Gladue principles and factors: What you need to know
R. v. Gladue established guidelines for courts when dealing with Indigenous people If you identify as an Indigenous person and find yourself charged with a criminal offence, the Court must consider these Gladue Principles and the Gladue Factors that apply to you. Be sure to ask your lawyer, duty counsel, or Indigenous court […]
Legal Aid Alberta announces early closure Sept. 29 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Legal Aid Alberta allows employees time for learning and reflection to honour residential school survivors on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, Legal Aid Alberta offices will close early to the public on Friday, September 29 to allow our teams to participate in an […]
Ask a Lawyer: Healing and peacemaking at Edmonton Indigenous Court
Edmonton’s Indigenous court is an opportunity for healing, peacemaking and community support for Indigenous people in the justice system. Edmonton’s Indigenous court is distinct from your typical docket court – aside from the accused, defence counsel, prosecutor and judge, this court process also involves an Elder, a caseworker, an eagle staff and even a […]
Legal Aid Alberta lawyers are “part of the solution” at new Edmonton Indigenous Court
Indigenous courts aim to address over-representation of Indigenous people in criminal justice system Legal Aid Alberta lawyers are playing an important role representing clients in the newly established Edmonton Indigenous Court. Indigenous courts are specialized courts that focus on healing individuals impacted by the trauma of colonization practices like residential schools, the 60s […]
Student placement program offers hands-on experience to legal education
Law student Casey Caines shares her experience in the student placement program with Legal Aid Alberta At the beginning of her legal career, Casey Caines was unsure of what area of law she wanted to practice in—but a placement at Legal Aid Alberta led her one step closer to her answer. “I wouldn’t […]
Drywaller swaps toolbelt for lawyer’s briefcase
Legal Aid Alberta’s first Indigenous Summer Student Program placement a unique milestone in law student’s journey. 38-year-old Justin Hjlesvold knows a thing or two about hard work. Hjlesvold, a self-proclaimed family man from Edmonton and first-year law student at the University of Alberta, is pursuing his dream to become a lawyer after running […]