head,” he wrote. Justice delayed is justice denied, COVID-19 or not

Later that month, Semenuk explored what sentences are given for creating or sharing child pornography. “In Alberta, convictions for such offences are almost certain to be followed by jail sentences ranging from a few months to several years,” he stated. Jail is almost a certainty with child porn convictions

He returned to the same topic later that month by discussing what defences are available to those charged with child pornography offences. Defences for those who are facing child porn charges

In April, Deshaye discussed the truckers’ protest in Ottawa and Coutts, Alta. “We have to keep in mind that the right to protest is fundamental in a free and democratic society,” he wrote. Inconvenience caused by protests is a price worth paying

He returned to the topic of the protest later that month, discussing what charges participants in the truckers’ protest could face. The charge of mischief when it comes to protesters

Later that month, Semenuk discussed how any trial must be held in a “reasonable” amount of time. “Sadly, that is not happening on a routine basis in the Alberta justice system at present, which opens up a possible defence for many people facing charges,” he wrote. All criminal trials must be completed in a ‘reasonable’ time

In May, Deshaye looked at whether Alberta needs its own provincial police force. Now may be the time for an Alberta Provincial Police Service

Semenuk continued to discuss police at the end of that month, noting that he was encouraged to see that Alberta was considering having a civilian board oversee police forces in the province. Now may be the time for an Alberta Provincial Police Service

In July, Semenuk discussed the crime of sextortion, noting it often starts with what seems to be an innocent conversation between two people, but then it grows into blackmail. Sharing intimate images can lead to sextortion charges

Later that month he turned his attention to what has been dubbed revenge porn, explaining that occurs when someone posts or shares intimate images or videos of another person without their consent for vengeful purposes. Revenge porn is a growing phenomenon in Canada

In August, Deshaye noted that the many media reports focused on whether members of the trucker’s protest should be granted bail. “While most people have some understanding about bail, they may not fully understand what it means and why it is such a crucial part of our justice system,” he wrote. Bail: a crucial element of the Canadian justice system

In September, Semenuk turn his attention to break and enters. “It is one of the most common offences in Canada – and also one of the most misunderstood, as the charge can be laid even if there is no forced entry,” he wrote. Break and enters decreasing nationally, but not in Calgary

Later that month Semenuk discussed the rash of robberies at pharmacies and cannabis shops across the province. “Stores selling cannabis were vulnerable since they were required by provincial legislation to completely cover their windows so cannabis products were not visible to those passing by,” he wrote. Alberta’s pharmacies and cannabis shops targeted by robbers

In October, Dunn discussed how catalytic converter theft is on the rise across Canada, especially in Alberta. Rare metals make catalytic converters a target for theft

Later that month, he looked at intimate partner violence, noting that “spousal and dating violence accounts for one in every four violent crimes reported to police.” Intimate partner violence does not have to be physical

In November, Deshaye discussed what is involved in a criminal breach of trust, noting “this charge is most commonly laid where an employee steals from their employer. Employee theft is typically involved in a criminal breach of trust

Later that month, Dunn discussed how the crime of fraud has moved online, noting there were nearly 40,000 incidents of cyber-related fraud across the nation in 2021. Fraud is a ‘high-volume’ crime that has moved online

In December, Dunn discussed rural crime, noting that “the rural crime rate in the Prairies is about 36 to 42 percent higher than in urban centres.” Rural crime is on the increase across the Prairies

Later that month, Deshaye address the issue of hate crimes in Alberta, noting that hate crime complaints jumped 47 percent in Edmonton with 115 reports in 2021. Reports of hate crimes are surging in Alberta’s capital city

Dunn closed out the year with a report about organized crime in Alberta. Organized crime operations on the increase across Alberta