Reconciling Gladue and Victim Protection: What the Supreme Court’s R. v. Cope Means for Vancouver Criminal Defence
In Vancouver criminal defence practice, few issues generate more careful advocacy—or more public debate—than the sentencing of Indigenous offenders. On October 9, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada delivered a closely divided 5-4 decision in R. v. Cope, 2026 SCC 32,...
AI in the courtroom – what not to do
Artificial intelligence is changing how lawyers research, draft, and communicate. Courts are now confronting how it should be used in the most solemn part of a criminal case: sentencing. A recent Arizona decision shows how quickly the technology can cross a line, and why criminal defence counsel must be ready to challenge it.
Twenty-Three Kilograms, Time Served: R v A and the Individualized Sentence
In February 2025, a 19-year-old Māori mother from Auckland was arrested at Vancouver International Airport. She was about to board a flight home. In her checked suitcase were 23 kilograms of methamphetamine at 99% purity, worth as much as NZ$8.6 million at street...
R. v. Berg: A Criminal Trial Is Not a Credibility Contest — What the Supreme Court’s New Ruling Means for Accused Persons
In June, the Supreme Court of Canada released R. v. Berg, 2026 SCC 21, and every criminal defence lawyer in BC should have it bookmarked. The decision tackles a question I confront constantly in my Vancouver practice: in a trial that comes down to two conflicting...
New Bail Laws in Canada: A Vancouver Criminal Lawyer’s Guide to Bill C-14
Jason Tarnow, Criminal Defence Lawyer — Vancouver, BC | July 20, 2026 | 8 min read Jason Tarnow defends clients at bail hearings and trials in courts across British Columbia and the Yukon. On July 15, 2026, the most significant overhaul of Canada's bail regime in a...
Everything Changed on July 15: Canada’s New Bail Regime Explained
Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, received Royal Assent on June 15, 2026, and its bail and sentencing provisions took effect one month later. It amends the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the National Defence Act across more than 80...
Understanding Canada’s New Bail and Sentencing Reforms – Implications for Vancouver Criminal Defence
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer with years of experience navigating the complexities of Canadian criminal law in British Columbia courts, I’ve seen firsthand how legislative changes can reshape the justice system. With the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill...
Navigating the New Reality: How Bill C-14’s Bail and Sentencing Reforms will reshape Criminal Defence in Vancouver and across Canada
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer with years of experience advocating for clients in British Columbia courts, I’ve seen firsthand how shifts in the Criminal Code can dramatically alter the landscape for those facing charges. Just days ago, on June 15, 2026, the...
Bill C-14: How Canada’s New Bail and Sentencing Reforms Are Reshaping Criminal Defence in Vancouver and Beyond
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer with years of experience navigating the complexities of the Criminal Code and Charter rights in British Columbia courts, I’ve seen firsthand how shifts in bail and sentencing can profoundly affect accused persons, their families,...
Bill C-14 Bail Reform: What Vancouver Accused and Defence Lawyers Need to Know About Canada’s Sweeping Criminal Code Changes
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer with years of experience navigating British Columbia courts, I’ve seen firsthand how shifts in bail laws can dramatically affect the lives of those accused of crimes. In the past week, fresh developments around Bill C-14, the...
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