Chris Rudnicki
@chrisrudnicki.bsky.social
Criminal defence lawyer who believes that another world is possible. Lead counsel at Rudnicki & Company: rudnickilaw.com
What is this feeling … hope?
Breaking news: Former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded to progressive rival Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary for New York City’s next mayor www.ft.com/content/e4b8...
June 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
What is this feeling … hope?
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
I realize posting this here is preaching to the choir. But after the Grok White Genocide thing & Ye essentially launching an exclusive Neo Nazi single on the platform... I felt motivated to write about X and how bizarre it is that so many people (news outlets, celebrities, politicians) use it
What Are People Still Doing on X?
Imagine if your favorite neighborhood bar turned into a Nazi hangout
www.theatlantic.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I realize posting this here is preaching to the choir. But after the Grok White Genocide thing & Ye essentially launching an exclusive Neo Nazi single on the platform... I felt motivated to write about X and how bizarre it is that so many people (news outlets, celebrities, politicians) use it
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
Up early to watch the SCC hearing in AG Quebec v. Kanyinda, the Court's first s 15 equality rights case since Sharma in 2022. The AG QB is appealing the Court of Appeal's holding that failure to provide refugee claimants with a child care subsidy available to other parents violates s 15.
May 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Up early to watch the SCC hearing in AG Quebec v. Kanyinda, the Court's first s 15 equality rights case since Sharma in 2022. The AG QB is appealing the Court of Appeal's holding that failure to provide refugee claimants with a child care subsidy available to other parents violates s 15.
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
58% of women in prison are mothers to minor children. Of those women, most are single mothers.
Hundreds of births take place in prisons and jails every year, often with the baby immediately separated from the parent after birth.
Families belong together, not separated by prison bars.
Hundreds of births take place in prisons and jails every year, often with the baby immediately separated from the parent after birth.
Families belong together, not separated by prison bars.
May 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
58% of women in prison are mothers to minor children. Of those women, most are single mothers.
Hundreds of births take place in prisons and jails every year, often with the baby immediately separated from the parent after birth.
Families belong together, not separated by prison bars.
Hundreds of births take place in prisons and jails every year, often with the baby immediately separated from the parent after birth.
Families belong together, not separated by prison bars.
R v McGowan-Morris, 2025 ONCA 349: Rights to counsel are not suspended during Cannabis Act searches. Trotter JA distinguishes Orbanski and finds that failure to provide RTC at the outset of a CCA search infringes s. 10(b) of the Charter. Link here: coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
R. v. McGowan-Morris - Court of Appeal for Ontario
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca
May 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
R v McGowan-Morris, 2025 ONCA 349: Rights to counsel are not suspended during Cannabis Act searches. Trotter JA distinguishes Orbanski and finds that failure to provide RTC at the outset of a CCA search infringes s. 10(b) of the Charter. Link here: coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
Saw this great show at TMU’s (free!) campus gallery this weekend. A collection of extra-terrestrial photography from the 50s to now. Space is so weird. Highly recommend!
March 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Saw this great show at TMU’s (free!) campus gallery this weekend. A collection of extra-terrestrial photography from the 50s to now. Space is so weird. Highly recommend!
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
A sweeping report by the province’s human rights watchdog into systemic anti-Black racism in schools is calling on government, boards, unions and universities to take greater action in dismantling long-standing barriers affecting students.
‘Bold’ action needed to root out anti-Black racism in Ontario schools. Here’s what the provincial human rights watchdog is calling for
The Ontario Human Rights Commission is calling for 29 recommendations to combat systemic anti-Black racism.
www.thestar.com
March 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
A sweeping report by the province’s human rights watchdog into systemic anti-Black racism in schools is calling on government, boards, unions and universities to take greater action in dismantling long-standing barriers affecting students.
R v Bechamp, 2025 ONCA 223: A Garofoli challenge, by itself, is not sufficient to render a case “complex” within the meaning of Jordan. Link here: coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
March 24, 2025 at 5:38 PM
R v Bechamp, 2025 ONCA 223: A Garofoli challenge, by itself, is not sufficient to render a case “complex” within the meaning of Jordan. Link here: coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
A distinct pleasure, Paul! We also had the good fortune of defending a record expertly built by Susan Pennypacker, Lauren Wilhelm, and Adam Newman at trial. Crown appeal dismissed without calling on the respondents. A first for me!
Victory is mine! Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.
(Victory is *ours,* really. It was a delight to work with @chrisrudnicki.bsky.social on this appeal. Nothing like starting the weekend with a win.)
(Victory is *ours,* really. It was a delight to work with @chrisrudnicki.bsky.social on this appeal. Nothing like starting the weekend with a win.)
