A potential deterrent sentence is possible for three individuals who have been convicted in connection to a border blockade in Coutts, according to an expert.
The blockade, which occurred in December 2018, involved a group of individuals who blocked the Canada-US border crossing in protest of the detention of a migrant family. The blockade lasted for several hours and caused significant disruption to traffic and commerce.
After a lengthy trial, three individuals were found guilty of mischief and obstruction of a peace officer. The Crown prosecutor is seeking a sentence of six months in jail for each individual, while the defense is arguing for a conditional sentence.
According to legal expert, Professor Lisa Silver, the potential sentence for these individuals could serve as a deterrent for future similar actions. “If the sentence is significant enough, it could send a message to others that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” she said.
However, Silver also noted that the judge will have to consider the individual circumstances of each defendant before determining an appropriate sentence. “The judge will have to weigh the seriousness of the offense with any mitigating factors, such as the defendants’ lack of prior criminal record,” she explained.
The defendants’ lawyers have argued that their clients were acting out of a sense of moral obligation and were not intending to cause harm or damage. They have also pointed out that the defendants have no prior criminal record and have been active members of their community.
The judge is expected to deliver a sentence in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the defendants remain out on bail.
The Crown prosecutor has stated that they are satisfied with the guilty verdict and are hopeful that the potential sentence will serve as a deterrent for future similar actions.
The defense lawyers have declined to comment until after the sentencing has been delivered.
The Coutts border blockade case has sparked debate about the use of civil disobedience as a form of protest. While some argue that it is a necessary tool to bring attention to important issues, others believe that it is a violation of the law and should be punished accordingly.
As the case comes to a close, it remains to be seen what impact the potential sentence will have on future protests and demonstrations.
