View source for Discharges

{{Currency|January 2020}}
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==General Principles==
The granting of a discharge "is a discretionary order based on the weighing and assessing of many factors, including the principles of sentencing and the public interest."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Chatur|fr21z|2012 BCCA 163 (CanLII)|[2012] BCJ No 759 (CA)}}{{perBCCA|D Smith JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Sanchez-Pino|g13f1|1973 CanLII 794 (ON CA)|11 CCC (2d) 53}}{{perONCA-H|Arnup JA}} <br>
</ref>
The order is only available for offences where the maximum penalty is less than 14 years.<Ref>
see [[Offences by Penalty]]
</ref>

The Criminal Codes describes the discharge as:
{{quotation3|
; Conditional and absolute discharge
730 (1) Where an accused, other than an organization, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of an offence, other than an offence for which a minimum punishment is prescribed by law or an offence punishable by imprisonment for fourteen years or for life, the court before which the accused appears may, if it considers it to be in the best interests of the accused and not contrary to the public interest, instead of convicting the accused, by order direct that the accused be discharged absolutely or on the conditions prescribed in a probation order made under subsection 731(2) {{AnnSec7|731(2)}}.
<br>
; Period for which appearance notice, etc., continues in force
(2) Subject to Part XVI {{AnnSec|Part XVI}}, if an accused who has not been taken into custody or who has been released from custody under any provision of that Part pleads guilty to or is found guilty of an offence but is not convicted, the appearance notice, summons, undertaking or release order issued to, given or entered into by the accused continues in force, subject to its terms, until a disposition in respect of the accused is made under subsection (1) {{AnnSec7|730(1)A}} unless, at the time the accused pleads guilty or is found guilty, the court, judge or justice orders that the accused be taken into custody pending such a disposition.
<br>
{{removed|(3)}}
; Where person bound by probation order convicted of offence
(4) Where an offender who is bound by the conditions of a probation order made at a time when the offender was directed to be discharged under this section is convicted of an offence, including an offence under section 733.1 {{AnnSec7|733.1}}, the court that made the probation order may, in addition to or in lieu of exercising its authority under subsection 732.2(5) {{AnnSec7|732.2(5)}}, at any time when it may take action under that subsection, revoke the discharge, convict the offender of the offence to which the discharge relates and impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the offender had been convicted at the time of discharge, and no appeal lies from a conviction under this subsection where an appeal was taken from the order directing that the offender be discharged. 
<br>
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 730; 
{{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 6; 
{{LegHistory90s|1997, c. 18}}, s. 141; 
{{LegHistory00s|2003, c. 21}}, s. 17;
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 296.
{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|730}}
|{{NoteUp|730|1|2|4}}
|{{terms-
|"accused" (s. 716)
}}
}}

The discharge was enacted in 1972 to give the courts the power to "relieve against both the fact and stigma of a criminal conviction."<ref>
Manson, The Law of Sentencing{{atp|211}} cited in {{CanLIIRx|Donovan|g0p5q|2013 NSPC 83 (CanLII)}}{{perNSPC|Whalen J}}{{atL|g0p5q|27}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Effect==
Section 730 states:

{{quotation2|
730<br>
{{removed|(1) and (2)}}
; Effect of discharge
(3) Where a court directs under subsection (1) {{AnnSec7|730(1)A}} that an offender be discharged of an offence, the offender shall be deemed not to have been convicted of the offence except that
:(a) the offender may appeal from the determination of guilt as if it were a conviction in respect of the offence;
:(b) the Attorney General and, in the case of summary conviction proceedings, the informant or the informant’s agent may appeal from the decision of the court not to convict the offender of the offence as if that decision were a judgment or verdict of acquittal of the offence or a dismissal of the information against the offender; and
:(c) the offender may plead autrefois convict in respect of any subsequent charge relating to the offence.

{{removed|(4)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 730; 
{{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 6; 
{{LegHistory90s|1997, c. 18}}, s. 141;
{{LegHistory00s|2003, c. 21}}, s. 17;
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 296.
{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|730}}
|{{NoteUp|730|3}}
}}

The discharge is not a conviction but rather the offence is discharged absolutely or conditionally with probation. In cannot be paired with a fine or jail.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Hayden|4v3k|2002 NSCA 7 (CanLII)|627 APR 397}}{{perNSCA|Oland JA}}</ref>
The end result is that there is no criminal record.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Burke|2f143|1996 CanLII 11083 (NL CA)|108 CCC (3d) 360}}{{perNLCA|Gushue CJ}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Montgrand|1wn9w|2008 SKCA 50 (CanLII)|310 Sask R 41}}{{perSKCA|Wilkinson JA}}<br> s. 730(3)</ref> 
No record may be disclosed to any person by a federal agency, except for the purpose of verifying fingerprints, without the consent of the Solicitor General after 1 year for a absolute discharge or 3 years for a conditional discharge.<ref>
s. 6.1 of the  ''Criminal Records Act''</ref>

