Bad Judgment: The Myths of First Nations Equality and Judicial Independence in Canada

During his 33 years as a circuit judge for the Provincial Court of Alberta, John Reilly became interested in aboriginal societies and the failure of the "white" legal system to deliver justice for indigenous people. He recognized the harm caused by Canadian colonialism and the failure of all levels of government, including tribal government, to alleviate Native people's suffering and deal with the conflicting natures of European-style law and aboriginal traditions and circumstances. His first book, Bad Medicine: A Judge's Struggle for Justice in a First Nations Community, was a Canadian bestseller that sparked controversy and elicited praise nationwide for its honest portrayal of tribal corruption and the judicial conflict Reilly became embroiled in. With Bad Judgment Reilly further details his battle for judicial independence and the difficulties he faced in trying to comply with Parliament's amendment of the Criminal Code to take into consideration the unique circumstances of aboriginal offenders.