Queen's Criminal Law Alumni Celebrate

Photo by: Bernard Clark

Justice Tom Cromwell, Law ’76, Greg Fitch, Law ’85, Heather Perkins-McVey, Law ’86, and Professor Don Stuart at the Reunion to Celebrate our Criminal Lawyers in Kingston's Four Points Sheraton on September 15, 2007.

Queen's Law continued its fiftieth anniversary celebrations with the Criminal Law Reunion held in Kingston on September 15, 2007. The event was a salute to Queen's Law alumni who chose careers in the criminal justice system. The day consisted of two panel sessions, each followed by spirited discussion periods.

The first session, entitled "Are Frivolous Charter Motions Clogging Criminal Courts?" was moderated by Justice Tom Cromwell, Law '76, of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and featured panelists Professor Don Stuart, Greg Fitch, Law '85, of the Ministry of the BC Attorney General and Heather Perkins-McVey, Law '86, defence counsel in Ottawa. All three panelists asserted that Charter motions were not to blame for clogged criminal courts and stressed the importance of such motions in our criminal justice system. The discussion period which followed took several twists and turns, but focused primarily on the question of racial discrimination in the criminal justice system. "It was a great opportunity to learn about real life issues in criminal law practice," said attendee Michael Perlin, Law '09.

Professor Alan Manson moderated "The Use and Misuse of Expert Evidence," featuring panelists Professor Lisa Dufraimont and Alan D. Gold, Law '70, defence counsel in Toronto. Dufraimont pointed out that in expert evidence regarding human behaviour, the law is uncertain. She argued that expert evidence could be particularly useful in helping judges and juries overcome some myths, misconceptions and stereotypes regarding eyewitness identifications and false confessions. Gold called the audience's attention to the issue of confirmation bias and stressed the importance of determining the sort of data, facts and procedures used by any expert in arriving at his or her opinion. "Good experts have a space between them and their ideas; they know how they know what they know," maintained Gold.

The program wrapped up with a cocktail reception and dinner, allowing for continued spirited and friendly conversation amongst the attendees. Many of those in attendance commented on how much they enjoyed meeting other criminal law alumni and renewing friendships from their years at Queen's Law. "It was a delightful way to see old friends and meet new ones," agreed Gold. The rooms were filled with jubilant debate and the laughter of reminiscence for much of the night.

"This was a great occasion for lively discussion and socializing between Queen's Law grads who are engaged in the practice of criminal law as judges, Crown Attorneys and defence counsel," said Stuart. "It was good to see that most seemed appreciative of their former teachers and pleased with their choice of career."

For pictures of the Reunion to Celebrate Queen's Criminal Lawyers,please see http://law.queensu.ca/events/queensLaw50Events/law50Criminal.html .