March 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A distinct pleasure, Paul! We also had the good fortune of defending a record expertly built by Susan Pennypacker, Lauren Wilhelm, and Adam Newman at trial. Crown appeal dismissed without calling on the respondents. A first for me!
Going to try posting more on here instead of lurking so much. Anyone watching The Pitt?
March 16, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Going to try posting more on here instead of lurking so much. Anyone watching The Pitt?
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
“This is a huge victory for prisoner rights,” said Samara Secter, a lawyer at Addario Law Group LLP in Toronto, who represented an intervener in the case, the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic. “A prison is not a Charter-free zone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Supreme Court of Canada rules to bolster rights of inmates in provincial jails
The judgement, which considered question of how inmates are disciplined, is a rare reversal from the Court on established law
www.theglobeandmail.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
“This is a huge victory for prisoner rights,” said Samara Secter, a lawyer at Addario Law Group LLP in Toronto, who represented an intervener in the case, the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic. “A prison is not a Charter-free zone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
So proud of this result. Appeal allowed.
The credibility and reliability, including children and adults testifying about traumatic events, is the daily fare of judges and is grounded in common knowledge and experience.
No expert evidence needed.
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
The credibility and reliability, including children and adults testifying about traumatic events, is the daily fare of judges and is grounded in common knowledge and experience.
No expert evidence needed.
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
R. v. P.J.C. - Court of Appeal for Ontario
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca
March 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
So proud of this result. Appeal allowed.
The credibility and reliability, including children and adults testifying about traumatic events, is the daily fare of judges and is grounded in common knowledge and experience.
No expert evidence needed.
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
The credibility and reliability, including children and adults testifying about traumatic events, is the daily fare of judges and is grounded in common knowledge and experience.
No expert evidence needed.
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
Nice piece as always from Jacques Gallant. My comment: it's one thing to question if deterrence works, it's another to prioritize a theory over something that is clearly working in practice.
www.thestar.com/news/toronto...
www.thestar.com/news/toronto...
Toronto gunman’s sentence to no jail time ‘undermines our credibility,’ appeal judge warns in scathing dissent
The man fired in the direction of Highway 401 during a shootout involving multiple people at a viewing for slain Toronto rapper Houdini.
www.thestar.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Nice piece as always from Jacques Gallant. My comment: it's one thing to question if deterrence works, it's another to prioritize a theory over something that is clearly working in practice.
www.thestar.com/news/toronto...
www.thestar.com/news/toronto...
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
Utterly abhorrent. [T]he court saw “criminal acts occur towards prisoners,”... and noted how the video showed jail officials “fist-bumping in what appeared to be a congratulatory fashion” during the operation.
We've been trying to tell you....
We've been trying to tell you....
NEW: Another Ontario judge has slammed correctional authorities over a Dec 2023 incident in which Maplehurst jail guards in full riot gear tormented nearly 200 inmates in apparent act of collective punishment.
“Something like this should never happen in this country"
www.thestar.com/news/judge-s...
“Something like this should never happen in this country"
www.thestar.com/news/judge-s...
Judge slams jail guards’ ‘disgusting and gross’ treatment of prisoners at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton
Some jail officials testifying on behalf of the crown seemed to have “suffered amnesia” about the incident, judge added.
www.thestar.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Utterly abhorrent. [T]he court saw “criminal acts occur towards prisoners,”... and noted how the video showed jail officials “fist-bumping in what appeared to be a congratulatory fashion” during the operation.
We've been trying to tell you....
We've been trying to tell you....
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
"Those who are easiest to catch, prosecute and subject to long and punitive prison sentences are not the kingpins of the drug world."
brilliant @kpateonthehill.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
brilliant @kpateonthehill.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Imposing life sentences on fentanyl offences will only lead to more poverty, addiction and devastation
Pierre Poilievre’s suggestion that mandatory life sentences are the solution to the toxic drug crisis is misleading and dangerous
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
"Those who are easiest to catch, prosecute and subject to long and punitive prison sentences are not the kingpins of the drug world."
brilliant @kpateonthehill.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
brilliant @kpateonthehill.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
We are hiring! Rudnicki & Company is looking for a junior associate to support our criminal appellate practice. If you want to work with a progressive team while gaining hands-on experience with a competitive and specialized area of criminal law, this job is for you.
Please share widely!
Please share widely!
February 9, 2025 at 10:06 PM
We are hiring! Rudnicki & Company is looking for a junior associate to support our criminal appellate practice. If you want to work with a progressive team while gaining hands-on experience with a competitive and specialized area of criminal law, this job is for you.
Please share widely!
Please share widely!
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
Illicit internet access is rampant in Canadian prisons. When will Corrections facilitate legitimate internet access and vastly reduce the contraband cell phone market?
