When buying a new PDA or other handheld device, one of the first things you need to consider is its size and ergonomics.
It is important to remember that mobile devices vary enormously in terms of size. Some are tiny enough to slip easily into a small pocket, while others can be almost as large as a notebook computer. Before you buy any device it is a good idea to try out different sizes, and decide which general “build” of device you are more comfortable with.
Another important consideration is the keyboard and other input devices. If the PDA you are looking at has a built-in keyboard, you should try it out a bit before buying. Try typing out a couple of sentences and see how long it takes you, then compare the results on a number of different devices.
For smartphones and PDAs without a built-in keyboard, you should try out whatever type of text input it does have. It is also important to determine whether you will need to buy an external keyboard, and if so, to factor this expense into your total cost.
When you think about it, thinking about a PDA’s physical characteristics is simple common sense, but a great number of customers don’t bother doing this. Keep in mind that its well worth spending a few extra minutes in the store for a device that will cost you several hundred dollars, and that you will likely use for a number of years.
Civil Forfeiture and the Standard of Proof
Unlike criminal proceedings, where an accused person must be presumed innocent until proven guilty and only punished once their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, civil forfeiture proceedings operate on the balance of probabilities, meaning that the state must merely demonstrate that an individual has probably done something illegal in order to obtain forfeiture of their property.
The Right to Counsel in Canada
Section 10(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms preserves the right of a detained individual to contact counsel immediately upon arrest or detention, and simultaneously imposes a duty upon police to immediately inform individuals that they have this right.
Democratic Rights: A Broad Charter Guarantee
Democratic Rights, and specifically the right to vote in provincial and federal elections, enjoy broad constitutional protection in Canada, pursuant to Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This section states that “Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of the members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.”
