This Is Wonderland

It is Alice De Raey’s first day on the job as a defence lawyer in the criminal court house.

Alice’s first trip into Mental Health Court finds her defending Janet Keeler, a bipolar woman who is a living and breathing example of how hard it is for the justice system to help the mentally ill.

Alice struggles to convince the Crown to have compassion for Lisa Bell, a former drug addict, who was arrested while trying to kidnap her daughter from her junkie husband.

Brilliant and compassionate Mental Health Court Judge Declan Malone stretches his judicial powers as far as possible to save Malcolm Steves, a physically imposing, mentally challenged man, with the mind of a child, charged with assault.

Alice looks to strike a deal with the Crown but first must convince Patrick and Joelle Bellamy, caught red handed for drug trafficking, that one of them must be sacrificed and sent to prison so that the other can stay home and raise their young daughters

Alice’s client Ron Sobie is charged with abusing and neglecting his aging father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Alice balances two clients: Dale Robertson, an arrogant stock broker charged with assault who thinks he is immune from the justice system’s reach, and Leonard Taylor, a Native Canadian who seems suspiciously eager to go to prison.

Alice finds herself in the middle of a media circus defending Arnelle Dunn, charged with abducting a baby.

Alice defends Malcolm Camden, charged with assault for attacking the father of the boys who routinely bullied his 9-year old daughter.

Alice balances two clients: Jillian Nisker, accused of stalking her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, and Kiana Lewis, an 18-year old drug mule being pressured by her mother to cover for the drug dealer employing her.

Alice defends Graham Berlett, on trial for assaulting his 4-year old son. The charge stems from an incident at a city park when Graham tried stopping his son from falling off a slide but let his fear and panic turn to rage and carelessness.

Alice defends Ralph Jelnyk, an elderly man in for an altercation with the superintendent of his rooming house. Alice also represents Joanne Kerbel, a middle-aged woman charged with assault.