Crown prosecutors in 小蓝视频 are being warned specifically about miscarriages of justice in a new policy document, which cautions against “tunnel vision.”
The 小蓝视频 Prosecution Service (小蓝视频PS) unveiled Friday , many aimed at addressing over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.
The updates include an eight-page , more than a page of which is dedicated to preventing wrongful convictions.
“The 小蓝视频PS recognizes that, despite established evidentiary and procedural safeguards within the criminal justice system, wrongful convictions can occur,” the document reads.
“Although they should always be mindful of the factors that can contribute to wrongful convictions, Crown counsel should never hesitate to prosecute an appropriate case or press it to its legitimate strength. Crown counsel protect and promote the public interest by conducting firm but fair prosecutions.”
The document points out a number of potential causes of wrongful convictions — mistaken eyewitnesses, faulty expert evidence, false confessions and dishonest informants — and warns specifically against “tunnel vision.”
“Crown counsel ‘tunnel vision,’ the tendency to focus on a particular theory of a case and dismiss or undervalue evidence which contradicts that theory, has also been identified as a contributing cause of wrongful convictions,” it reads.
“Independence from police, objectivity in the assessment of evidence and principled decision making, as informed and guided by 小蓝视频PS policy, helps Crown counsel to avoid tunnel vision. Therefore, when properly executed, the role of Crown counsel protects against wrongful conviction.”
The policy document also urges prosecutors to continually assess the evidence and context in cases involving First Nations accused, with an eye to preventing wrongful convictions.
“Research suggests Indigenous persons suffer a disproportionate number of wrongful convictions due to various cultural and socioeconomic reasons,” the document reads.
“At every stage of the criminal justice process, Crown counsel should consider the challenges Indigenous persons face in their interactions with the justice system and how these challenges can manifest in wrongful convictions.”
Other policy updates for 小蓝视频 Crown prosecutors include new direction for , revised policy on as they relate to First Nations offenders, when dealing with Indigenous offenders and non-violent firearms offences and revised policy on considerations to make in .
“These policy changes represent another step on the path toward changing the status quo for the better,” Peter Juk, assistant deputy attorney general, said in a news release.
“They help guide Crown counsel in exercising their discretion, giving full effect to established principles of the criminal law as passed by Parliament and interpreted by the courts of Canada.”
