Maximum and Minimum Sentences: Difference between revisions

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==Statutory Minimum==
==Statutory Minimum==
The Criminal Code give judges a wide range of sentencing options that are to be guided by the sentencing principles rather than constrained by sentencing grids and minimums as occurs in other countries.<ref>
* [[Mandatory Minimum Penalties]]
{{CanLIIR|Thurairajah|1vp4k|2008 ONCA 91 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA|Doherty JA}}{{atL|1vp4k|26}}<br>
</ref>
Judicial discretion is a "central feature of the sentencing process in Canada."<ref>
{{ibid1|Thurairajah}}</ref>
 
; Effect of Minimum on Range of Sentence
It has been agreed upon by several courts that mandatory minimums act as an "inflationary floor" and sets a new minimum punishment for the best offender.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Morrisey|525j|2000 SCC 39 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Gonthier J}}{{atL|525j|75}} -  discussed in minority decision<br>
{{CanLIIR|Colville|1lqj0|2005 ABCA 319 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atsL|1lqj0|21| to 26}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Ferguson|1pjv7|2006 ABCA 261 (CanLII)}}{{perABCA|Fruman JA}}{{atsL|1pjv7|71| to 72}}, {{atsL-np|1pjv7|85|}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|BCM|20rsc|2008 BCCA 365 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Neilson JA}} <br>
{{CanLIIR|Newman|242p7|2009 NLCA 32 (CanLII)}}{{perNLCA|Welsh JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Hammond|270hl|2009 ABCA 415 (CanLII)}}{{perABCA|Watson JA}}{{atL|270hl|8}}<br>
</ref>
 
The mininum "introduces a higher starting point" which creates "a narrower range" within which sentencing principles operate. <ref>
{{supra1|BCM}}{{atL|20rsc|31}}<br>
</ref>
 
; When Minimums are Applied
It would be wrong to impose the minimum on the least culpable offender in the least serious circumstances and then provide the same sentence upon someone who is more culpable and for a more serious offence where they would have received that sentence under the old regime.<ref>
{{supra1|BCM}}{{atL|20rsc|56}}</ref>
 
Raised minimums should not create a standard sentence to be "imposed on all but the very worst offender ... in the very worst circumstances".<ref>
{{supra1|Morrisey}}{{atL|525j|75}}<br>
</ref>
 
Minimums cannot be applied retrospectively.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Serdyuk|frv4z|2012 ABCA 205 (CanLII)}}{{perABCA|Martin JA}} (2:1)
</ref>
 
; Remand Credit
Section 719(3) permits taking into account remand credit to sentence, and can have the effect of bringing a sentence below the mandatory minimum penalty.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Wust|5266|2000 SCC 18 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Arbour J}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Arrance|526b|2000 SCC 20 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Arbour J}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Arthurs|5268|2000 SCC 19 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Arbour J}}<br>
</ref>
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
===Notice for Minimum Sentences under the CDSA===
{{quotation2|
; Notice
8 The court is not required to impose a minimum punishment unless it is satisfied that the offender, before entering a plea, was notified of the possible imposition of a minimum punishment for the offence in question and of the Attorney General’s intention to prove any factors in relation to the offence that would lead to the imposition of a minimum punishment.
<br>
{{LegHistory10s|2012, c. 1}}, s. 42.
|[{{CDSASec|8}} CDSA]
|{{NoteUpCDSA|8}}
}}
 
{{reflist|2}}
===Constitutionality of Minimums===
{{seealso|Cruel and Unusual Punishment}}
 
Certain mandatory minimums have been held to be unconstitutional:
* section 95 mandatory minimum of 3 years<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Nur|gh5ms|2015 SCC 15 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ}}
</ref>
* s. 5(3)(a)(i)(D) of the CDSA for [[Drug Trafficking (Offence)|trafficking]].<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Lloyd|g7ggx|2014 BCCA 224 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Groberman JA}} upheld [http://canlii.ca/t/gpg9t 2016 SCC 13] (CanLII){{perSCC|McLachlin CJ}}
</ref>
 
Others have been upheld:
* Section 244.2(3)(a)(i) for [[Discharging a Firearm (Offence)|recklessly discharging a firearm]]<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Abdullahi|g34s7|2014 ONSC 272 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|McWatt J}}
</ref>
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
===Consequence of Unconstitutional Minimums===
 
