The Docket

By Michael Spratt, Emilie Taman

What's The Docket about?

Criminal lawyer Michael Spratt and human rights and employment lawyer Emilie Taman discuss issues at the intersection of law, politics, and policy. What happens in our courts and the halls of power affects you.

Feed your brain with answers to your most burning political and legal questions.

Check out more at: www.michaelspratt.com

And join the Docket's discord channel to chat and listen to live recordings: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Docket episodes:

03.07.2019
SNC-Lavalin - I am not going to call that liar a liar edition
So episode 90 - a new record. Now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. We recorded this episode before a live Discord audience and it was a blast. Join the Discord channel, join the chat, and listen to live...
03.04.2019
SNC Lavalin - Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and other Liberal talking points
So episode 89 - a new record. Now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. We recorded this episode before a live Discord audience and it was a blast. Join the Discord channel, join the chat, and listen to live...
02.25.2019
SNC Lavalin (Part 2), Peeping Teachers, and Pardons
Now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. We recorded this episode before a live Discord audience and it was a blast. Join the Discord channel, join the chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ With Canada’s former...
02.19.2019
SNC Lavalin
Now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. We recorded this episode before a live Discord audience and it was a blast. Join the Discord channel, join the chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ There has been...
02.08.2019
Ottawa Police Trial and Special Guest Emily O'Brien
This episode we have a really special guest! Emily O’Brien, a young professional from Toronto, was arrested at Person airport in Toronto, fresh off a flight from St. Lucia, with 130,000 dollars worth of cocaine strapped to her body. Emily...
01.29.2019
Cabinet Shuffle Comes For Justice
So episode 84 - a new record. But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show on iTunes and have already rated and reviewed the podcast - right? You should. Hey look we have a sponsor! Let the podcast money start...
01.09.2019
Louise Arbour on the UN Global Compact on Migration
So episode 84 - a new record. But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show on iTunes and have already rated and reviewed the podcast - right? You should. Hey look we have a sponsor! Let the podcast money start...
12.17.2018
Victim Fine Surcharge
So episode 83 - a new record. But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show on iTunes and have already rated and reviewed the podcast - right? You should. Now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. We recorded this...
12.03.2018
The Best Fictional Lawyer, Criminology Research, and HIV Policy
Hey look we have a sponsor! Let the podcast money start rolling in! But seriously a huge thanks to Emond Publishing! And now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. What I hope will be a community of legal/political nerds and Docket...
11.19.2018
Twitter lawsuit, Scheer lunacy, and Pro Bono Ontario
So episode 81 - a new record. But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show on iTunes and have already rated and reviewed the podcast - right? You should. And now you can join The Docket’s Discord chatroom. What I...
11.02.2018
Bradley Barton and Brett Kavanaugh
Finally a new episode! Sorry Sorry Sorry. We have been slammed at home and at work. Almost three weeks ago we sat down with Peter Sankoff and Dino Bottos the night before they headed to the Supreme Court to argue...
10.01.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 8: The Verdict
In Chapter 8: The Verdict we get our hearts broken. But before that we talk about closing arguments and the tips and tricks of the trade. Side note: what does the T in Pure-T-Filth stand for anyway. And then the verdict....
09.12.2018
Notwithstanding Doug Ford
In late July, after not campaigning on the issue and in the middle of Toronto’s municipal election, Doug Ford and his Conservative government introduced Bill 5, also known as the Better Local Government Act, 2018. Bill 5 radically altered Toronto’s electoral districts...
09.05.2018
Is the defence of extreme intoxication in sexual-assault cases back?
Is the defence of extreme intoxication in sexual-assault cases back? The headlines were attention grabbing after a Toronto Judge ruled that section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, which limited the defence of extreme intoxication in all assault cases, was unconstitutional. As the Globe and...
08.27.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 7: The Blow Poke Returns
In Chapter 7: The Blow Poke Returns the defence makes its toughest call - will Michael Peterson testify. Calling the accused to the stand is one of the biggest decision in any trial. This week we break down the tactical...
08.16.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 6: The Prosecution's Revenge
In Chapter 6: The Prosecution's Revenge the prosecution puts its case to the jury - complete with prejudicial "gay sex" and a speculative similar fact application implicating Peterson in the 1980s death of his friend Elizabeth Ratliff. Peterson's defence team of David...
08.02.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 5: A Weak Case
In Chapter 5: A Weak Case we finally get to the good stuff - the trial. Michael Peterson's lawyer David Rudolf dismantles the prosecutions case and the defence calls into question the integrity of the evidence - a fact that impacts...
07.25.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Special Guest: David Rudolf
This episode we have a special guest - the man himself - criminal defence legend - David Rudolf. David Rudolf stopped by The Docket to talk to us about defending one of the most high profile cases in modern history. We picked...
07.17.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 4: A Prosecution Trickery
In Chapter 4: A Prosecution Trickery the Peterson defence team receives a fax (and yes faxes are still a thing) of the prosecution's autopsy report on Elizabeth Ratliff. And surprise surprise the State's pathologist not only determined that the death...
07.04.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 3: A Striking Coincidence
In Chapter 3: A Striking Coincidence we look at some breaking news - there was another staircase death! The prosecution sets the stage for a similar fact application. What is similar fact, when is it admissible, and would this fly...
06.27.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 2: Secrets and Lies
In Chapter 2: Secrets and Lies we look at the role bad character evidence can play in a trial. In Peterson's case the prosecution made the most tenuous of links between Peterson's sexuality and a motive to commit murder. The...
06.19.2018
The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 1: Crime or Accident
It is like deja vu all over again as The Docket Podcast returns to an episode-by-episode examination of a real life crime docu-series. Only this time its all about The Staircase instead of Making A Murderer. In December 2001, novelist Michael Peterson...
06.11.2018
Minimum Sentences with Senator Kim Pate
This episode we open with a discussion of an important op-ed written by Amanda Byrd. Byrd, a law student, spent hundreds of hours preparing for a moot court. When she got there, she was told to smile more. Courtroom demeanour is important but critics based on...
05.29.2018
Omnibus Legislation and Supreme Court Embargoes
