Sarah Leamon
1212 1030 W Georgia Street V6E 2Y3 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hey all! As the year draws to a close, I round up three of the most important Supreme Court of Canada criminal law cases for your consideration! Check them out! (Bonus: there's even one that originated right here in Vancouver!)

Some are concerned about their civil rights being violated as a result of Health Orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are even purposefully breaking those orders to drive a point home. But are they right? Are your civil rights absolute, or is there a limit? To learn more, check out my latest article in The Georgia Straight.

The Supreme Court of Canada recently weighed in how to properly assess testimony from those amongst us who are differently abled. To learn more about this case, and its implications, check out my latest column in Canadian Lawyer Magazine!

It's been two years since new impaired driving laws were introduced in reaction to the federal legalization of cannabis...but are they working? Or were they even necessary? To learn all about the good, the bad and the still unknown of impaired driving laws, check out my latest column in The Georgia Straight.

If you are wondering what your civil rights look like during a global pandemic - and what reasonable limits may be placed upon them - check out our law firms latest blog entry!

A gay man and a straight women...what do they have in common? Well, in this case - a biological daughter. In spite of their mixed orientation, the couple lives as a family unit. But when the man wanted to permanently immigrate to Canada, he was prevented from doing so on the basis of their unusual situation. However, the Federal Court took a different view of the issues...and in doing so, has embodied a shift in our cultural thinking. ... To learn more, read on: https://www.straight.com//sarah-leamon-mixed-orientation-c

Have you been contacted by police and asked to provide a statement in relation to an offence? HOLD ON! Before you do anything, make sure to check out our latest blog topic all about statements to police...and if you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact me for further information!

Do you have questions about the Sexual Offender Registry? What is it? Who is on it, and for how long? What restrictions can offenders expect and what rights do they have? To learn more, check out our latest blog post on this topic.

Have you ever experienced workplace toxicity? It can really impact everything in your life, including your sense of self-worth, your income and your life at home. Toxic workplaces are unacceptable - but they can also be hard to escape. Believe me - I know! That's why I wrote this article for Business in Vancouver, highlighting some of the things you can do to leave your toxic workplace behind. Check it out and empower yourself!!!!

I am so excited to start in my new volunteer role as a Trial Supervising Lawyer with the Law Students Legal Advice Program at UBC! This non-profit program helps increase access to justice for marginalized people, while simultaneously providing hands-on educational opportunities for future lawyers! To learn more about LSLAP, click the link! https://www.lslap.bc.ca/

Have you been contacted by police and asked to provide a statement in relation to an offence? HOLD ON! Before you do anything, make sure to check out our latest blog topic all about statements to police...and if you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact me for further information!

The defence of voluntary intoxication is controversial, but is the controversy warranted? And should this defence be available? Read my column in Canadian Lawyer Magazine to learn more about this often misunderstood area of law.

Do you have questions about the Sexual Offender Registry? What is it? Who is on it, and for how long? What restrictions can offenders expect and what rights do they have? To learn more, check out our latest blog post on this topic.

In another move towards the decriminalization of simple drug possession charges, the federal government has released guidelines directing prosecutors to consider alternative means of dealing with these charges. They are now being explicitly encouraged to only prosecute in the most serious of circumstances, and to use alternative measures for all other cases. To lean more, read on! https://www.straight.com//sarah-leamon-federal-guidelines-

There are far fewer women in criminal defence than men, and that is - in part - due to a number of particular challenges that women face in this field. In my latest column in Canadian Lawyer Magazine, I share five helpful tips for women to build a successful career in criminal law. Check it out to learn more!

In case you missed it, this article is now available on our blog! Check it out to learn more about voluntary intoxication & criminal law.

The Vancouver Park Board has now voted to go ahead with the three-month pilot projects to allow public drinking in 22 Vancouver parks...but is it too late??? To learn more, read my column in the Georgia Straight.

I was interviewed by Chek News about the infamous BC Manhunt Case and the outstanding questions that remain, even one year after the investigation has closed. You can watch the full story at the link.

The defence of voluntary intoxication is controversial, but is the controversy warranted? And should this defence be available? Read my column in Canadian Lawyer Magazine to learn more about this often misunderstood area of law.

Lots of people have been talking about the apparent revival of the defence of voluntary intoxication and expressing concern that it could potentially have negative impacts on women and marginalized people. Read my latest column with The Georgia Straight to learn more about this defence and why it isn't the threat it's being made out to be.