; Absolute Discharge
Where an absolute discharge has been granted the record of the offence cannot be disclosed without the approval of the Minister of Public Safety.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Montesano|hxzc3|2019 ONCA 194 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtONCA}}{{atsL|hxzc3|9|to 11}}("Section 6.1(1)(a) of the CRA precludes the disclosure not only of the record, but also of the existence and fact of an absolute discharge beyond one year following its imposition, unless the prior approval of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is obtained.")<br>
</ref>
{{Reflist|2}}

==Requirements==
An offence punishable by ''less than 14 years'' and ''without minimum sentence'', the offender may apply to the court for a "conditional discharge" if it is in the "best interests of the accused" and "not contrary to the public interest."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Gallon|1mxn4|2006 NBCA 31 (CanLII)|771 APR 317}}{{perNBCA|Deschênes JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Elsharawy|2852g|1997 CanLII 14708 (NL CA)|119 CCC (3d) 565}}{{perNLCA|Green JA}}{{atL|2852g|3}}</ref> 

{{Reflist|2}}

===Best Interests of Offender===
It is wrong to assume it is always be in the best interest of the offender to have a discharge. This requirement has been interpreted as requiring that (1) specific deterrence is of "no concern" and (2) the accused is of good character.<ref>
Manson, The Law of Sentencing{{atp|211}} cited in {{CanLIIRx|Donovan|g0p5q|2013 NSPC 83 (CanLII)}}{{perNSPC|Whalen J}}{{atL|g0p5q|27}}</ref>

Generally speaking the effect of the criminal record would be disproportionate to the offence, such as where the offender cannot pursue their chosen profession<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Carroll|1ddnb|1995 CanLII 1123 (BC CA)|38 CR (4th) 238}}{{perBCCA|Donald JA}}</ref>, education would be affected<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Abouabdellah|1njr2|1996 CanLII 6502 (QC CA)|109 CCC (3d) 477}}{{TheCourtQCCA}}</ref>, etc. The reason for discharge cannot be mere speculation.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Roberts|1jb21|2004 SKCA 153 (CanLII)|190 CCC (3d) 504}}{{TheCourtSKCA}}</ref> 

The first factor of a discharge presupposes that the offender is of good character and so is without a prior criminal record.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Elsharawy|2852g|1997 CanLII 14708 (NL CA)|119 CCC (3d) 565}}{{perNLCA|Green JA}}{{atL|2852g|3}}</ref> 

It is generally preferred or sometimes necessary that the court have evidence of the consequence of a criminal record to support a discharge application.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Relph|1d8jk|1991 CanLII 1236 (BC CA)|[1991] BCJ No 298}}{{perBCCA|Locke JA}} at 12</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

===Not contrary to public interest===
A discharge does not have to be in the public interest, it simply must not be ''contrary'' to the public interest.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|D'Eon|fmtv2|2011 NSSC 330 (CanLII)|975 APR 128}}{{perNSSC|LeBlanc J}}{{atsL|fmtv2|18| to 25}}<br>
</ref>
It is not necessary that the accused prove that it is in the public interest.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Sellars|g1tkt|2013 NSCA 129 (CanLII)|NSJ No 597}}{{perNSCA|Beveridge JA}}{{atL|g1tkt|27}}<br>
</ref>

The concern of this inquiry is whether the consequences of the conviction (either real or potential) upon the particular individual outweighs the value of the stigma.<ref>
Manson, The Law of Sentencing{{atp|211}}</ref>

The factors to determine the "public interest" and the weight "will vary depending on the circumstances of the offence and of the offender."<ref>
{{supra1|Sellars}}{{atL|g1tkt|37}}<br>
</ref>

The "public interest" includes "a consideration of the principle of general deterrence with attention being paid to the gravity of the offence, its incidence in the community, public attitudes towards it and public confidence in the effective enforcement of the criminal law."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Elsharawy|2852g|1997 CanLII 14708 (NL CA)|[1997] NJ No 249}}{{perNLCA|Green JA}}{{atL|2852g|3}}<br>
</ref>  

The second factor considers:<ref>
See {{CanLIIRP|Fallofield|gbml5|1973 CanLII 1412 (BC CA)|13 CCC (2d) 450 (BCCA)}}{{TheCourtBCCA}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Waters|gbw4w|1990 CanLII 7561 (SK QB)|54 CCC (3d) 40}}{{perSKCA|Wedge JA}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|MacFarlane|fp1w3|1976 ALTASCAD 6 (CanLII)|(1976) 3 Alta LR (2d) 341}}{{TheCourtABCA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Sanchez-Pino|g13f1|1973 CanLII 794 (ON CA)|11 CCC (2d) 53}}{{perONCA-H|Arnup JA}}{{atL|g13f1|19}} ("must consider all of the circumstances of the accused, and the nature and circumstances of the offence, against the background of proper law enforcement in the community, and the general criteria")<br>
</ref>
* the gravity of the offence;
* the frequency/prevalence of the offence in the community
* the public attitudes to the offence
* amount of planning of the offence
* value of property (if property-related offence)
* whether there was personal gain from the offence
* the effect on the public confidence in the law

