Ontario's top court to hear case that deals with sentencing black offenders

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Ontario's top court is set to grapple this month with just how much weight should be given to systemic racism when it comes to sentencing black offenders.

In a case that could change how judges punish black people, the Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear the Crown's challenge to what it calls a manifestly unfit 15-month sentence handed to a black Toronto man for carrying a loaded firearm.

The prosecutor had asked for a four-year sentence, arguing illegal gun possession is an urban scourge resulting in the "often immeasurable" human cost of gun crimes. The defence wanted 12 months. Currently, the courts are required to take into account the backgrounds of Indigenous offenders before sentencing. A defence win in Morris' appeal could lead to a similar requirement to assess the impact of race and culture on black offenders.

According to a 2016 report by the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, black people make up 8.5 per cent of the Toronto population but represent 40 per cent of children in care. The expert report also stated black students are twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school compared to white students.

There are 14 interveners in the appeal, including civil rights activists and legal clinics that serve racialized communities.

 

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8.5% of the population....and they are responsible for the majority of the crimes committed🤷‍♂️

The judge here needs to protect society from these gangsters. Also any one who recently migrated here should be deported. No matter the race accountabilityand responsibility of the courts should be to protect all of society not just a bleeding heart individuals with baggage.

So when accountability come in. We continue to alleviate responsibility for actions stating extenuating circumstances. All Criminals have extenuating circumstances yet we can’t use these as excuses. A gun offence today should be an automatic sentence of minimum 10 no parole

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