08/18/2020
Here we go. You cannot properly examine a witness remotely. It very rarely happens but I have caught officers giving unreliable testimony. That came from face to face interactions during cross examination. I see two troubling quotes from this article. "Having the officers in the courtroom for the trial, creates a real risk of transmission to counsel, the accused and staff.". "There is no meaningful benefit to be gained under these particular circumstances, while, at the same time, there are potential adverse affects from hearing these officers testify in person."
But my kids can go to school and I can eat in a restaurant without a mask? Staff at Supermarkets have to work but the courts have to remain remote?
As frontline workers, having officers attend the courthouse puts others at risk, says Ontario Court Justice John Condon