Ontario criminal | Charter of Rights
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
Accused trying to delay matters by firing counsel on eve of trial
Accused sought counsel be appointed for his upcoming trial that was to be held with or without counsel as he was facing 26 sexually related offences. Accused had fired his Legal Aid counsel on eve of trial on two separate occasions and Legal Aid refused to appoint another lawyer. Accused also sought counsel be appointed for another matter in different court where trial date had not been set. Court had appointed amicus to ensure accused received fair trial. Application dismissed. It was obvious to court that accused was simply trying to delay matters by firing his counsel on eve of trial on two prior appearances. Accused would get fair trial through amicus that was appointed. Court also reasoned that it was premature to consider appointing counsel for court on other matter.
R. v. Richer (Feb. 26, 2013, Ont. S.C.J., Turnbull J., File No. 1773/11) 105 W.C.B. (2d) 217.
