You and the Law-Criminal Law in Canada 2024

Course Description:
Given from the point of view of an accused, we will discuss several aspects of the system of Criminal Justice in Canada. We will look at The Courts, the Penal system, and Police Powers as they relate to the rights of all Canadians as described in the Charter.  Ultimately, the goal is to have students gain a new perspective of the Law and those who administer it.

• What about confidentiality and privacy? Should I believe everything that I hear/read?
• From the time of arrest to the highest court we will examine options and possible outcomes.
• Based on my experience of 3 decades I will share the challenges presented by some of my more difficult files.
• The roles of the judge, crown, and defence lawyer. 4 levels of court in Canada. Preliminary inquiry. Trial and appeal. Conflicts of Interest. Rules of confidentiality. Arrest and bail, ground to detain, legal onus for crown and defence.
• Charter Right to bail. Obstruction of justice. Are the news articles about tougher bail going to work? What programs are available for those out on bail?
• Trial Day! It’s not at all like on TV. Formal entry of plea. Oaths and Promises. Examination.
• Contempt of court. Verdicts. Appeal convictions, sentences and acquittals. Perjury.
• Factors in sentencing. Pre-sentence reports. Letters of reference. Provincial time versus Federal time. Parole. Breach of parole/probation/house arrest.
• Police Powers. What are my Charter rights? Arrest vs detention. Search warrants. High risk searches/Tactical Support Unit/flash bangs/ballistic entry
• Phoenix Sinclair, Steinbach Puppy Mill, Lawyer killed on Winnipeg Avenue, Electra Starr murder, MBCA-Ruis Fuentes, Croatian Giant.

Dates and time:    
Thurs Sep 19   1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Thurs Sep 26   1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Thurs Oct 3      1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Thurs Oct 10    1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
No Class Thurs Oct 17
Thurs Oct 24    1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Thurs Oct 31    1:30-3:30pm                  Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room

Biography:  Mike Cook is Winnipeg born and raised. He attended Gordon Bell High School from grades 7 -12. Upon graduation he enrolled at the UW where he completed a 3 year BA in Criminology.

Law School at the UM was his next stop. The first few years of his practice were doing a “general” practice working in many areas of the law. After 3 formative years, he focussed on doing criminal defence work. That is the only area he practices in.

Mike has many years of experience in all levels of court including Provincial Court, The Court of King’s Bench, the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Home base is Winnipeg but he also travels throughout the province helping people who are accused of crimes.

When he is not in the courtroom, he loves to run marathons.  He has coached many runners in Winnipeg to attain their running goals. He has much community involvement, inter alia, President of the Manitoba Criminal Justice Association, former President of the Manitoba Marathon Board, former President of the Winnipeg Public Library Board, former President of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, former Board member at St. Mary’s Academy to highlight a few.

He looks forward to discussing law with the students of the 55Plus program.

If you are experiencing difficulty with the online registration process, please call (204) 988-7650 to register by phone.

To learn more about the University of Winnipeg’s 55+ program, please click here.

To view a University of Winnipeg campus map, parking map or accessibility map, please click here.

If you have any questions about this course, or would like to be added to a waitlist, please email b.doran@uwinnipeg.ca