An Edmonton judge who stayed charges against an accused drug dealer blamed a lack of government resources for lengthy delays in scheduling trials and said more stays could follow.

The judge also criticized the federal Crown prosecutors' office and the Edmonton Police Service over the "extreme delay" in the case, as a result of fallout over the involvement of investigating police officers who were linked to allegations of steroid trafficking and use.

In a Sept. 1 ruling, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Dawn Pentelechuk reiterated a fellow judge's recent comment that the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench has been "crippled by years of government neglect" and predicted it will only get worse.

Pentelechuk noted the earliest time required to reschedule a trial has increased to 15 months from 12 and said that is not because the court is unaware of or disinterested in the right to a timely trial.

"Rather, this court has no remaining resources to accelerate the hearing of delayed criminal trials," said Pentelechuk. "Instead, it is falling further and further behind. This, too, is another place where the chain has broken. Until Canada and Alberta provide this court an adequate judicial complement and necessary resources and staff, this will be a familiar and recurring event."

Pentelechuk ordered all charges stayed against accused drug dealer Stephen Lam, 34, as a result of a "clearly unreasonable" breach of his Charter right to a trial within a reasonable time.

In her ruling, Pentelechuk cites comments made by Justice Denny Thomas in a Jan. 26 judgment where he narrowly rejected a stay application by accused killer Travis Vader relating to a trial delay.

In that case, Thomas said the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench has been "badly compromised by inadequate court personnel staffing and a judicial component that is woefully understrength on a per-capita basis when compared to other provincial superior courts in Canada."

When contacted for comment Tuesday afternoon, a spokeswoman for EPS said they could not respond before press time.