Paul Quick of the @queensulaw.bsky.social Prison Clinic with a powerful solution for the problem.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Paul Quick of the @queensulaw.bsky.social Prison Clinic with a powerful solution for the problem.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Thousands of cellphones are smuggled into Canadian prisons. Advocates are proposing an unusual solution
Thousands of cellphones are seized in prisons across Canada every year, a sign of a massive black market that is connecting prisoners to the internet and sometimes enabling further crime, CTV W5 has l...
www.ctvnews.ca
January 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Illicit internet access is rampant in Canadian prisons. When will Corrections facilitate legitimate internet access and vastly reduce the contraband cell phone market?
Paul Quick of the @queensulaw.bsky.social Prison Clinic with a powerful solution for the problem.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Paul Quick of the @queensulaw.bsky.social Prison Clinic with a powerful solution for the problem.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
This week I will once again teach R v Friesen alongside the work of @maybell.bsky.social. I send her article Ruined and this podcast to my students, makes for really excellent discussion: www.listennotes.com/podcasts/sup...
Episode 111: Professor Maybell Romero - Supreme Myths (podcast)
01:02:05 - Professor Maybell Romero stops by Supreme Myths for a special episode in which she talks honestly and openly about being physically abused by her fa…
www.listennotes.com
January 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This week I will once again teach R v Friesen alongside the work of @maybell.bsky.social. I send her article Ruined and this podcast to my students, makes for really excellent discussion: www.listennotes.com/podcasts/sup...
It's that time of year! Rudnicki & Company is recruiting for our student program once again. This year, we are hiring for two roles: a 2025 summer student and a 2025-2026 articling student. Detailed job descriptions can be found here: www.rudnickilaw.com/hiring.
Criminal Law Job Opportunities — Rudnicki and Company
Rudnicki & Company is a values-driven criminal defence firm located in Toronto. We are currently recruiting for the following positions.
www.rudnickilaw.com
January 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It's that time of year! Rudnicki & Company is recruiting for our student program once again. This year, we are hiring for two roles: a 2025 summer student and a 2025-2026 articling student. Detailed job descriptions can be found here: www.rudnickilaw.com/hiring.
Another decision on the need to respect individualized proportionality in sentencing for all crimes, including sexual offences. “Exceptional” work by defence counsel Laura Remigio.
R. v. A.L., 2025 ONCA 9: The Court upholds a conditional sentence for 4 sexual offences against a child:
1. trafficking
2. procuring
3. advertising sexual services
4. CP
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
1. trafficking
2. procuring
3. advertising sexual services
4. CP
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/i...
R. v. A.L. - Court of Appeal for Ontario
coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca
January 9, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Another decision on the need to respect individualized proportionality in sentencing for all crimes, including sexual offences. “Exceptional” work by defence counsel Laura Remigio.
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
Please join us on February 12 for our first Bench and Bar Committee presentation of the year! We will discuss how to use courtroom technology effectively. Lawyers and law students are welcome. Hope to see you there!
January 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Please join us on February 12 for our first Bench and Bar Committee presentation of the year! We will discuss how to use courtroom technology effectively. Lawyers and law students are welcome. Hope to see you there!
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
As always, eternally grateful that 2015 was Canada's last election under First Past the Post because otherwise we'd be in for a very bleak four years coming up
January 6, 2025 at 1:55 AM
As always, eternally grateful that 2015 was Canada's last election under First Past the Post because otherwise we'd be in for a very bleak four years coming up
I don’t understand how we can’t just put breathalyzers in every car.
The lack of serious consequences for impaired driving is part of the reason why Ontario continues to grapple with impaired driving fatalities year after year.
In Japan, even a first offence could mean jail time and losing your job. #Opinion
In Japan, even a first offence could mean jail time and losing your job. #Opinion
What I learned about reducing impaired driving from living in Japan
Ontario needs to follow Japan’s lead by imposing stronger deterrents. Longer licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, heftier fines and mandatory prison sentences would send a much stronger message ...
www.thestar.com
January 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I don’t understand how we can’t just put breathalyzers in every car.
Reposted by Chris Rudnicki
The SCC will hear arguments on Feb. 11-12, 2025 about recognizing a new tort of family violence. Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia has sparked debate and attracted 17 interveners. Should the common law evolve to better address family violence? #FamilyLaw #SCC
www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...
www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...
Novel family violence tort, solicitor-client privilege & insurance are on the SCC’s winter menu - Law360 Canada
What does Canadian securities law mean by making timely disclosure of “material” changes? Should the judiciary create a new tort of “family violence”? Were a lawyer’s Charter rights breached as a resu...
www.law360.ca
January 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
The SCC will hear arguments on Feb. 11-12, 2025 about recognizing a new tort of family violence. Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia has sparked debate and attracted 17 interveners. Should the common law evolve to better address family violence? #FamilyLaw #SCC
www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...
www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...