Informations and Indictments: Difference between revisions
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[[fr:Dénonciations et actes d'accusation]] | |||
{{Currency2|January|2020}} | |||
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==Informations and Indictments== | ==Informations and Indictments== | ||
Criminal charges are set out in written form, either through an Indictment or an Information. An Indictment is the form of a charge typically handled in superior court while an information is the form used in provincial court. | Criminal charges are set out in written form, either through an Indictment or an Information. An Indictment is the form of a charge typically handled in superior court while an information is the form used in provincial court. | ||
; Indictment | |||
Section 2 defines "indictment" stating: | Section 2 defines "indictment" stating: | ||
{{ | {{quotation2| | ||
2<br> | 2<br> | ||
indictment includes | {{ellipsis}} | ||
'''"indictment"''' includes | |||
:(a) information or a count therein, | :(a) information or a count therein, | ||
:(b) a plea, replication or other pleading, and | :(b) a plea, replication or other pleading, and | ||
:(c) any record; | :(c) any record; | ||
{{ellipsis}} | |||
| | {{History-S2}} | ||
|{{CCCSec2|2}} | |||
|{{NoteUp|2}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
Under the English common law, there was a system of laying indictments that would permit an indictment against an accused by either a grand jury or coroner's inquest. Section 576 abolished these modes of laying indictments. | Under the English common law, there was a system of laying indictments that would permit an indictment against an accused by either a grand jury or coroner's inquest. Section 576 abolished these modes of laying indictments. | ||
; Information | |||
Section 785 defines "information": | Section 785 defines "information": | ||
{{ | {{quotation2| | ||
785 In this Part {{AnnSec|Part XXVII}}<br> | |||
"information" includes | {{ellipsis}} | ||
'''"information"''' includes | |||
:(a) a count in an information, and | :(a) a count in an information, and | ||
:(b) a complaint in respect of which a justice is authorized by an Act of Parliament or an enactment made thereunder to make an order; (dénonciation) | :(b) a complaint in respect of which a justice is authorized by an Act of Parliament or an enactment made thereunder to make an order; (dénonciation) | ||
{{ellipsis}} | |||
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 785; | |||
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 785; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), ss. 170, 203; 1992, c. 1, s. 58; 1995, c. 22, s. 7, c. 39, s. 156; 1996, c. 19, s. 76; 1999, c. 25, s. 23(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 78; 2006, c. 14, s. 7; 2013, c. 11, s. 4. | R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, ss. 170, 203; | ||
{{LegHistory90s|1992, c. 1}}, s. 58; | |||
| | {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 7, c. 39, s. 156; | ||
{{LegHistory90s|1996, c. 19}}, s. 76; | |||
{{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 25}}, s. 23(Preamble); | |||
{{LegHistory00s|2002, c. 13}}, s. 78; | |||
{{LegHistory00s|2006, c. 14}}, s. 7; | |||
{{LegHistory10s|2013, c. 11}}, s. 4; | |||
{{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 16}}, s. 223, c. 21, s. 26; | |||
{{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 314. | |||
{{Annotation}} | |||
|{{CCCSec2|785}} | |||
|{{NoteUp|785}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
An '''information''' is a accusation sworn by a peace officer. (s. 507, 508, 788, 789 and [[Criminal_Code_Forms#Form_2|Form 2]]) The '''indictment''' is an unsworn accusation.(s.566,580, 591 and Form 4) | An '''information''' is a accusation sworn by a peace officer. (s. 507, 508, 788, 789 and [[Criminal_Code_Forms#Form_2|Form 2]]) The '''indictment''' is an unsworn accusation.(s.566,580, 591 and Form 4) | ||
The purpose of an information was described as;<ref> | The purpose of an information was described as;<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Akey|g1ck8|1990 CanLII 6755 (ONSC)|[1990] OJ No 2205 (Gen. Div.)}}{{perONSC|Granger J}}{{atL|g1ck8|6}}</ref> | |||
#to commence the proceedings until the accused is arraigned or the charges dismissed; | #to commence the proceedings until the accused is arraigned or the charges dismissed; | ||
#to inform the accused of the allegations against him or her; | #to inform the accused of the allegations against him or her; | ||
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==Validity of the Information or Indictment== | ==Validity of the Information or Indictment== | ||
