SUPERIOR COURT ORDERED NEW TRIAL FOR BLACK MAN ARRESTED IN A DRIVING WHILE BLACK CASE IN LAVAL

Montreal, November 16, 2011 --- Earlier this week, the Superior Court of Quebec ordered a new trial for a Laval Black man who was tailed by the police on his way home, intercepted, arrested in front of his home and then fined, in what is considered as a “Driving While Black” case in that city.

Although racial profiling was not raised as a defense at the trial where the man appeared without counsel to contest his fine, the Municipal court did not accept the Laval police's motive for the interception - the damaged fender on the man's car, ruled his arrest illegal and dismissed the charge against him. The city appealed the verdict last year.

Now with CRARR's support in the appeal and the new trial, the court's decision is seen as providing a new window of opportunity to address racial profiling.

Complaints of police interceptions of young men of color in Laval in “Driving While Black” cases appear to be increasing.