The federal government is proposing changes to the country’s bail system that would make it harder for those accused of certain offences to be released on bail.
Bill C-48 would amend the Criminal Code so that those charged with a serious violent offence involving a weapon — one with a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment — who were convicted of a similar offence within the last five years will face a reverse onus to get bail.
“Reverse onus” means the accused would have to show why they should be released instead of the prosecution having to prove that they should remain behind bars.