[ | [{{CCCSec|580}} Sections 580 to 601] sets out the criteria for a valid information. | ||
{{ | {{quotation2| | ||
; Form of indictment | |||
580 An indictment is sufficient if it is on paper and is in Form 4. | 580 An indictment is sufficient if it is on paper and is in Form 4 {{AnnSec|Form 4}}. | ||
| | R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 580; | ||
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 117. | |||
{{Annotation}} | |||
|{{CCCSec2|580}} | |||
|{{NoteUp|580}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
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The more modern approach to validity of an information is more focused on substance rather than technical form considered in the older approach.<ref> | The more modern approach to validity of an information is more focused on substance rather than technical form considered in the older approach.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Sault Ste. Marie|1mkbt|1978 CanLII 11 (SCC)|40 CCC (2d)}}{{perSCC|Dickson J}} (9:0), at 353 | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
The date "is relevant and material only when the issue of limitation periods arises"<ref> | The date "is relevant and material only when the issue of limitation periods arises"<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Dean|27t5r|1985 CanLII 1142 (AB QB)|36 Alta LR (2d) 8 (Q.B.)}}{{perABQB|McFadyen J}}</ref> | |||
Where the date is in error, it may be that the proper date can be inferred. | |||
Where the date of the information has been amended without any indication of the circumstances creates a nullity. <ref> | Where the date of the information has been amended without any indication of the circumstances creates a nullity. <ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Howell|27p4d|1978 CanLII 692 (AB QB)|14 AR 299}}{{perABQB|Robotham J}}</ref> | |||
It is often said that an information that contains on its face contained a contradiction that was an impossibility is a nullity. <ref> | It is often said that an information that contains on its face contained a contradiction that was an impossibility is a nullity. <ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|George|1qlcm|1993 CanLII 4609 (NS SC)|340 APR 30}}{{perNSSC|MacLellan J}}</ref> | |||
; Presumptions and Burdens | |||
There is a rebuttable presumption that a justice of the peace will only operate within their authority.<ref> | There is a rebuttable presumption that a justice of the peace will only operate within their authority.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIR-N|Justice of the Peace; Ex Parte Robertson|, [1971] 1 OR 12 (CA)}}</ref> | |||
There is a presumption that an information is valid on its face.<ref> | There is a presumption that an information is valid on its face.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Kamperman|gcm03|1981 CanLII 3159 (NS SC)|, 48 NSR (2d)}}{{perNSSC|Glube J}}{{atL|gcm03|9}} ("There is a presumption that the information is valid on its face and the onus is upon the accused to rebut that presumption ")<br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
The onus is upon the accused to establish on a balance of probabilities that the information is defective.<ref> | The onus is upon the accused to establish on a balance of probabilities that the information is defective.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRx|Awad|g0nng|2013 NSPC 82 (CanLII)}}{{perNSPC|Whalen J}}{{atL|g0nng|51}} aff'd at {{CanLII|gg43m|2015 NSCA 10 (CanLII)}}{{perNSCA|Beveridge JA}}<br> | |||
{{CanLIIRP|Peavoy|htwgg|1974 CanLII 1665 (ONSC)|15 CCC (2d) 97}}{{perONSC|Henry J}}<br> | |||
{{CanLIIR-N|Vanstone|, 1982 Carswell Alta. 626}}{{at-|30}}<br> | |||
{{supra1|Kamperman}}{{atL|gcm03|9}} ("There is a presumption that the information is valid on its face and the onus is upon the accused to rebut that presumption ")<br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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===Types of Errors=== | ===Types of Errors=== | ||
; Defects to the Jurat | |||
A "jurat" is the part of an information where a judicial officer certifies the document.<ref> | A "jurat" is the part of an information where a judicial officer certifies the document.<ref> | ||
http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/J/Jurat.aspx Duhaime's Law Dictionary: "jurat"<br> | http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/J/Jurat.aspx Duhaime's Law Dictionary: "jurat"<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