It is not necessary that the offence be trivial to not be contrary to the public interest.<ref>
{{supra1|Sellars}}{{atsL|g1tkt|34|}} and {{atsL-np|g1tkt|38|}}<br>
{{supra1|Snachez-Pino}}{{atL|g13f1|18}}<br>
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Where applied==
Cases for a variety of offences have been considered:
* possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (s.88)<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Chalifoux|2dbx7|1995 ABCA 444 (CanLII)|102 WAC 348}}{{perABCA|Fraser CJ}} - denied</ref>
* break and enter<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Kadotchnikov|5fh9|2002 SKPC 112 (CanLII)|4 WWR 749}}{{perSKPC|Whelan J}} - CD granted<br>
</ref>
* possession of marijuana (4(1))<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Lail|1rf20|2007 ABPC 117 (CanLII)}}{{perABPC|AJ Brown J}} - granted </ref>
*theft under $5,000 <ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Pepper|1lzf2|2005 ABPC 294 (CanLII)}}{{perABPC|AJ Brown J}} - granted 
</ref>

Factors such as the accused's immigration status are valid considerations but are not determinative.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Wisniewski|5kf4|2002 MBCA 93 (CanLII)|6 CR (6th) 192}}{{perMBCA|Steel JA}}</ref>

It is not prohibited to grant a discharge where a prior discharge has already been granted. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Tan|gd3sr|1974 CanLII 1608 (BC CA)|22 CCC (2d) 184 (BCCA)}}{{perBCCA|Branca JA}}
</ref>
Nor is it prohibited to grant a discharge where a prior record exists. <ref>
eg: {{CanLIIRxC|R c Lasania|2bzpg|2010 QCCS 3446 (CanLII)}}{{perQCCS|Cohen J}}
</ref>
Nevertheless the granting of a discharge in these cases is exceptional.

It should not be order solely because of adverse immigration consequences where it would otherwise be inappropriate.<ref>
see {{CanLIIRP|Melo|hv14t|1975 CanLII 1299 (ON CA)|26 CCC (2d) 510 (ONCA)}}{{perONCA-H|Arnup JA}}<br>
cf. {{CanLIIRP|Abouabedellah|1njr2|1996 CanLII 6502 (QC CA)|109 CCC  (3d) 477}}{{TheCourtQCCA}}<br>
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

===Absolute vs Conditional===
An absolute discharge order discharges the offence without any additional requirements of probation. It is usually granted in the cases of lesser seriousness of offences or where the personal circumstances are exceptional.<ref>
eg. {{CanLIIRx|Day|2fvkl|2011 CanLII 8588 (NL PC)}}{{perNLPC|Gorman J}}
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

===Offences of violence===
Without a prior record, a Court will grant a discharge for common assault.
<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Bartlett|1vgzx|2008 CanLII 1535 (ON SC)|[2008] OJ No 193}}{{perONSC|Hill J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Stevens|26088|2009 NSPC 46 (CanLII)|895 APR 314}}{{perNSPC|Ross J}}<br>
{{CanLIIR-N|Munro|, [1994] NSJ No 693 (S.C.)}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Boyle|1x0pq|1990 CanLII 4078 (NS SC)|100 NSR (2d) 39, [1990] NSJ No 371 (SCTD)}}{{perNSSC|Kelly J}} <br>
{{CanLIIRP|Rhynold|1mr72|1993 CanLII 3218 (NS CA)|[1993] NSJ No 192 (CA)}}{{perNSCA|Jones JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Sumyk|290nb|2010 ABQB 217 (CanLII)}}{{perABQB|Burrows J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Teclesenbet|272df|2009 ABCA 389 (CanLII)|469 AR 193}}{{perABCA|McDonald JA}} - CD denied for domestic assault causing bodily harm<br>
</ref> 
However, it should only be given in extraordinary circumstances.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|MacFarlane|fp1w3|1976 ALTASCAD 6 (CanLII)|55 AR 222 (ABCA)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}
</ref>
Assault causing bodily harm can be available for discharges in only limited circumstances.
<ref>
Successful:<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Sowden|fld4g|2011 ONCJ 244 (CanLII)}}{{perONCJ|Hearn J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Batt|299nv|2010 CanLII 18251 (NL PC)|[2010] NJ No 137 (P.C.)}}{{perNLPC|Gorman J}} -- Joint Recommendation <br>
{{CanLIIR-N|Morgan|, [2003] NJ No 341 (S.C.)}} -- Joint Recommendation<br>
unsuccessful:<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Gulpin|htz6v|1975 CanLII 1410 (ON CA)|CRNS 363 (ONCA)}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Wood|htz6v|1975 CanLII 1410 (ON CA)|24 CCC (2d) 79 (ONCA)}}{{perONCA|Jessup JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Pynn|2fpdr|2011 CanLII 6161 (NL PC)}}{{perNLPC|Gorman J}} -- conditional sentence<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Sullivan|2f6np|2011 CanLII 144 (NL PC)|[2011] NJ No 4 (P.C.)}}{{perNLPC|Gorman J}} -- probation<br>
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Curative Discharges==
* See [[Curative Discharges]]

==Digests==
* [[Discharges (Cases)]]