Criminal charges being stayed due to shortage of Crown Prosecutors
EDMONTON – Alberta Crown prosecutors are warning that more criminal charges will be stayed unless the provincial government hires 50 more lawyers to deal with a growing number of cases.
James Pickard, president of the Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association, says the province is failing to adequately fund the Crown prosecution service.
His comments came a day after charges were stayed in 15 criminal cases in Edmonton due to the shortage of prosecutors.
The charges that were stayed included impaired driving, assault, fraud, theft and weapons offences.


