Well known Ottawa-based public prosecutor, Marlyse Dumel was one of three new judges appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective March 1, 2017. The appointments come less than a month after Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, the MPP for Ottawa Centre, announced in January that there would be two new positions created in Ottawa. A ministry spokesperson told CBC News that one of Friday’s appointments was to fill an existing vacancy. The appointments come as the Ontario government tries to address the fallout from what’s come to be known as the “Jordan decision.”
Last July, the Supreme Court of Canada set new rules for an accused’s right to be tried within a reasonable time frame. Superior Court trials must now wrap up in 30 months, from the time the charge is laid until the verdict is delivered. Since the ruling came down, Ottawa judges have stayed or withdrawn charges in at least two cases due to court delays — in one instance, setting free a man accused of murder. The Ontario Crown Attorneys Association estimates the ruling could eventually lead to about 6,000 criminal cases being stayed or withdrawn.
Justice Marlyse Dumel was called to the bar in 2002. Justice Dumel has been with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada since 2004. In addition to conducting criminal prosecutions, her work has included developing training materials and providing training and support for police. Justice Dumel has served as secretary of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s National Prosecution Policy Committee and as a member of its National Employment Equity Committee.
Justice Dumel is a founding member of the Afro-Caribbean Cotillion, where she mentors young women in job search, resume writing, and youth and the law sessions. She also volunteers with the University of Ottawa’s Programme pré-doit, leading an introduction to criminal law session, and is a mentor with the Law Society of Upper Canada and the University of Ottawa’s Women’s Legal Mentorship program. In February 2016, Marlyse received the Professional Achievement award from the Global Community Alliance during its annual Black History Month gala.
Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve has assigned Justice Dumel to preside in Ottawa.
Sources: Government of Ontario News and CBC News
Photo copyright: Black Ottawa Scene
Congratulations Marlyse!!! I always knew you would become a success story.
Michelle Martin
Elemantary class mate
Congratulations cousin it Suzie Dumel from NY our family is so proud of you for helping people in your community! God bless you and the DUMEL family always