We tried to keep it short this week. We failed. But who could blame us - I mean we were talking about Budget implementation bills. More than a year ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood in the House of Commons and...
05.10.2018
Hockey Licks and A Broken Extradition System
Is it a criminal offence to lick an opponent during a hockey game? After Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand licked Tampa Bay Lightning's Ryan Callahan during a play off game this is a burning issue. So, Emilie and I dive into...
04.03.2018
Bold Justice Reform?
This episode we are joined by good friend of the podcast (TM) Peter Sankoff to take a deep dive into Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould's new BOLD justice bill. The legislation, Bill C-75, was billed as a silver bullet to unclog our courts...
03.23.2018
Tina Fontaine, Arresting Journalists, and Fishy Crime Stats
So episode 73 - a new record. But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show on iTunes and have already rated and reviewed the podcast - right? You should. Hey look we have a sponsor! Let the podcast money...
02.12.2018
Gerald Stanley, Colten Boushie, and Justice
Not a fun episode this week. On Friday Gerald Stanley was acquitted of murdering Colten Boushie. People are often acquitted of serious crimes but this case was different. Boushie was a young indigenous man. Stanley was a white farmer. Boushie's friends said...
02.05.2018
#MeToo and the Law
This episode we look at two high profile murder case in Toronto. First, the case Berry and Honey Sherman who Toronto police now say were murdered. Berry's cousin Kerry Winter says he definitely did not do it - except his...
01.02.2018
The Docket's Year year end Extravaganza
Fresh off our #Clawbies2017 award we had a New Year party and invited all of our friends! Emilie and I kick of 2018 with a call in show - with predictions, resolutions, and admissions from past Docket guests: Louise Arbour, Senator...
12.12.2017
No Warrant, No Text Messages
Emilie and I take a depot dive into two new Supreme Court of Canada cases about text messages. In a majority decision, authored by Chief Justice McLachlin, the Court ruled that individuals have a privacy interest in the text messages they...
11.30.2017
Who is that new Supreme Court Judge?
A special guest! Ian Bushfield - the Executive Director of the @BCHumanist, @bccla board member, and the left half of @PolitiCoastPod - returns to talk about the Supreme Court. But we start with the important stuff - a deep dive into the red hot debate about the best...
11.25.2017
A Renowned Lawyer
Cannabis legislation is being debated on Parliament Hill. One MP called me a renowned lawyer and one MP said marijuana was as dangerous as fentanyl. At lest one of those MP is batshit crazy. Yes, Peter Kent claimed that by legalizing...
11.13.2017
You Are Tearing Me Apart Lisa!
Hey look we have a sponsor! Let the podcast money start rolling in! But seriously a huge thanks to Emond Publishing. And holy hell this was a good episode. We kick off the episode looking at the recent litigation in Toronto...
11.03.2017
Sexual Assault Myths and Ontario's New Bail Policy
The conversation about the justice system and sexual assaults has become a polarizing topic. But it should not be. It is possible to believe and support victims without throwing away the fundamental principles of our justice system. But it is...
10.11.2017
Drunk Canoeing and other Stupid laws, Who is the best judge ever, and R. v Suter: with "friend" of the podcast Peter Sankoff
Good friend of the podcast Peter Sankoff makes a triumphant return to the podcast studio. Peter was in town making arguments before the Supreme Court of Canada in the very interesting case of R. v. Suter. You will want to follow this case...
09.27.2017
Opioids and Harm Prevention with Leila Attar
Its true. Canada has a drug problem but it is a problem of policy. The war on drugs has failed and the results are laid bare in our court, hospitals, and morgues. People are dying. This is not new only...
09.14.2017
Marijuana legalization and Back to School Advice
Its back to school and we offer our advice to new law students - but it really applies to just about every one. The short version - don't be a dick. But before we tell you how to succeed in school...
08.08.2017
Trinity Western University and the Supreme Court
This episode we are joined by Ian Bishfield - Executive Director of the @BCHumanist, @bccla board member, and the left half of @PolitiCoastPod. First we nerd out about British Columbia politics and then we talk about the strange case of Trinity Western University and the Supreme Court of Canada....
08.04.2017
Erin O'Toole on Omar Khadr
First thing first. Go back and listed to episode 59 for your Omar Khadr primer. Conservative member of parliament Erin O'Toole was one person who listened and he had some stuff to say about the episode. So we invited him...
07.17.2017
Omar Khadr
Before we jump into the heavy stuff lets look at something fun. Brendan Richmond's Canadian comedy song "Out For a Rip" went viral in 2013 raking up over 12 million views, but this Canada Day he was shocked to find his trademarked...
07.04.2017
Supreme Court Speculation and Senate Report on Court Delays
Last month, after 28 years on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin announced her retirement. She was first appointed to the court by Brian Mulroney in 1989 - when we were still in grade school. McLachlin also holds the record as...
06.08.2017
Remanding the Victim
This week the CBC's Janice Johnston shed light on a horrifying courtroom injustice - the victim on a brutal sexual assault was remanded into custody because she had difficulty answering questions. The victim was a vulnerable indigenous woman. She had committed...
06.02.2017
JJJ: Juries, Judgements, and Jails
Do we really want to know how the sausage is made? This week we take a look at juries. We trust 12 non-legal experts to pass judgement on the most serious criminal charges. But we have no idea who they...
04.18.2017
Pot Politics
Emilie Taman returns! This week we talk about the Liberal government's new marijuana legislation. But it is not just pot that gets a legislative makeover. The government has adopted the contents of an old Conservative bill that will radically...
03.02.2017
Politicians playing politics with Justice
With Emilie on campaign trial award winning blogger and friend of the podcast Anne-Marie McElroy jumps into the void. We chat about the ill-informed political push to eliminate the preliminary hearing to speed up trials. Then Emilie stops by...
02.13.2017
The Future of Canada
A very Special episode this week. The awesome Emilie Taman is running for the NDP in the soon-to-be announced federal by-election in Ottawa-Vanier. Emilie will be a fantastic member of parliament. Lets start with the obvious: she is super...
01.11.2017
Live From OttawaU: Plea Bargains - A deal with the Devil?
To open 2017 we recorded our first episode in front of a live studio audience at the University of Ottawa and its all about plea bargains. Plea bargains have turned into a bit of a dirty word. The public...
12.08.2016
Renu Mandhane: Ontario's chief human rights commissioner
This week we sat down with Renu Mandhane - the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission to talk about... well.... human rights. Renu Mundane and the Human Rights Commission have been a leading voice against the deeply...
11.29.2016
The Government in your Bedroom
Today we talk about the CSIS data spying and lying to the court, the RCMP's power grab, and anal intercourse... yep the government in your bedroom. The Federal Court slammed CSIS for retaining massive amount of information secretly obtained...

