Statements Against Interest Exception: Difference between revisions

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[[fr:Exception_relative_aux_déclarations_contre_les_intérêts]]
{{Currency2|January|2016}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderHearsay}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderHearsay}}
==General Principles==
==General Principles==
{{seealso|Traditional Exceptions to Hearsay}}
{{seealso|Traditional Exceptions to Hearsay}}
The exception to hearsay includes admission that "in the broad sense refers to any statement made by a declarant and tendered as evidnece at trial by the opposing party".<ref>
The exception to hearsay includes admission that "in the broad sense refers to any statement made by a declarant and tendered as evidence at trial by the opposing party."<ref>
''R v Violette'', [http://canlii.ca/t/25xs9 2008 BCSC 422] (CanLII), [2008] BCJ No 2781{{perBCSC|Romilly J}}{{atsL|25xs9|63| to 65}} - in context of [[Wiretaps]]<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Violette|25xs9|2008 BCSC 422 (CanLII)|[2008] BCJ No 2781}}{{perBCSC|Romilly J}}{{atsL|25xs9|63| to 65}} - in context of [[Wiretaps]]<br>
</ref>
</ref>


; Statements by Accused
; Statements by Accused
A statement made by the accused is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule where the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect.<ref>
A statement made by the accused is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule where the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect.<ref>
''R v Terry'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr9t 1996 CanLII 199] (SCC), [1996] 2 SCR 207{{perSCC|McLachlin J}}{{atL|1fr9t|28}} (“an admission against interest made by the accused is admissible as a recognized exception to the hearsay rule, provided that its probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect.”)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Terry|1fr9t|1996 CanLII 199 (SCC)|[1996] 2 SCR 207}}{{perSCC-H|McLachlin J}}{{atL|1fr9t|28}} (“an admission against interest made by the accused is admissible as a recognized exception to the hearsay rule, provided that its probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect.”)<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Where a statement fits into the category of admission against interest, it becomes preemptively admissible.<ref>
Where a statement fits into the category of admission against interest, it becomes preemptively admissible.<ref>
''R v Ciancio'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1rp5c 2007 BCSC 777] (CanLII){{perBCSC|Singh J}}{{atL|1rp5c|24}} citing Sopinka on Evidence<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Ciancio|1rp5c|2007 BCSC 777 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Singh J}}{{atL|1rp5c|24}} citing Sopinka on Evidence<br>
</ref>
</ref>


There is some debate on whether an admission by the accused is hearsay at all.<ref>
There is some debate on whether an admission by the accused is hearsay at all.<ref>
e.g. ''R v Evans'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1frzq 1993 CanLII 86] (SCC), [1993] 3 SCR 653{{perSCC|Sopinka J}}{{atL|1frzq|24}}<br>
e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Evans|1frzq|1993 CanLII 86 (SCC)|[1993] 3 SCR 653}}{{perSCC-H|Sopinka J}}{{atL|1frzq|24}}<br>
{{supra1|Ciancio}}{{atsL|1rp5c|15| to 36}}<br>
{{supra1|Ciancio}}{{atsL|1rp5c|15| to 36}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


These statements can be admitted without analysis of necessity and reliability.<ref>
These statements can be admitted without analysis of necessity and reliability.<ref>
''R v Foreman'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1chv3 2002 CanLII 6305] (ON CA), (2002), 169 CCC (3d) 489 (Ont. C.A.){{perONCA|Doherty JA}}{{atp|502}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Foreman|1chv3|2002 CanLII 6305 (ON CA)|169 CCC (3d) 489}}{{perONCA-H|Doherty JA}}{{atp|502}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Statements by the accused addressed to his wife will be admissible against him.<ref>
Statements by the accused addressed to his wife will be admissible against him.<ref>
''R v RRW (No. 2)'', [http://canlii.ca/t/2c840 2010 NLTD 137] (CanLII){{perNLSC|Goodridge J}}
{{CanLIIRx|RRW (No. 2)|2c840|2010 NLTD 137 (CanLII)}}{{perNLSC|Goodridge J}}
</ref>
</ref>


