Following a difficult and emotionally-charged sentencing hearing on a hit and run offence, Me Ginzburg appears on CTV News to speak briefly on the matter. The full article can be found here....
Continue reading
It’s no secret that Canadian justice functions on one of the most archaic systems imaginable. It’s 2020, and we live in a glorious era of 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence and virtual reality. And yet, our glorious court system still operates like it did 50 years ago. This may sound like hyperbole, but we’re truly not far away from the days of quill pens and old dusty leather-bound books. It wasn’t so long ago that we heard then Quebec Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée reveal the government’s plan to overhaul the justice system and allow it to “finally enter the digital era”....
Continue reading
For most Canadians, correctional centres are like the underside of a couch. We all know they’re there, and we all know they’re probably filled with a number of unsightly problems that need to be addressed, such as accumulating dust/mold/cobwebs, or long-lost items like pens, TV remotes and cat toys. And yet, the vast majority of us prefer to ignore those dark crevasses and just go about our lives. Because it’s easier that way. Because those dark crevasses are out of sight and out of mind. For a long time, it’s that prejudiced and dismissive way of thinking about correctional facilities that...
Continue reading
These are strange and scary times we’re all living in. It seems that every other day, a new government order is being issued. And for every one of these public decrees there seems to be a corollary infringement of our civil liberties. Despite the difficulty that we all have with any violation of our fundamental constitutional rights, the obvious truth remains: in times of crisis, such drastic government measures become a necessity. It’s the lesser of two evils, if you will. This makes total sense, of course. The liberties of one usually end where the liberties of others begin. So as...
Continue reading
Me Adam Ginzburg (2nd from right) at the 2018 International Oratory Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. Me Ginzburg was the Canadian representative during the event and managed to win 1st place overall. With the opportunity to compete against some of the best orators from across the U.S, and even some from the U.K, this event was a true test of wit, eloquence and overall oratory excellence. For more on Me Ginzburg's win, take a look at the Young Montreal Bar's posted article. Or, contact Ginzburg Legal in Montreal for legal aid....
Continue reading
What to know if you're ordered to appear in court. A first appearance in court can be extremely nerve-racking. Here is a list of what you need to know to prepare for your first court date. What happens at a first appearance in court?: This is NOT a Trial Date. It is you introduction to the court, where you will take the first position in your case (plead guilty or not), collect the prosecution's evidence (disclosure), and set your next court date. What does Disclosure mean?: This is the evidence that the police and the prosecution have against you. They are obligated to...
Continue reading
Me Adam Ginzburg managed to woo the Jury with his eloquent speech on: « Is a dirty martini better served shaken or stirred? » This competition allowed him to compete against some of Montreal's finest orators. The skills displayed in such events can be directly applied to the courtroom. It takes a combination of eloquence, wit and humor to be a truly influential speaker. And such skills were on full display on June 12th at the Quebec Court of Appeal, where the finale took place. Me Ginzburg will now have the honor of representing the Young Bar of Montreal at the 7th edition of...
Continue reading
Solitary confinement. It's a term most of us are pretty familiar with. Yet due to its normalization via popular culture, the brutal and inhuman nature of this practice has been somewhat dulled. Lest we forget, solitary confinement (referred to as segregation in Canada) is the single most severe punishment an inmate can receive, with the exception of the death penalty. It involves complete isolation from the world for 23 hours a day. In theory, it should thus be a last resort. But in reality, it's a common practice. As reported by Vice: "While rules and regulations around segregation can differ between federal and...
Continue reading
We all know cybercrime can cause serious damage. From plain online bullying to sophisticated mega-hacking, the results of cyber attacks can be disastrous, leading to emotional distress and significant financial loss. But generally speaking, no one imagines that online attacks could cause direct physical harm to someone, like a gun or a knife would. Well think again. Through Twitter, a man in Maryland allegedly sent an animated image to Newsweek journalist Kurt Eichenwald, which read "You deserve a seizure for your posts" in large letters with a blinding strobe light. Eichenwald, who was known to suffer from epilepsy, immediately suffered a seizure after...
Continue reading
A recent Quebec Court decision has stated that police officers cannot ask citizens to erase photos on their phones which capture the officers on duty. This adds to the notion that, fundamentally speaking, filming police officers on duty is completely legal. I wrote about this in a previous post. The officers may, under certain conditions, request that you put away your cell phone, but they simply cannot take your cell phone, without warrant, to verify its content and delete certain images. In fact, the Commissaire à la déontologie policière has recently released a statement confirming this policy....
Continue reading