Hicks Adams

The incident and others like it underscore a need for improved health care and oversight inside Ontario’s carceral facilities.

Used razors issued to inmates at Ontario jail, ministry review underway Inmates at the provincial facility were subsequently recommended to seek out testing for hepatitis B and C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). No such infections have been reported.

The Supreme Court of Canada has laid out new criteria to allow certain complex criminal prosecutions to stretch beyond the strict deadlines imposed by a previous landmark decision on trial delays – a decade-old ruling that has seen thousands of criminal cases tossed out. https://ow.ly/95iH50Z7aLU

Supreme Court clarifies details on strict Jordan time limits on criminal trials Justices reaffirm that some trials can be exempt from the timelines set in the court’s 2016 decision

Ontario is moving forward with a public registry that will allow the OPP to name high-risk offenders online, aligning the province with federal and Alberta approaches to community safety notifications.

The proposal, introduced through the Solicitor General's annual omnibus justice bill, raises important legal questions about offender rights, privacy, and the limits of public disclosure.

https://ow.ly/m3Nc50Z4f79

Website naming high-risk offenders to launch in Ontario next year: province | CBC News The province has tabled legislation that will allow the OPP commissioner to publish information on offenders whenever a police chief in the province issues a community notification.

Bill C-29, introduced in April 2026, proposes a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency to investigate serious financial offences, a landmark shift in how Canada enforces financial crime law.

Our latest blog covers what you need to know: https://ow.ly/lUqw50Z3pxI

Canada's New Financial Crimes Agency: What You Need to Know Learn how Canada’s proposed Financial Crimes Agency under Bill C-29 could reshape financial crime enforcement for businesses and individuals.

Roughly 30 federal prosecutions have been affected by criminal charges against Toronto Police Service officers allegedly tied to a sweeping police corruption probe, according to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Criminal charges or allegations of misconduct against a police officer can disrupt prosecutions that depend on the officer’s testimony and reliable evidence.

https://ow.ly/kwmC50YXECh

Thirty federal cases affected after Toronto police officers charged in Project South probe Records obtained by The Globe provide an early look at the effects of the allegations against the officers, which could sink federal prosecutions

At least five inmates mistakenly released from Ontario’s jails remain unlawfully at large. The solicitor general said that, because police hadn’t issued any alerts about the missing inmates, they likely don’t pose a threat to public safety. https://ow.ly/oGju50YUM51

5 inmates still missing in Ontario after accidental release, government indicates | Globalnews.ca After Global News revealed issues with Ontario routinely releasing inmates by mistake, Ford admitted in mid-April that at least six were still on the loose.

In a case arising from a woman’s complaint against her former husband, the Ontario Court of Justice decided which text messages between them constituted admissible evidence for his upcoming criminal trial, with probative value that outweighed privacy concerns. https://ow.ly/UnaI50YP5ZV

Probative value of some text messages outweighs privacy concerns: Ontario Court of Justice Ruling finds these records admissible, helpful in assessing complainant’s credibility

Weapons offences are treated with significant gravity under the Criminal Code of Canada. Charges can arise from the possession of prohibited fi****ms or even everyday objects if they are deemed intended for use as weapons. Even without a prior criminal record, individuals can face severe legal consequences.

The law in Ontario covers various categories, including possession of prohibited weapons, carrying without lawful authority, and possession for a dangerous purpose. Distinguishing between these charges is a critical step for anyone navigating the criminal justice process.

Our latest blog post examines the different categories of weapons offences and the potential legal implications of these charges:

Weapons Charges in Canada: Possession vs. Unauthorized Carrying - Hicks Adams Weapons offences are treated seriously under Canadian criminal law. Charges related to weapons can arise in a wide range of circumstances, from possessing prohibited fi****ms to carrying everyday objects that police believe were intended to be used as weapons. Even individuals with no prior criminal...

Ontario is planning a massive expansion of jails over the next few decades, The Canadian Press has learned.

The province’s jails are bursting and have been significantly over capacity for years, with the situation worsening. Ontario plans to add nearly 6,000 jail beds by 2050, documents obtained by University of Ottawa researchers through freedom-of-information laws show.

https://ow.ly/mLmK50YISIZ

Ontario plans massive jail expansion, internal government documents show Ontario is planning a massive expansion of jails over the next few decades, The Canadian Press has learned.

A new study in PLOS One reveals that approximately 170,000 Canadian children experienced parental incarceration between 2015 and 2021. This first-of-its-kind data highlights a critical gap in social support systems and underscores the urgent need for targeted services to assist affected families:

Study reveals staggering number of Canadian children with parents in jail The estimate comes from a first-of-its-kind study published in the journal PLOS One, tracking data from 5 provinces from 2015 to 2021.