Citation

Brown KN, MacAlister D. Can. J. Criminol. Crim. Justice 2006; 48(4): 543-572.

Affiliation

Simon Fraser University

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Canadian Criminal Justice Association, Publisher University of Toronto Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Society does not normally consider the practice of law a dangerous occupation, but a significant number of lawyers, particularly those practising in specialties such as criminal defence, government prosecutorial positions, and family/divorce law are encountering violence and threats. Although past research in the United States demonstrated that lawyers have been victimized by objectionable behaviour and threatening communications, there are no relevant Canadian studies on this topic. IN the present study, survey data from 1,152 lawyers in Vancouver and surrounding suburbs in British Columbia, Canada, were examined to determine if British Columbia lawyers are being threatened, and if so, what are the types, quantity, and locations of such threats and/or violence. Results of this current study indicate that 59.2 percent of respondents, or 683 lawyers, reported varying degrees and numbers of threats. This article will discuss those findings.