Criminal Law Notebook

Kidnapping and Unlawful Confinement (Offence): Difference between revisions

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{{HeaderOffences}}
[[fr:Enlèvement et séquestration (infraction)]]{{HeaderOffences}}
 
{{OffenceBox  
{{OffenceBox  
|OffenceTitle=Kidnapping and Unlawful Confinement  
|OffenceTitle=Kidnapping and Unlawful Confinement  
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{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 103.
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 103.
{{Annotation}}
{{Annotation}}
|[{{CCCSec|279}} CCC]
|{{CCCSec2|279}}
|{{NoteUp|279|1|1.1|2}}
|{{NoteUp|279|1|1.1|2}}
}}
}}
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===Draft Form of Charges===
===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
|-
|  
| 279(1.1)(a.1)
|  
| kidnapping with a firearm
|"{{ellipsis1}}, contrary to section XXX of the ''Criminal Code''.
|"{{ellipsis1}}, kidnap [complainant] using a firearm, with intent to confine [complainant] against his/her will, contrary to section 279(1.1)(a.1){{CCC}}.
|-
| 279(2)
| forceable confinement
|"{{ellipsis1}}, did without lawful authority confine, imprison or forcibly seize [complainant], contrary to section 279(2){{CCC}}.
{{DraftEnd}}
{{DraftEnd}}


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{{Proving|kidnapping|279(1.1)}}
{{Proving|kidnapping|279(1.1)}}
{{InitialElements}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit moved or took a person from one place to another<ref>e.g. see {{CanLIIRP|Oakley|fp3fp|1977 ALTASCAD 118 (CanLII)|, 36 CCC (2d) 436 (ABCA)}}{{perABCA|Morrow JA}}</ref>
# {{box}} the culprit moved or took a person from one place to another<ref>e.g. see {{CanLIIRP|Oakley|fp3fp|1977 ALTASCAD 118 (CanLII)|36 CCC (2d) 436 (ABCA)}}{{perABCA|Morrow JA}}</ref>
# {{box}} the victim did not consent
# {{box}} the victim did not consent
# {{box}} the culprit had no lawful authority to do so
# {{box}} the culprit had no lawful authority to do so
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; Kidnapping vs Confinement
; Kidnapping vs Confinement
For the offence of kidnapping, the crown must prove that the accused took the victim from one place to another without consent. <ref>
For the offence of kidnapping, the crown must prove that the accused took the victim from one place to another without consent. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Oakley|fp3fp|1977 ALTASCAD 118 (CanLII)|, 4 AR 103, 36 CCC (2d) 436 (Alta SCAD)}}{{perABCA|Morrow JA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Oakley|fp3fp|1977 ALTASCAD 118 (CanLII)|4 AR 103, 36 CCC (2d) 436 (Alta SCAD)}}{{perABCA|Morrow JA}}</ref>
This is the key distinction between confinement and kidnapping. Confinement is the deprivation of a person's liberty to move, while kidnapping is the moving of a person. All kidnappings are confinements but not all confinements are kidnapping.<ref>
This is the key distinction between confinement and kidnapping. Confinement is the deprivation of a person's liberty to move, while kidnapping is the moving of a person. All kidnappings are confinements but not all confinements are kidnapping.<ref>
see {{CanLIIRP|Tremblay|1nf70|1997 CanLII 10526 (QC CA)|, 117 CCC (3d) 86 (QCCA)}}{{TheCourt}}<br>
see {{CanLIIRP|Tremblay|1nf70|1997 CanLII 10526 (QC CA)|117 CCC (3d) 86}}{{TheCourt}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Niedermier|1jk9g|2005 BCCA 15 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtBCCA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Niedermier|1jk9g|2005 BCCA 15 (CanLII)|193 CCC (3d) 199}}{{TheCourtBCCA}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Kidnapping is considered "an aggravated form of unlawful confinement, which continues until the victim is freed".<ref>
Kidnapping is considered "an aggravated form of unlawful confinement, which continues until the victim is freed."<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Vu|fs54k|2012 SCC 40 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Moldaver JA}}{{atL|fs54k|40}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Vu|fs54k|2012 SCC 40 (CanLII)|[2012] 2 SCR 411}}{{perSCC-H|Moldaver JA}}{{atL|fs54k|40}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


