That’s right! BLF’s London office has moved into a new location: 66 Fullarton St., London, ON N6A 1K1. The phone number is still the same (519-432-7780), and so is our continued dedication to our clients. In fact, our new office makes it even easier to find us: right across the parking lot from the courthouse!
We are in the process of opening the Lansing, MI, USA office. So, please stay tuned for those updates!
For 15 years, Carolyn Ayre was a criminal defence lawyer in London, ON; and over the course of those years, she developed an incredible practice with an unbelievably loyal base of clients. Carolyn was and still is, an amazing lawyer, and an equally as generous mentor. Although she is off on a new adventure, I am happy to say that her legacy lives on – the Basiga Law Firm, as of Monday, August 19, 2013, has officially taken over for Ms. Ayre. Thanks to the wonders of technology, we are still able to keep in touch. So whenever guidance or assistance are needed, Carolyn is but a phone/Skype call or an email away.
While some things may change, there are many things that are staying the same: the office phone number (519-432-7780) is still the same; her Law Clerk is staying on with BLF; and, above all else, our unwavering commitment to each of her/our clients has only increased with this transition.
Carolyn Ayre – we wish you all of our best, and our deepest thanks for your continued support.
Under the auspices of trying to stop gang violence and drug trafficking, police in Toronto and Windsor arrested 28 people (19 in Toronto and 9 in Windsor) after several early morning raids, earlier today. These raids occurred in the same area where it is believed that a, now infamous, video tape of Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack, is suspected of being kept. This, according to a CBC news article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/06/13/toronto-police-raids.html
For weeks (and perhaps even months), Canadians have been waiting to see this controversial video. Countless news articles have commented on the Ford Family’s alleged connections to the criminal underworld. I am willing to reserve judgment on these allegations – I am even willing to maintain as much objectivity as I can, as far as the supposed video tape is concerned. But, what I am not willing to ignore is the far-too-close connection between the controversial tape and these police raids. To add insult to injury, both the Toronto Police Chief and (not surprisingly) Mayor Ford both feign ignorance.
I am appalled at this blatant abuse of power. My critics will undoubtedly point out that my argument is based on speculation – I agree. I am speculating. I am making a logical guess based on the implications that are screaming from the facts that lay before me. Circumstantial inferences are powerful things – particularly when combined with supportive facts. I cannot stay my outrage at the level of corruption to which these raids point.
How much more of this must we endure?
I realize that it’s been a while since my last post – and I do apologize for my absenteeism. But, in my defence, it’s been a very busy few weeks. Several cases have been very amicably resolved, and BLF was even able to get a rather serious case DISMISSED! Such are the rewards of diligent preparation and tireless investigation.
Sadly, my Oath to maintain my clients’ confidences prevents me from publishing more information. So, I suppose, you will just have to take my word for it. All-in-all, these past few weeks has been a wonderful reminder of why I love being a criminal defence lawyer!!
Monday, April 15, 2013 will mark another tragic day in history – twin bombs exploded at the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon. According to various reports, three people were killed and 170 people were injured. The Globe and Mail reported on the memorial service where U.S. President Obama spoke, saying, among other consoling words, “You will run again.” The full article can be found at:
Regardless of political inclinations or personal background, unmitigated violence like this always hits home. To this point, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombings nor have any demands been made. Unfortunately, that anonymity of this tragedy only adds to the anger and frustration: making it even more unjustified.
On behalf of The Basiga Law Firm, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the victims of the Boston Bombing.
Three years ago, Allyson McConnell drowned her infant boys and tried to commit suicide. She was convicted of manslaughter, has served her sentence, and is awaiting a decision by the Immigration and Refugee Board to see if she is to remain in Canada or if she will be deported back to Australia. This is according to a new article in the National Post:
This case raises a debate that my fellow lawyers and I have discussed in the past – particularly those of us who are internationally licensed lawyers, such as myself. It would seem that the more popular opinion is to deport those immigrants who commit crimes in Canada. But, on the other hand, there is a minority opinion that says that those immigrants who have completed their criminal sentences in Canada are being punished twice over for their crimes.