; Statements by a Third Party
; Statements by a Third Party
A statement can only be binding against the party who made them. Thus, a out-of-court statement can only be admissible in a trial against the person who made them.<ref>
A statement can only be binding against the party who made them. Thus, a out-of-court statement can only be admissible in a trial against the person who made them.<ref>
''R v Abu-Sharife'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1nm3g 2006 BCSC 902] (CanLII){{perBCSC| Shabbits J}}{{atL|1nm3g|29}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Abu-Sharife|1nm3g|2006 BCSC 902 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC| Shabbits J}}{{atL|1nm3g|29}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


A statement of a third party admitting to the murder cannot be used in the murder trial of another person. The defence would have to call that third party as a witness.<ref>
A statement of a third party admitting to the murder cannot be used in the murder trial of another person. The defence would have to call that third party as a witness.<ref>
''R v Yu'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fncf 2000 BCCA 626] (CanLII){{perBCCA| Mackenzie JA}}
{{CanLIIRP|Yu|1fncf|2000 BCCA 626 (CanLII)|150 CCC (3d) 217}}{{perBCCA| Mackenzie JA}}
</ref>
 
A third-party statement is inadmissible against the accused regardless of whether it is inculpatory or exculpatory.<ref>
see, R. v. Parberry (2005), 2005 CanLII 40137 (ON CA) , 202 C.C.C. (3d) 337 (Ont. C.A.)<br>
R. v. C. (B.) (1993), 1993 CanLII 8564
</ref>
</ref>


; Statements by Co-Accused
; Statements by Co-Accused
Out-of-Court statements made by the co-accused are hearsay and cannot be used as corroborative evidence at trial of the accused.<ref>
Out-of-Court statements made by the co-accused are hearsay and cannot be used as corroborative evidence at trial of the accused.<ref>
''R v Rhyno'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g11kf 2011 NSCA 120] (CanLII){{TheCourtNSCA}}{{atL|g11kf|5}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Rhyno|g11kf|2011 NSCA 120 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtNSCA}}{{atL|g11kf|5}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>
Should the evidence be accepted as against the co-accused, limiting instructions are required to prevent its use against the accused.<ref>
Should the evidence be accepted as against the co-accused, limiting instructions are required to prevent its use against the accused.<ref>
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; Corporate Accused
; Corporate Accused
Statements made by an agent of an organization that is within his scope of authority to a third person is admissible against their interests where the statement is part of a communciation which the agent is authorized to have with the third party.<ref>
Statements made by an agent of an organization that is within his scope of authority to a third person is admissible against their interests where the statement is part of a communciation which the agent is authorized to have with the third party.<ref>
''R v Strand Electric Ltd'', [1969] 1 OR 1990, [http://canlii.ca/t/g15sq 1968 CanLII 421] (ON CA), OJ 1291 (ONCA){{perONCA|MacKay JA}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRP|Strand Electric Ltd|g15sq|1968 CanLII 421 (ON CA)|, [1969] 1 OR 1990, OJ 1291 (ONCA)}}{{perONCA|MacKay JA}}<Br>
''R v Petro Canada'', [http://canlii.ca/t/23b6m 2009 ONCJ 179] (CanLII){{perONCJ|Manno J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRP|Petro Canada|23b6m|2009 ONCJ 179 (CanLII)|82 WCB (2d) 729}}{{perONCJ|Manno J}}<Br>
''R v Dana Canada Corp.'', [http://canlii.ca/t/21tdc 2008 ONCJ 644] (CanLII), [2008] OJ 4487 (ONCJ){{perONCJ|D Harris J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRP|Dana Canada Corp|21tdc|2008 ONCJ 644 (CanLII)|[2008] OJ 4487 (ONCJ)}}{{perONCJ|D Harris J}}<Br>
''R v Syncrude'', [http://canlii.ca/t/29c6j 2010 ABPC 123] (CanLII){{perABPC| Tjosvold J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRP|Syncrude|29c6j|2010 ABPC 123 (CanLII)|491 AR 270}}{{perABPC| Tjosvold J}}<Br>
</ref>
</ref>


