New tool aims to make justice system more just for Black New Brunswickers (Canada)

Impact of race and culture assessments are widely used in N.S., but relatively new to N.B.When Edva Mascary pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in February, defence lawyer Mathieu Boutet asked for the usual pre-sentence report to help inform the judge about his client and help ensure the sentence was appropriate. But Boutet also asked for another report to give the Moncton judge insight into his client’s life before sentencing him: an impact of race and culture assessment. Mascary is Black, originally from Haiti, and has what Boutet describes as a “very, very difficult” background. Boutet couldn’t share details of that...