Where the jurat is missing, or where parts of the information were not seen by the judicial officer who certified the document, the result can be a nullification of the document.<ref> | Where the jurat is missing, or where parts of the information were not seen by the judicial officer who certified the document, the result can be a nullification of the document.<ref> | ||
e.g. | e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Yerxa|2bzfc|1991 CanLII 6234 (NB QB)|285 APR 24}}{{perNBQB|Dickson J}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Bilingualism | |||
Under [ | Under [{{CCCSec|841}} s. 841(3)] the boiler-plate or pre-printed portion of the information or indictment must be in both french and english.<ref> | ||
cf. {{CanLIIR-N|Shields|, [1990] OJ No 2534 (Ont.Dist.Ct.)}} - information a nullity, suggests ''all'' document must be bilingual<br> | |||
{{CanLIIR-N|Noiseux| (1999) 135 CCC (3d) 225}} - this also applies to release documents <br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
The failure to have an information comply with s. 841 does not render the information a nullity. Deficiencies can be corrected through amendment under s. 601.<ref> | |||
{{CanLIIRP|Goodine|1mrz1|1992 CanLII 2618 (NS CA)|71 CCC (3d) 146}}{{perNSCA|Hallett JA}} | |||
</ref> | |||
There is some suggestion that it will only be a nullity where there is prejudice to the accused.<ref> | There is some suggestion that it will only be a nullity where there is prejudice to the accused.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Sorensen|g18gr|1990 CanLII 6852 (ONSC)|59 CCC (3d) 211)}}{{perONSC|Then J}}<br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
Section 841 will not apply for summary proceedings.<ref> | Section 841 will not apply for summary proceedings.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIR-N|Joudrey| (1992), 309 APR 117 (NSPC)}} | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Lost Information | |||
A trial for a regulatory offence can still proceed despite the information having been lost. <ref> | A trial for a regulatory offence can still proceed despite the information having been lost. <ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|City of Toronto|fkqf1|2011 ONCJ 131 (CanLII)|OJ No 1293}}{{perONCJ|Green J}}</ref> | |||
; Signatures | |||
While it is acceptable for an affiant to sign by way of a rubber stamp, it is not permitted for an authorizing justice to use a stamp as it is "irreconcilable with the solemnity and importance" of the oath swearing process.<ref> | While it is acceptable for an affiant to sign by way of a rubber stamp, it is not permitted for an authorizing justice to use a stamp as it is "irreconcilable with the solemnity and importance" of the oath swearing process.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Welsford|1vk2d|1967 CanLII 36 (ON CA)|[1967] 2 OR 496}}{{perONCA|McGillivray JA}} | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
Line 123: | Line 150: | ||
===Other Errors=== | ===Other Errors=== | ||
{{ | {{quotation2| | ||
; No reference to previous conviction | |||
664 No indictment in respect of an offence for which, by reason of previous convictions, a greater punishment may be imposed shall contain any reference to previous convictions. | 664 No indictment in respect of an offence for which, by reason of previous convictions, a greater punishment may be imposed shall contain any reference to previous convictions. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
R.S., c. C-34, s. 591. | R.S., c. C-34, s. 591. | ||
| | |{{CCCSec2|664}} | ||
|{{NoteUp|664}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
==Effect of Defects and Nullities== | ==Effect of Defects and Nullities== | ||
Where a defect is found, the information cannot stand. It may only be amended within the authority of the Criminal Code.<ref> | Where a defect is found, the information cannot stand. It may only be amended within the authority of the Criminal Code.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIR-N|Vanstone|, 1982 Carswell Alta. 626}}{{at-|30}}<br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
Absent an information being a nullity, s. 601 gives the judge powers to cure defects.<ref> | Absent an information being a nullity, s. 601 gives the judge powers to cure defects.<ref> | ||
{{CanLIIRP|Awad|gg43m|2015 NSCA 10 (CanLII)|1126 APR 116}}{{perNSCA|Beverdige JA}}{{atL|gg43m|15}} citing trial judge <br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Corrections | |||
Any amendment to fix a defect must be done before the conclusion of trial.<ref> | Any amendment to fix a defect must be done before the conclusion of trial.<ref> | ||
{{supra1|Vanstone}}{{at-|30}}<br> | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||