What's The Docket about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Docket episodes:

SNC-Lavalin - I am not going to call that liar a liar edition

SNC Lavalin - Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and other Liberal talking points

SNC Lavalin (Part 2), Peeping Teachers, and Pardons

SNC Lavalin

Ottawa Police Trial and Special Guest Emily O'Brien

Cabinet Shuffle Comes For Justice

Louise Arbour on the UN Global Compact on Migration

Victim Fine Surcharge

The Best Fictional Lawyer, Criminology Research, and HIV Policy

Twitter lawsuit, Scheer lunacy, and Pro Bono Ontario

Bradley Barton and Brett Kavanaugh

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 8: The Verdict

Notwithstanding Doug Ford

Is the defence of extreme intoxication in sexual-assault cases back?

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 7: The Blow Poke Returns

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 6: The Prosecution's Revenge

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 5: A Weak Case

The Staircase Aftershow - Special Guest: David Rudolf

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 4: A Prosecution Trickery

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 3: A Striking Coincidence

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 2: Secrets and Lies

The Staircase Aftershow - Chapter 1: Crime or Accident

Minimum Sentences with Senator Kim Pate

Omnibus Legislation and Supreme Court Embargoes

Hockey Licks and A Broken Extradition System

Bold Justice Reform?

Tina Fontaine, Arresting Journalists, and Fishy Crime Stats

Gerald Stanley, Colten Boushie, and Justice

#MeToo and the Law

The Docket's Year year end Extravaganza

No Warrant, No Text Messages

Who is that new Supreme Court Judge?

A Renowned Lawyer

You Are Tearing Me Apart Lisa!

Sexual Assault Myths and Ontario's New Bail Policy

Drunk Canoeing and other Stupid laws, Who is the best judge ever, and R. v Suter: with "friend" of the podcast Peter Sankoff

Opioids and Harm Prevention with Leila Attar

Marijuana legalization and Back to School Advice

Trinity Western University and the Supreme Court

Erin O'Toole on Omar Khadr

Omar Khadr

Supreme Court Speculation and Senate Report on Court Delays

Remanding the Victim

JJJ: Juries, Judgements, and Jails

Pot Politics

Politicians playing politics with Justice

The Future of Canada

Live From OttawaU: Plea Bargains - A deal with the Devil?

Renu Mandhane: Ontario's chief human rights commissioner

The Government in your Bedroom