Court Site Study of Adult Unrepresented Accused in the Provincial Criminal Courts (Part 2: Site Reports)

Chapter 3: Halifax, Nova Scotia (continued)

3.4 Other types of representation

3.4.1 Prevalence of other types of representation

Figure H-4 displays the representation provided by counsel of various types at each stage of the criminal process. 

Figure H-4. Disposed Cases: By Representation Type by Appearance Type, Halifax

Representation at First Three Appearances
Appearance Represented by Accused No Show (%) Number of Cases
Self (%) Duty Counsel Other Legal Aid (%) Private Counsel (%)
First Appearance 37 32 5 15 13 508 (101%)
Second Appearance (if any) 31 24 16 21 8 433 (100%)
Third Appearance (if any) 20 19 28 23 10 348 (100%)

Representation at Key Stages
Appearance Represented by Accused No Show (%) Number of Cases
Self (%) Duty Counsel Other Legal Aid (%) Private Counsel (%)
Bail 35 49 2 13 n/a 144 (101%)
Plea 19 14 38 29 0 336 (101%)
Defence Election 6 13 38 43 0 63 (100%)
Final Appearance 23 13 37 25 3 508 (101%)

Notes

The Figure suggests that:

Figure H-5 shows the most serious offence charged in cases with different types of representation at the final appearance. 

Figure H-5. Disposed Cases: Representation Status at Final Appearance by Most Serious Charge Category, Halifax *
Most Serious Charge Category Proportion of Cases represented by Number of Cases
Self (%) Duty Counsel (%) Other Legal Aid (%) Private Counsel (%)
Homicide *** 0 *** *** 4 (100%)
Sexual Assault *** 0 *** *** 4 (100%)
Assaults excl. Common 19 6 44 29 97 (100%)
Robbery 9 18 46 27 11 (100%)
Break and Enter 13 0 50 33 24 (100%)
Impaired Driving 36 0 21 43 14 (100%)
Common Assault 11 14 40 34 35 (100%)
Drugs excl. Simple Possession 5 0 32 63 19 (100%)
Weapons Offences *** 0 *** *** 6 (100%)
Thefts and Frauds 20 24 42 12 174 (100%)
Simple Possession of Drugs *** *** *** *** 9 (100%)
Offences against Administration of Justice 32 12 23 32 66 (100%)
Public Order *** 0 *** *** 8 (100%)
Miscellaneous Criminal Code 27 18 18 27 11 (100%)
Other Federal Statutes 58 4 12 23 26 (100%)
Total 23 13 37 25 508 (100%)

Notes

The Figure suggests that: