@petersankoff.bsky.social
Lead Counsel at Sankoff Criminal Law. Founder of Criminal Defence Essentials @sankoffscde.bsky.social. Author of Professor Sankoff's Guides and Law Professor @ualberta.bsky.social. www.petersankoff.com
Lawyers Peter Sankoff, Matt Gourley and Brandon Chung at Supreme Court Canada courtesy @petersankoff.bsky.social. Appearing in R v Hussein a #criminallaw case regarding the accused's testimony and the test for admitting the accused's criminal record. #SCC summary www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier...
It's Case Alert Friday! This week, Professor @petersankoff.bsky.social covers a judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal - part of his Quebec series - that addresses how and when a trial judge should be able to comment on the facts to the jury in a jury charge. www.petersankoff.com/monthly-subs...
Should lawyers at the SCC be able to make post-hearing submissions? A proposal here: www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...
How should lawyers apply the notion that "fortune favours the bold" when making career decisions? My thoughts here: www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...
Take your criminal defence firm to a new level and book your personalized criminal law workshop with the Lead Counsel of Sankoff Criminal Law and Founder of CDE @petersankoff.bsky.social! For more info, please visit www.petersankoff.com/workshops/
Heading to Ottawa for a hearing at the SCC. My thoughts on this very special case: www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...
Hey young lawyers with an interest in criminal law. I am hiring, and looking for someone who lives (or wants to live) in Edmonton, Calgary OR Ottawa. Details here: sankoffcriminallaw.com/hiring/
Fun video explaining the position here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dI4...
Want to become a better writer in 2025? Get the printed copy of @petersankoff.bsky.social 's Professor Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing for a limited time for only $39 (+tax & shipping). Hurry, offer ends Friday!
www.petersankoff.com/cde-books/
Some pretty big cases for criminal lawyers released in the last week, like R v Sabiston, 2025 SKCA 3, probably the most significant case on sentence reduction since Nasogaluak. See how you can use it in this Friday's Case Alert.
Learn about how CDE can supercharge your practice at petersankoff.com
It's Case Alert Friday! In our first Case Alert of 2025, Professor @petersankoff.bsky.social looks at the first appellate decision to ever consider s 516 of the Criminal Code, & determine in what circumstances the Crown can postpone a bail hearing without the accused's consent for "three days”.
One of my favorite pro tips for criminal lawyers: If you wish to make a statutory interpretation argument, ALWAYS check the French language version of the law. It is amazing how fruitful that is. Honestly, close to 70% of the time, I find the French version helps narrow the breadth.
Criminal Lawyers and Students! Get your 2025 off to a great start.
petersankoff.com
The new-look Beacon dropped yesterday for subscribers. Hope you all like it! Find out what you're missing by not being a CDE subscriber at petersankoff.com
Top Criminal Cases of 2024 is now in press. The e-book is already available. Get a jump start on 2025 by getting a handle on the 19 most significant cases from 2024. www.petersankoff.com/top-criminal...
Get 10% off a printed copy!
I think the transfer from X to Bluesky (still not complete on my end) is not the real result of Twitter being destroyed. What I see, from my end, is less social media use altogether. I loved engaging in this way, but it's very difficult to rebuild, and my new habit is just to post way, way less.
Looking to boost your writing skills in 2025? Get @petersankoff.bsky.social 's Professor Sankoff's Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing for only $39 (printed copy, plus shipping & tax), for a limted time only! www.petersankoff.com/cde-books/
Our boxing day sale is going strong! Save 40% on @petersankoff.bsky.social 's Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing! No code required! www.petersankoff.com/guide-to-leg...
This is consistent with my personal experience in this area: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Merry Christmas!! To spread some extra cheer, we have an amazing boxing day offer for you! Get 40% off the printed copy of @petersankoff.bsky.social 's Professor Sankoff's Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing! www.petersankoff.com/cde-books/
Tadaaaa! The E-Book of @petersankoff.bsky.social 's brand new Top Criminal Cases 2024 is now available, we're expecting the printed copies in January! Pre-order now, www.petersankoff.com/top-criminal...
Ending 2024 with a bang! Steven Penney and I just recorded the final Case Alert of the year, doing a full recap of the Supreme Court's blockbuster decision in R v Campbell, 2024 SCC 42, which touches on cell phone interceptions, exigent circumstances and more. Available tomorrow for CDE subscribers!
My latest project. Couldn't make it to Top Cases of 2024 (or you could but need more)? My new book details the year in criminal law jurisprudence, with analysis, critique and commentary on the biggest cases of 2024. Check it out!! E-book just $45 + GST. www.petersankoff.com/top-criminal...
Imaginary conversation.
Other person: "Hey did you see the Crown got leave to the SCC again?"
Me: "Uh-huh."
Other person: "I think they get more leaves granted because they are so much more selective.
Me: "Uh-huh."
Other person: "Or they're just better at writing them.
Me: Sigh.
What a fun Oilers game that was last night. Wins are better, to be sure, but for the regular season, that was a blast.
This case is super interesting. Had a lot of fun with it.
Check out our Holiday Special!Get 15% off all printed copies of Professor @petersankoff.bsky.social Sankoff's Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing, Guide to Criminal Defences & Guide to Canadian Animal Protection Law with coupon code HolidayCheers15! www.petersankoff.com/cde-books/
For whatever reason, the Crown here felt there was enough merit to have the jail sentence served AFTER an appeal hearing. If the state feels that way, I'm not sure why a judge concerned with "the scourge of gun violence" should feel otherwise. This is bullsh*t.
The Crown's willingness to consent affects every aspect of the preparation process. Keep in mind that the bar for release on appeal is (deliberately) not high in cases where public safety is not at risk.
I hate this on multiple levels. First, Hourigan "Crown shames", which will be noted. Crowns will be less likely to consent knowing that this can happen. In Alberta, consent releases are automatic - there is no hearing, which is how it should be.
Wow, that's an incredible amount of amazing materials we offer at @sankoffscde.bsky.social! Our research database keeps growing every week! The best timesaving tool for busy criminal lawyers!