Hicks Adams

10/26/2026

A recent Toronto Star investigation looks at changes to Ontario’s building code and what they could mean for triple bunking in an already overcrowded jail system. Conditions of detention can have real consequences for the people held there, and in some cases for their legal proceedings.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or is being held in custody, we’re here to help you understand your rights.

Ontario quietly eliminated minimum sleep-area rules for jails, clearing the way for triple-bunking in overcrowded facilities.

10/22/2026

Toronto Crime Stoppers has paused tip intake after a breach involving its software provider. The organization reports that more than 176,000 tips were affected, and that thousands of them may contain personal information, even though the program is designed to be anonymous. Toronto police have also temporarily suspended their use of Crime Stoppers while safeguards are reviewed.

https://globalnews.ca/news/12113098/toronto-crime-stoppers-cyber-breach/

Toronto Crime Stoppers has paused tip intake after a cybersecurity breach potentially exposed identifying information included in some submissions.

10/19/2026

Recent appellate decisions underscore the critical role that strict supervision plans, house arrest, and electronic monitoring can play in securing pre-trial release. When addressing complex bail reviews and detention appeals, demonstrating viable alternatives to custody remains a key factor in protecting a client's liberty while matters proceed through the courts.

Read more in our latest blog: https://ow.ly/eCem50ZY3Ab

Police entry into his home seriously breached his privacy: Ontario Court of Appeal

10/13/2026

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a new three-part framework for sentencing in cases where both the offender and victim are Indigenous. The ruling addresses the delicate balance between systemic Gladue factors and the protection of vulnerable victims, clarifying that denunciation and deterrence can be achieved through community-based measures rather than defaulting to traditional incarceration. https://ow.ly/VAcY50ZXepk

10/06/2026

At Hicks Adams, we use the considerable resources that come with being a large firm and the extensive experience of our lawyers to fearlessly defend our clients against all types of criminal charges, from the most minor to the most serious. Our clients can be confident knowing their cases are in the hands of skilled lawyers with a positive record of success in even the most challenging criminal cases.

Contact us today:
📞416-975-1700
📧[email protected]

10/01/2026

Recent reporting reveals how artificial intelligence platforms can be exploited to bypass built-in safety protocols, prompting growing calls for legal accountability and potential amendments to the Criminal Code.

As technology evolves faster than the law, cases involving AI platforms, digital evidence, and online communications present novel legal challenges in modern criminal defense and corporate oversight.

Understanding how digital footprints and algorithmic interactions are evaluated in court is increasingly critical in today's legal landscape. https://ow.ly/WLXv50ZSGS1

A Mother Jones magazine reporter says through his reporting he was able to review "significant portions" of the chat history between shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar and OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot in the time leading up to the attack, some of which is detailed in his reporting.

09/28/2026

Up to 80 percent of individuals in Ontario provincial jails are on remand—awaiting trial while presumed innocent. Extreme overcrowding and harsh conditions highlight the critical need for a swift bail hearing.

Securing experienced defence counsel ensures your constitutional rights are protected from day one.

https://ow.ly/zYw850ZS0mO

Andrea Corken spent more than a month at the Penetanguishene jail; John Howard Society says triple-bunking has become common as Ontario's correctional system faces mounting pressure

09/22/2026

With police services in Toronto and across Canada expanding hate-crime units and making hundreds of arrests in response to recent high-profile incidents, the legal landscape surrounding hate-motivated offences is shifting rapidly.

Under the Criminal Code, an allegation involving hate-motivated intent, mischief to property, or public incitement carries severe bail considerations and significant sentencing enhancements. For anyone facing these investigations or charges, the early intervention of counsel is critical. The distinction between lawful freedom of expression and criminal conduct requires careful legal analysis to ensure constitutional rights are upheld at every stage.

https://ow.ly/55tl50ZQcbB

Belleville synagogue shooting is the latest of several disturbing cases nationally

09/17/2026

A recent lawsuit against the federal government highlights critical issues surrounding the treatment of incarcerated individuals in Ontario institutions. The allegations details serious breaches of human rights and constitutional protections within the correctional system, specifically regarding proper search protocols and discrimination.

As defence counsel, we observe daily how systemic failures and violations of rights directly impact the individuals navigating the justice system. Constitutional protections must apply universally, and institutional accountability remains paramount across every stage of the legal process.

The inmate at Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst alleged a male correctional officer used transphobic language while insisting she be strip-searched by a man.

09/15/2026

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recently announced that it has removed 111 individuals and issued 188 removal orders in connection with an ongoing enforcement initiative targeting extortion violence and organized crime.

When criminal charges or allegations intersect with non-citizen status, individuals face parallel legal battles: defending against criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code and navigating severe inadmissibility proceedings under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Ensuring rigorous legal representation is critical to protecting constitutional rights and navigating the complex overlap between criminal defence and immigration enforcement.

OTTAWA — Canadian border authorities say they have deported 111 people since August last year in efforts to combat extortion violence in South Asian communities.