{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 19:42, 7 September 2024

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2016. (Rev. # 96409)

General Principles

See also: Traditional Exceptions to Hearsay

The exception to hearsay includes admission that "in the broad sense refers to any statement made by a declarant and tendered as evidence at trial by the opposing party."[1]

Statements by Accused

A statement made by the accused is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule where the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect.[2]

Where a statement fits into the category of admission against interest, it becomes preemptively admissible.[3]

There is some debate on whether an admission by the accused is hearsay at all.[4]

These statements can be admitted without analysis of necessity and reliability.[5]

Statements by the accused addressed to his wife will be admissible against him.[6]

Statements by a Third Party

A statement can only be binding against the party who made them. Thus, a out-of-court statement can only be admissible in a trial against the person who made them.[7]

A statement of a third party admitting to the murder cannot be used in the murder trial of another person. The defence would have to call that third party as a witness.[8]

A third-party statement is inadmissible against the accused regardless of whether it is inculpatory or exculpatory.[9]

Statements by Co-Accused

Out-of-Court statements made by the co-accused are hearsay and cannot be used as corroborative evidence at trial of the accused.[10] Should the evidence be accepted as against the co-accused, limiting instructions are required to prevent its use against the accused.[11]

Corporate Accused

Statements made by an agent of an organization that is within his scope of authority to a third person is admissible against their interests where the statement is part of a communciation which the agent is authorized to have with the third party.[12]

  1. R v Violette, 2008 BCSC 422 (CanLII), [2008] BCJ No 2781, per Romilly J, at paras 63 to 65 - in context of Wiretaps
  2. R v Terry, 1996 CanLII 199 (SCC), [1996] 2 SCR 207, per McLachlin J, at para 28 (“an admission against interest made by the accused is admissible as a recognized exception to the hearsay rule, provided that its probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect.”)
  3. R v Ciancio, 2007 BCSC 777 (CanLII), per Singh J, at para 24 citing Sopinka on Evidence
  4. e.g. R v Evans, 1993 CanLII 86 (SCC), [1993] 3 SCR 653, per Sopinka J, at para 24
    Ciancio, supra, at paras 15 to 36
  5. R v Foreman, 2002 CanLII 6305 (ON CA), 169 CCC (3d) 489, per Doherty JA, at p. 502
  6. R v RRW (No. 2), 2010 NLTD 137 (CanLII), per Goodridge J
  7. R v Abu-Sharife, 2006 BCSC 902 (CanLII), per Shabbits J, at para 29
  8. R v Yu, 2000 BCCA 626 (CanLII), 150 CCC (3d) 217, per Mackenzie JA
  9. see, R. v. Parberry (2005), 2005 CanLII 40137 (ON CA) , 202 C.C.C. (3d) 337 (Ont. C.A.)
    R. v. C. (B.) (1993), 1993 CanLII 8564
  10. R v Rhyno, 2011 NSCA 120 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 5
  11. Rhyno, ibid., at para 7
    Ward, supra, at paras 32-38
  12. R v Strand Electric Ltd, 1968 CanLII 421 (ON CA), , [1969] 1 OR 1990, OJ 1291 (ONCA), per MacKay JA
    R v Petro Canada, 2009 ONCJ 179 (CanLII), 82 WCB (2d) 729, per Manno J
    R v Dana Canada Corp, 2008 ONCJ 644 (CanLII), [2008] OJ 4487 (ONCJ), per D Harris J
    R v Syncrude, 2010 ABPC 123 (CanLII), 491 AR 270, per Tjosvold J