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{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
===Confinement===
===Confinement===
The essence of the offence is "forcible deprivation of another person's physical liberty or freedom".<ref>
The essence of the offence is "forcible deprivation of another person's physical liberty or freedom."<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Fagg|gl88d|2014 BCSC 2632 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Saunders J}}{{atL|gl88d|38}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Fagg|gl88d|2014 BCSC 2632 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Saunders J}}{{atL|gl88d|38}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>
It's guiding principle is "illegal domination of one person by another".<ref>
It's guiding principle is "illegal domination of one person by another."<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Luxton|1fssl|1990 CanLII 83 (SCC)}}{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Luxton|1fssl|1990 CanLII 83 (SCC)|[1990] 2 SCR 711}}{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


; Meaning of Confinement
; Meaning of Confinement
Unlawful confinement is made out by "physical restraint" that is "contrary to the wishes of the person restrained"  resulting in a deprivation of "liberty to move from one place to another".<ref>
Unlawful confinement is made out by "physical restraint" that is "contrary to the wishes of the person restrained"  resulting in a deprivation of "liberty to move from one place to another."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Gratton|gbprd|1985 CanLII 3549 (ON CA)| (1985), 18 CCC (3d) 462 (ONCA)}}{{perONCA|Cory JA}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Gratton|gbprd|1985 CanLII 3549 (ON CA)|18 CCC (3d) 462}}{{perONCA|Cory JA}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}<br>
{{supra1|Fagg}}{{atL|gl88d|38}}<br>
{{supra1|Fagg}}{{atL|gl88d|38}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


"Confinement" means "the state or condition of being confined, restriction or limitation".<ref>
"Confinement" means "the state or condition of being confined, restriction or limitation."<ref>
{{CanLIIR-N|EB|, [2006] OJ 1864}}{{perONSC|Watt J}}{{at-|115}}<br>
{{CanLIIR-N|EB|, [2006] OJ 1864}}{{perONSC|Watt J}}{{at-|115}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>
It is to "keep that person in a place, within or to limits, or a defined area, to restrict or secure that person". <ref>
It is to "keep that person in a place, within or to limits, or a defined area, to restrict or secure that person."<ref>
{{ibid1|EB}}{{at-|115}}<br>
{{ibid1|EB}}{{at-|115}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>
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</ref>
</ref>


There is no requirement for "physical application of bindings".<ref>
There is no requirement for "physical application of bindings."<ref>
{{supra1|Gratton}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}
{{supra1|Gratton}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}
</ref>
</ref>
The restraint can be by "psychological means, such as threats, intimidation or the imposition of fear".<ref>
The restraint can be by "psychological means, such as threats, intimidation or the imposition of fear."<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Kematch|28cmh|2010 MBCA 18 (CanLII)}}{{perMBCA|Monnin JA}}{{atL|28cmh|55}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Kematch|28cmh|2010 MBCA 18 (CanLII)|252 CCC (3d) 349}}{{perMBCA|Monnin JA}}{{atL|28cmh|55}}<br>
{{supra1|Fagg}}{{atL|gl88d|41}}<br>
{{supra1|Fagg}}{{atL|gl88d|41}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>
There must either be "actual physical restraint" or "coercive restraint".<ref>
There must either be "actual physical restraint" or "coercive restraint."<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Pritchard|21b1w|2008 SCC 59 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Binne J}}
{{CanLIIRP|Pritchard|21b1w|2008 SCC 59 (CanLII)|[2008] 3 SCR 195}}{{perSCC|Binne J}}
</ref>
</ref>


The victim must be "fully restrained" so that they cannot "move about from place to place".<ref>
The victim must be "fully restrained" so that they cannot "move about from place to place."<ref>
{{ibid1|EB}}{{at-|119}}<br>
{{ibid1|EB}}{{at-|119}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


