The Canadian justice system or criminal law is something most people never have to think about, and for good reason. Unless you went to law school or have been charged with a crime, you don't really need to know how it works. I don't know how my car works but I know that when something is wrong that can't be fixed by filling the tank with more gas, it is time to call up a pro.

My goal is to create regular posts about different aspects of the justice system in Canada including stories in the news that can help average people understand how this whole thing works. I am going to use a more casual style of writing and avoid legalese (fancy lawyer words or phrases in latin such as "ex parte") as much as possible. I will also focus on some basic tips and tricks for people who have been charged with a crime. The best tip is no secret - get some legal advice.

I am going to invite all readers to comment on these posts. If you have a specific question or topic you want me to address, let me know. But please don't ask me what you should do in your case, because I'm not going to provide legal advice in a blog. Instead, email me directly and we can set up a meeting.

About the author

Michael Dyck is a criminal lawyer at Tom Rees and Company. He represents clients from Winnipeg, Steinbach, and rural Manitoba. He has extensive experience helping people charged with criminal offences and focuses on building legal strategy with clients. To read more of his articles, please visit TomRees.ca.