Where a mandatory minimum was found unconstitutional, the removal of a minimum "does not operate to diminish the whole previously established sentencing pattern" proportionate to the previous minimum.<ref>
''R v Mediratta'' (1988), 29 OAC 333{{NOCANLII}}{{perONCA|Zuber JA}}{{atp|334}}<br>
</ref>
The removal of the floor will have some "ameliorating effect" on sentencing but not a "wholesale" reduction, which would otherwise defeat the parliamentary intent to characterize the offence as serious.<ref>
{{ibid1|Mediratta}}{{atp|334}}<br>
</ref>
 
However, elimination of minimums "permits the court to treat the less serious cases less seriously".<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Saulnier|20ztc|1987 CanLII 2414 (BC CA)}}{{perBCCA|Seaton JA}}{{atL|20ztc|6}}<br>
</ref>
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
==Statutory Maximums==
==Statutory Maximums==
The maximum available sentence for a given offence will be provided within the provisions defining the offence.
* [[Statutory Maximum Penalties]]
 
Given the distinction between summary offences and indictable offences, the maximum penalties for summary offences will always be less than indictable.
 
It is generally stated that the maximum penalty is not simply reserved for the "worst of the worst" offenders.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Solowan|21h61|2008 SCC 62 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Fish J}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|LM|1x21j|2008 SCC 31 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|LeBel J}}
</ref>
All relevant factors must be considered and should only be considered appropriate where the "offence is of sufficient gravity and the offender displays sufficient blameworthiness".<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Cheddesingh|1hq8t|2004 SCC 16 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ}}</ref>
 
To impose a maximum sentence it is necessary for the judge to take into account pre-sentence custody otherwise the sentence is effectively beyond the statutory maximum.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Severight|g2r9k|2014 ABCA 25 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}
</ref>
 
; Summary Conviction Offences
Where an offence is described as punishable by "summary conviction", section 787(1) states the punishment will be a fine of no more than $5,000 and/or 6 months jail unless the offence specifies otherwise.
{{quotation2|
; General penalty
787 (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, every person who is convicted of an offence punishable on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000 or to a term of imprisonment of not more than two years less a day, or to both.
<Br>...<br>
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 787;
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 171;
{{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 18}}, s. 44;
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 316.
|[{{CCCSec|787}} CCC]
|{{NoteUp|787|1}}
}}
 
Other available summary offence maximums include 18 months jail.<ref>e.g. s. 253, 264.1<br>
[[Offences by Penalty]]</ref>
 
However, under [{{CCCSec|735}} s. 735] where the accused is an organization, the summary conviction fine amount increases to $100,000.
 
On summary elections for hybrid offences, the court is bound by the maximum range set by parliament. However, the courts should not "scale up" or "scale down" the sentences due to the election.<ref>
{{supra1|Solowan}}</ref>
 
; Indictable Offences
The maximum for indictable offences will always be specified in the provisions. The code will specify a maximum of 2, 5, 10, 14 years jail or life.
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
===Intimate Partner Violence===
 
{{quotation2|
718.3...
; Maximum penalty — intimate partner
(8) If an accused is convicted of an indictable offence in the commission of which violence was used, threatened or attempted against an intimate partner and the accused has been previously convicted of an offence in the commission of which violence was used, threatened or attempted against an intimate partner, the court may impose a term of imprisonment that is more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for that offence but not more than
:(a) five years, if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is two years or more but less than five years;
:(b) 10 years, if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is five years or more but less than 10 years;
:(c) 14 years, if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is 10 years or more but less than 14 years; or
:(d) life, if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is 14 years or more and up to imprisonment for life.
 
{{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 6;
{{LegHistory90s|1997, c. 18}}, s. 141;
{{LegHistory00s|2002, c. 1}}, s. 182;
{{LegHistory10s|2015, c. 23}}, s. 17;
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 294.
 
|[{{CCCSec|718.3}} CCC]
|{{NoteUp|718.3|8}}
}}
 
This provision was introduced September 19, 2019 and would only apply to those offences committed after that date.


==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Interpreting Legislative Amendments]] - including increase of penalties
* [[Interpreting Legislative Amendments]] - including increase of penalties

Latest revision as of 08:10, 23 July 2024

Statutory Minimum

Statutory Maximums

See Also

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