Alberta Government Announce Changes to Crown Prosecutors to Address Violent Crime

The Alberta government has announced new protocols as part of the growing concerns for violent crime. The new changes being made to criminal prosecutions was announced on Monday at a news conference in Edmonton.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery said special teams of Crown prosecutors will be formed to focus on violent crime and criminals in Edmonton and Calgary, reports the Canadian Press. The prosecutors will reportedly work with police to focus on issues specific to the communities, including drug houses, available social supports and their connection to the crime being committed, said the authorities.

The minister said the new development is part of the province’s plans to “add to existing efforts to make sure all criminals, especially repeat violent offenders, are held accountable for their actions.”

“The protocol provides guidance to prosecutors to seek to detain any accused who is a threat to public safety, especially repeat violent offenders, unless the risk to public safety can be addressed by bail conditions. Prosecutors must evaluate the risk that the accused will commit another offense if released.”

Amery also announced that Alberta’s 2017 triage protocol for prosecutors will be dropped. Initially, the protocol was introduced to help prosecutors find ways to resolves cases quickly and not put a strain on the court system’s resources.

However, the protocol has now been dropped to help address violent crimes in the community and ensure all viable charges are prosecuted.

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