92.2 Plea Bargaining
Whereas, Women and children who have experienced abuse often receive unsympathetic treatment in the courts and as victims, do not have a formalized role in the plea bargaining process; and,
Whereas, Women and children who have been abused by their partners or families have special safety concerns; therefore,
be it,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to adopt legislation and policy directives which require:
- That prosecutors, unless circumstances make impractical to do so; solicit and weigh carefully the views of victims prior to concluding plea agreements; and,
- That victims be told the substance of and reasons for plea agreements unless disclosing those agreements would cause serious harm to another person; and be it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge its provincial and local Councils of Women to request that their respective provincial governments take similar action.