ROSETOWN, Sask. – Judge Martinez has ruled that delays in a human trafficking trial were justified under the Jordan framework due to the case’s complexity and the need for continuous translation. Defence lawyer Mr. Owens had applied to have charges stayed, citing unreasonable delay, with the trial stretching nearly 29 months from the initial charges laid in June 2023 to its expected conclusion in September 2025.
The court heard the trial faced multiple logistical challenges, including interpreter requirements for both the accused and complainant, and scheduling limitations due to circuit court availability. Although delays surpassed the 18-month Jordan ceiling for provincial court trials, the judge found that 276 days of the delay were due to exceptional circumstances, particularly the complexity of trying one of Saskatchewan’s first multi-day human trafficking cases and the extensive use of interpreters.
While the defence maintained they did not contribute to the delay, the judge attributed roughly five months to the defence’s unavailability or scheduling conflicts. The Crown successfully argued that the case involved novel legal issues, multiple accused individuals, and emotional testimony requiring trauma-informed measures, adding layers of complexity beyond a typical criminal proceeding.
The judge denied the defence application to stay proceedings and confirmed the trial would continue, with more detailed written reasons expected in the coming days.