The duration of confinement must be "significant".<ref>
The duration of confinement must be "significant."<ref>
{{supra1|Gratton}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}<br>
{{supra1|Gratton}}{{atL|gbprd|29}}<br>
{{supra1|EB}}{{at-|119}}<br>
{{supra1|EB}}{{at-|119}}<br>
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Where consent was obtained by fraud, deceit, or trickery, then the consent is not valid.<ref>
Where consent was obtained by fraud, deceit, or trickery, then the consent is not valid.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Metcalfe|23m1c|1983 CanLII 248 (BC CA)| (1983), 10 CCC (3d) 114}}{{perBCCA|Nemetz CJ}}{{atsL|23m1c|9|, 11, 12}}<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|Metcalfe|23m1c|1983 CanLII 248 (BCCA)|10 CCC (3d) 114}}{{perBCCA|Nemetz CJ}}{{atsL|23m1c|9|, 11, 12}}<br>  
{{CanLIIR-N|Johnson|, (1984), 65 NSR (2d) 54 (NSSCAD)}}, leave denied [1985] SCCA No. 263<br>  
{{CanLIIR-N|Johnson|, (1984), 65 NSR (2d) 54 (NSSCAD)}}, leave denied [1985] SCCA No 263<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|Brown|htzzt|1972 CanLII 1353 (ON CA)| (1972), 8 CCC (2d) 13 (Ont CA)}}{{perONCA|MacKay JA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Brown|htzzt|1972 CanLII 1353 (ON CA)|8 CCC (2d) 13 (Ont CA)}}{{perONCA|MacKay JA}}</ref>


; ''Actus Reus''
; ''Actus Reus''
There must be proven that there was at least a minimal deprivation of the victim's freedom. <ref>
There must be proven that there was at least a minimal deprivation of the victim's freedom. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|B(SJ)|5k1v|2002 ABCA 143 (CanLII)|, 312 AR 313}}{{perABCA|Berger JA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|B(SJ)|5k1v|2002 ABCA 143 (CanLII)|312 AR 313}}{{perABCA|Berger JA}}</ref>


The duration of the confinement does not need to be lengthy. A "significant" period of time where the victim is "coercively restrained or directed contrary to her wishes, so that she could not move about according to her own inclination and desire" will be sufficient.<ref>
The duration of the confinement does not need to be lengthy. A "significant" period of time where the victim is "coercively restrained or directed contrary to her wishes, so that she could not move about according to her own inclination and desire" will be sufficient.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Pritchard|21b1w|2008 SCC 59 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Binnie J}} (7:0){{atL|21b1w|24}} ("The authorities establish that if for any significant period of time [the victim] was coercively restrained or directed contrary to her wishes, so that she could not move about according to her own inclination and desire, there was unlawful confinement")</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Pritchard|21b1w|2008 SCC 59 (CanLII)|[2008] 3 SCR 195}}{{perSCC-H|Binnie J}} (7:0){{atL|21b1w|24}} ("The authorities establish that if for any significant period of time [the victim] was coercively restrained or directed contrary to her wishes, so that she could not move about according to her own inclination and desire, there was unlawful confinement")</ref>


A child confined by a lawful guardian can be considered lawful confinement.<ref>
A child confined by a lawful guardian can be considered lawful confinement.<ref>
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An arrest by a peace officer or private citizen can be unlawful confinement. For example, where an officer takes a lawfully arrested man out to a remote area to abandon him in freezing weather makes out the offence.<ref>
An arrest by a peace officer or private citizen can be unlawful confinement. For example, where an officer takes a lawfully arrested man out to a remote area to abandon him in freezing weather makes out the offence.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Munson|5cj9|2003 SKCA 28 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtSKCA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Munson|5cj9|2003 SKCA 28 (CanLII)|172 CCC (3d) 515}}{{TheCourtSKCA}}</ref>


Confinement refers to the "physical restraint, contrary to the wishes of the person restrained, ...thereby depriving the person of his or her liberty to move from one place to another". <ref>
Confinement refers to the "physical restraint, contrary to the wishes of the person restrained, ...thereby depriving the person of his or her liberty to move from one place to another."<ref>
{{supra1|Gratton}}<br>
{{supra1|Gratton}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Neidermier|1jk9g|2005 BCCA 15 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtBCCA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Neidermier|1jk9g|2005 BCCA 15 (CanLII)|193 CCC (3d) 199}}{{TheCourtBCCA}}</ref>


There is no need for physical application of bindings.<ref>
There is no need for physical application of bindings.<ref>
Line 259: Line 261:
; ''Mens Rea''
; ''Mens Rea''
Confinement is a general intent offence.<ref>
Confinement is a general intent offence.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|B(SJ)|5k1v|2002 ABCA 143 (CanLII)}}{{perABCA|Berger JA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|B(SJ)|5k1v|2002 ABCA 143 (CanLII)|166 CCC (3d) 537}}{{perABCA|Berger JA}}</ref>


