Reference no: EM133558769

All in God's Time": A Death in an Amish Community in Ontario

Forgiveness by crime victims is often not present in an adversarial system of criminal justice. Access and read the article "All in God's Time."1

In March 2017, Vanessa Martin was charged with careless driving.

In Ontario, section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act states, "Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle or street car on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway."

The penalty upon conviction will result in a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $2,000 or of imprisonment for a term of not more than six months-or to both. In addition, a license suspension for a period of not more than two years is imposed.

The website legalline.ca states, "If you are charged with careless driving, the prosecutor will often be willing to plea bargain. A plea bargain is where you make a deal with the prosecutor to reduce the charge against you, and in exchange you agree to plead guilty. For example, they might reduce a charge of careless driving to following too closely, changing lanes unsafely, or failing to yield. You should approach the prosecutor to find out whether they are willing to plea bargain."

1. What is view on how the Amish victims, the families of the victims, and the Amish community responded to this incident?

2. Should Vanessa Martin have been charged with careless driving?

3. If you were the Crown prosecutor in this case, would you be prepared to enter into a plea negotiation with the defence lawyer? If so, what "deal" would you offer the defence and why?