To elaborate, the proponents of the deportation option argue that Canada should not tolerate nor should Canada shoulder the cost of housing immigrants who are convicted of crimes. Those who view deportation as double punishment argue that, regardless of a person’s immigration status, everyone who comes before the Canadian Courts should be treated equally – that since citizens do not face deportation in addition to a criminal sentence, nor should immigrants. While this debate is going on in Canada, it is even more heated in the U.S.A., particularly in border States such as Arizona and Texas.
While I realize that this may not be the popular position to take, as a criminal defence lawyer, I lean more toward to the latter argument. But, I genuinely want to know: What side of the debate are you on?
This is a good article/blog post that elaborates on the nature of the background investigations of the two Londoners.
Are there Terrorists in London, ON? As shocking as that question may be, I was exponentially more amazed to read the London Free Press (LFP) articles that suggested that this may actually be true! This was not a welcoming site after returning from March/Easter Break. According to the LFP, two Londoners were identified as being part of, what has been deemed to be, a terrorist attack on an Algerian pipeline: Xristos Katsiroubas and Ali Medlej were the two Canadians involved.
(One of the full articles can be found at: http://www.lfpress.com/2013/04/03/terror-thrusts-londons-south-collegiate-institute-under-spotlight.)
As the investigation into how these young men became involved with terrorist activities continues, a manhunt has begun for Benjamin Caleb Thomas who is alleged to have had connections to Medlej and Katsiroubas. This, according to a separate LFP article (that can be found at: http://www.lfpress.com/2013/04/03/londoner-on-most-wanted-list-may-be-connected-to-two-city-terrorists). In the meantime, in an effort to understand the sequence of events that lead to their involvement, nearly every aspect of Medlej and Katsiroubas’s lives are under strict scrutiny (see the above-cited article) – everything from their friends to their school are being investigated.
While I commend the investigators’ efforts to find out how this happened, it is all-too-easy to turn a man hunt into a witch hunt. As investigations progress, it is far too easy for accusations to be laid and even easier for hysteria to over-come rational sense. As a Londoner, myself, I hope that the questions of cause and effect surrounding these Canadians can be answered. But, as a defence lawyer, I also hope that the investigations maintain a level-headed approach.
According to a new CBC article, China and Germany were the top two source countries for illegal drugs into Canada. Ketamine and GHB, better known as “Date Rape” drugs, were the main illicit substances coming from China, where the total value of drugs seized from China, between 2007 and 2012, was $1.5 billion, and $1.4 billion coming from Germany. The full article can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/03/27/pol-border-drug-seizures-china-gbh.html
In a related article, CBC indicates that the CBSA’s budget would be cut be 10%, where 250 officers (if not more) would be laid-off, implying that these cuts would lead to fewer “busts” and more illegal drugs in Canada. That article can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/03/27/pol-busted-at-the-border-drug-seizures-cbsa.html
As a lawyer, I can certainly attest to having noticed an increase in drug-related cases over the past few years. While many of my cases still involve violent crimes, such as Assault, Domestic Assault (Violence), and Sexual Assault, as well as homicide cases, such as Murder and Manslaughter, my practice has seen a rising number of cases involving Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstasy and other narcotics. I cannot say that this is as a direct result of the rise in the amount of illegal drugs coming into Canada. However, logic suggests that that may be at least part of the problem.
While it may surprise some, as a Defence Lawyer, I am not in favour of cutting resources to law enforcement agencies. The fewer resources that the enforcement agencies have to work with, the less information the justice system has over all – certainly not an enviable position from which to adjudicate. Regardless of which side of the system I may be, the increase in illegal drugs into Canada, combined with budget cuts to one of the agencies charged with the enormous task of preventing such an occurrence, is not a comforting prospect for this Canadian.
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To the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan
Dear Victims of Typhoon Haiyan,
Although we are miles apart, your tragedy has not fallen upon deaf ears or callous eyes. On behalf of the Basiga Law Firm, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been affected by this disaster. We have read the reports and followed the news of this event, very closely. Our heart breaks with every name added to the List of victims.
The nations of the World have come together to lend assistance to your devastated land. For that, we are very, very grateful. We hope and pray that assistance continues to arrive. Thank you to everyone who has sent their support – no matter how big or small, every measure of goodwill serves only to help those in need.
Tacloban, Basey, and every other city or town and her residents – while we watch in horror and sympathy, please know that our enduring support is with you.
Yours most truly,
Brendon Basiga
Basiga Law Firm
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