The offence requires an "intent to effect deprivation of freedom of movement"<ref>
The offence requires an "intent to effect deprivation of freedom of movement"<ref>
Line 266: Line 268:


A person who knowingly becomes involved with the confinement of a person known to them to have been kidnapped can be found to be a party to the initial offence of kidnapping.<ref>
A person who knowingly becomes involved with the confinement of a person known to them to have been kidnapped can be found to be a party to the initial offence of kidnapping.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Vu|fs54k|2012 SCC 40 (CanLII)}}{{perSCC|Moldaver J}}
{{CanLIIRP|Vu|fs54k|2012 SCC 40 (CanLII)|288 CCC (3d) 405}}{{perSCC-H|Moldaver J}}
</ref>
</ref>


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{{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 29}}, s. 26.
{{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 29}}, s. 26.
{{Annotation}}
{{Annotation}}
|[{{CCCSec|279}} CCC]
|{{CCCSec2|279}}
|{{NoteUp|279|1.2|1.21|1.3}}
|{{NoteUp|279|1.2|1.21|1.3}}
}}
}}


===Principles===
===Principles===
To determine the gravity of the offence of kidnapping should consider factors including:<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Brar|g6s9j|2014 BCCA 175 (CanLII)}}{{atL|g6s9j|23}}<Br>
{{CanLIIR|Okito|jw27p|2023 ONSC 1514 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|Forestall J}}{{atL|jw27p|26}}
</ref>
* the purpose of the kidnapping, specifically whether it is carried out for ransom or as a means of extorting a payment or repayment from the victim;
* the extent to which there is planning and premeditation;
* the length and conditions of the confinement;
* the extent to which there is violence, torture or significant physical injuries;
* whether third parties are threatened;
* whether guns are used;
* whether there is gang involvement;
* whether the kidnapping occurs in the course of the commission of another offence; and
* the circumstances in which the kidnapping ends.
{{reflist|2}}


===Ranges===
===Ranges===
The range of sentence should not be narrow given the variable range of circumstances of kidnapping.<ref>
The range of sentence should not be narrow given the variable range of circumstances of kidnapping.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Deo and Mangat|1v968|2007 BCCA 626 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Finch JA}}
{{CanLIIRP|Deo and Mangat|1v968|2007 BCCA 626 (CanLII)|249 BCAC 167}}{{perBCCA|Finch JA}}
</ref>
</ref>


One category of kidnapping, described as "the classic form of kidnapping" should be in a range of 10 years to life.<ref>
One category of kidnapping, described as "the classic form of kidnapping" should be in a range of 10 years to life.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Brar|g6s9j|2014 BCCA 175 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Willcock JA}} (3:0){{atL|g6s9j|19}}
{{CanLIIRx|Brar|g6s9j|2014 BCCA 175 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Willcock JA}} (3:0){{atL|g6s9j|19}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Mills|1wmdv|1998 CanLII 15020 (BC CA)|129 CCC (3d) 313}}{{perBCCA|Donald JA}}{{AtL|1wmdv|17}} ("The classic form of kidnapping, that which attracts penalties in the 10 years to life range, usually involves a carefully planned scheme for ransom with a period of confinement much longer than several hours and where the victim is bound, gagged, and sometimes blindfolded.")
</ref>
</ref>
Another category is a "technical" kidnapping, usually where there was a "relatively short period of confinement", which should range between 4 to 6 years.<ref>
Another category is a "technical" kidnapping, usually where there was a "relatively short period of confinement", which should range between 4 to 6 years.<ref>
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Hostage-taking has been interpreted as a form of terrorism.<ref>
Hostage-taking has been interpreted as a form of terrorism.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Maltby|g9k0j|1986 CanLII 4644 (ON CA)|, 30 CCC (3d) 317, 17 O.A.C. 363 (C.A.)}}{{perONCA|Grange JA}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Maltby|g9k0j|1986 CanLII 4644 (ON CA)|30 CCC (3d) 317, 17 OAC 363 (CA)}}{{perONCA|Grange JA}}</ref>
 
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


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