Comments and Discussion

May 1, 2006

Court Watch reporters attended a Brampton, Ontario court presided by Justice O'Connor in follow up to a complaint that security officers at the Brampton court had threatened to arrest a citizen for bringing a recording device into the court building as is legally permitted.  After the party sent a complaint letter to the chief of police (letter posted further down this page) in Peel, the party was allowed to pass security on this day with his recording device without incident.

The two parties before Justice O'Connor were self represented.  Justice O'Connor conducted himself in a polite manner, recognized the presence of Court Watch and allowed Court Watch to briefly address the court as to the reason for our attendance.  Justice O'Connor provided no objection to one of the parties who requested to record the proceedings using their own recording device.  Justice O'Connor was helpful to the parties, taking the time to answer questions and to help provide helpful direction to the parties.  He emphasized the importance of parenting plans to the parties.  He was very observant of some negative body language which one of the parties directed towards the opposing party and he made the appropriate caution to the party to be more respectful in his court.   Although Court Watch reports on some inappropriate things that judges do in our courts, we must all remember that there are some judges out there who will go the extra mile to listen and to help people in their court in the true spirit of Justice. Certainly on this particular day, Justice O'Connor passed the scrutiny of Court Watch with flying colours.

Should you or anyone you know have additional information about this judge or note any problems with any of the posts about any judge, please email the Canada Court Watch Program.