Crown Interview Flashcards
Why do you want to go into Criminal Law?
I wanted to have a career in criminal law since I was a kid. Whether that was through forensics, being a police officer, or being a lawyer. After majoring in sociology and taking numerous history courses it amplified my want to be a lawyer in Criminal Law as you continuously learn about the social inequities within societies such as the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples that are incarcerated in Canada. I would like to help mitigate the social inequalities within our society and I feel within the law is the sector to do it.
Why do you want to work for the Crown?
I want to work for the Crown to not only be an advocate for victims of crime, but to ensure that our legal system operates in a way that serves the public’s interest. I like how the Crown’s duties are to everyone: to society, to the victims, to the witnesses, and the accused. For example, while going through a charge screening, a Crown must always think about the Crown Policy Manual (make sure it complies with it), see if the case emanates reasonable prospect of conviction and keep in mind whether it is in the public interest.
As an Indigenous person, I also think it is imperative for there to be more Indigenous representation within the legal system to mitigate social inequalities such as the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples within the criminal justice system. When taking other courses in the law, my classes that have to do with criminal law have always been the ones that interest me the most.
I also like that the Crown provides many beneficial learning opportunities for their employees such as Crown School, online seminars, and continual updates of the ground breaking decisions within E-Library on Scope.
Why do you want to work for Sudbury’s Crown Attorney’s office in particular?
I would like to come back to work for Sudbury Crown because I really like the work culture in the office, all of the Assistant Crown’s really care about the public interest and the administration of justice, rather than pushing for the harshest penalty. Even in POA court, Adam and Kevin would urge them to let them know if I did not think an accused’s case met the reasonable prospect of conviction, which I had to do during my last month in the office. I also like the Assistant Crown’s drive for justice such as the Sweeney cold case with the issue of DNA and the accused Robert Wright. I also like that I got a really hands on experience during my summer there working through the Aboriginal Law Summer Student Program.
What is your most significant experience in criminal law thus far?
I got to shadow my first murder trial. Helping vett victim impact statements for the Assistant Crown handling the case, watching the court procedure, printing last minute documents for court, and got to sit in with the Assistant Crown and VWAP when we met with the victim’s family to explain why a conviction could not be secured against the accused. It was a tough thing to experience, but it was a very rewarding experience in terms of my education within the law. This case was not a clear cut case. There was enough suspicious things done by the accused to raise eyebrows, but not enough substantial evidence to say beyond a reasonable doubt they committed the crime. The Crown ended up withdrawing the charges and it was one of those moments you got to see the reasonable prospects of conviction directly come into play within the court room. Other things I got to do was speak in POA court, reconcile the court docket for POA with one of the Crowns, and I was supposed to handle a trial in absentia in POA court, but the officer did not show up for the trial. I had prepped all of my questions and submissions for this case so it was a good learning experience nonetheless. I also got to learn a lot from doing caselaw research and creating legal memos for a handful of the Crowns, even hearing some of my caselaw be presented in court.
Tell us something interesting about yourself
I am 23 years old. I am currently in my 6th year of university. In my undergrad I majored in sociology. I am currently in my 2nd year of university and hold many roles within legal associations such as being VP Internal for the Indigenous Law Students’ Association at the University of Saskatchewan; the Internal Communications Officer for NILSA; am in my second consecutive term as VP External for Level Justice and recently took a fellowship role with them across Canada. I serve on the Indigenous Advisory Council for the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. I also volunteer for the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program in Saskatoon and am supposed to be one of the program coordinators this year if my schedule permits.
Tell us what you did to prepare for this interview?
I went to the seminars offered by MAG while I had my position in Sudbury this summer that offered advice to the interview and hireback process. I also reached out to current students who held 2l positions with the Crown and asked them for advice. I also looked at ground breaking cases that came out this past year.
What i the role of the Crown? What is the role of the Crown prosecutor
The Crown is a public officer and provincial civil servant responsible to the Attorney General (Doug Downey in Ontario and David Lametti for Canada). The role of the Crown is to enhance safety and promote public confidence in the administration of justice and the rule of law. There is no winning or losing, only a fair trial. The Crown Attorney is responsible for prosecuting the vast majority of Ontario’s criminal cases. They have a duty to ensure that the criminal justice system operates fairly to all, including the accused. The Crown’s role is to present to the trier of fact evidence that is credible and relevant to the alleged offence.
What is the role of the Crown in reference to the police?
The police’s role is to lay the charges (except for when it’s required to get the Attorney General’s consent) and then the Crown decides whether they will prosecute or not. The relationship between the investigative service and the prosecutorial service is one of cooperation and mutual reliance. The police have the sole responsibility and discretion over the investigation that the Crown doesn’t have. Crowns are also available for police officers who need guidance and tips on how to adhere to the law and make sure that evidence is admissible and obtained fairly.
What is the relationship of the Crown with the defence?
Our justice system is an adversarial one, which means the Crown has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defense’s client had done the act he is being prosecuted for. There must be mutual respect for one another, to be cordial to one another. The Crown has a duty to disclose all evidence to defense counsel (relevant evidence to the investigation against the accused, that is in the Crown’s possession) whether if favours the Crown or defence.
What is the relationship of the Crown with victims of crime?
Prosecutors have a special duty of candour and respect to all victims. They are not the victim’s lawyers. The Crown must display sensitivity, fairness, and compassion when dealing with the victims. The Crown should be sensitive but realistic and candid with the victim. Crowns must make efforts that victims are provided with all the relevant information that allows for full and fair participation in criminal proceedings. They also play an important role in identifying victims who may require assistance to fully access the criminal justice system, or to communicate their evidence to the court.
