July 23rd, 2019 Update
Sentence Reduced From 3 Years, 5 Months to 2 Years For Fentanyl Trafficking – R v Churchill, 2019 Alberta Court Of Appeal
Appeal from a global sentence of 3 years and 5 months (including other drug and weapons offences) on the basis that the trial judge erred in categorizing a “holding out” offence in the same sentence range as trafficking fentanyl. Appellant was convicted of trafficking in fentanyl. He sold a substance represented to be fentanyl to … Read More.
Presumption Of Identity Applies To Transitional Impaireds/Presumption Of Accuracy Does Not Require Certificate Of Analyst – R v Taylor, 2019 Vermilion Provincial Court
Trial on a charge under s. 253(1)(b) CC. Transitional case. Crown sought to rely on the presumption of accuracy through information in the Certificate of Qualified Technician, which stated that the calibration check results were within 10% of the target values “of an alcohol standard which was certified by an analyst”. Further, Crown did not … Read More.
Old Presumption Of Identity Applies To Transitional Impaired Cases/Hearsay Allowed To Prove Analyst Requirement – R v Hanna, 2019 Edmonton Provincial Court
Trial on a charge of driving ‘over 80’ under s. 253(1)(B) CC. Issues of whether the former presumption of identity under s. 258 CC continues to apply in a transitional case where the offence precedes the Bill C-46 amendments but the trial is held after; and whether the Crown could rely on the s. 320.31 … Read More.
Breathalyzer Results Not Presumed Accurate Under New Law Without Certificate Of Analyst – R v Kettles, Edmonton Provincial Court
Trial on impaired driving and ‘over 80’ charges. The Crown did not tender a Certificate of Analyst or Qualified Technician; rather, the Crown adduced the machine test sheet and the technician gave viva voce testimony. Issue of whether this met the requirements of s. 320.31 CC so as to trigger the presumption of accuracy. Held: … Read More.
Traffic Stop Combined With General Criminal Law Purpose Is Arbitrary Detention – R v Mohamed, 2019 Edmonton Queen’s Bench
Appellant convicted after trial of driving while disqualified and breach of probation. Police were conducting proactive patrols with a view to detecting stolen vehicles, specifically targeting Ford trucks. Appellant was driving a Ford F150 registered to a female. At trial, defence alleged a s. 9 Charter breach. The Trial Judge held that the traffic stop … Read More.
June 13th, 2019 Update
Search And Statements By Accused Allowed Into Evidence Despite Charter Violations – R v Downey, 2019 Calgary Queen’s Bench
Accused arrested for kidnapping and forcible confinement of a child (later found dead), and murder of her mother. He made statements which Crown wanted to use in cross-examination if accused testified. Accused argued statement was not voluntary on the basis of oppression. He also applied for exclusion of items seized, photos, clothing and swabs, arguing … Read More.
Fentanyl Trafficking Receives 8.5 Month Sentence Instead of 4.5 Years Sought By Crown – R v Yarmey, 2019 Edmonton Queen’s Bench
Accused pled guilty to one count of trafficking 2.1 grams of cocaine and two counts of trafficking fentanyl, 3 pills on one occasion and 12 pills on a second. Crown sought 4-4.5 years and asked a starting point of 6 years’ jail be set. Defence sought a rehabilitative sentence which took into account the accused’s … Read More.
Conditional Discharge Available Upon Conviction For Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm – R v Chowdhury, 2019 Alberta Court Of Appeal
Appellant pled guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm (Code s 249(3)) He was sentenced to a $3,500 fine and one-year driving prohibition plus a victim surcharge (VFS) of $1,050. Prior to sentencing, appellant voluntarily completed a defensive driving course. Appellant had a family and was a chartered accountant studying for … Read More.
No Need For Two Roadside Tests To Justify Breath Demand – R v Singh, 2019 Edmonton Provincial Court
Accused was charged with operating a conveyance with blood alcohol over the legal limit and impaired driving. In a s 8 Charter voir dire, defence argued the police, in obtaining one failed ASD reading, did not meet the requirements of s 320.27(2) of the Code and therefore a warrantless search took place. Defence sought exclusion … Read More.
Bail Delay Over 24 Hours Should Not Have Resulted In Stay Of Charge – R v Reilly, 2019 Alberta Court Of Appeal
Crown appealed a stay of charges of assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement, assault, mischief, and failure to comply with probation order arising in a domestic context. The stay was granted under s. 24(1) due to systemic problems within the bail system in Alberta, which resulted in the accused being held for longer than 24 … Read More.