State and Police Misconduct as a Sentencing Factor: Difference between revisions

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{{seealso|Sentencing Factors Relating to the Offence}}
{{seealso|Sentencing Factors Relating to the Offence}}
A sentence may “be reduced in light of state misconduct even when the incidents complained of do not rise to the level of a Charter breach.”<ref>R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC| J}} at para 53</ref>
A sentence may “be reduced in light of state misconduct even when the incidents complained of do not rise to the level of a Charter breach.”<ref>R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC|LeBel J}} at para 53</ref>


Section 7 of the Charter includes "a right to be secure against arbitrary force, especially physical force, by state actors."<ref>
Section 7 of the Charter includes "a right to be secure against arbitrary force, especially physical force, by state actors."<ref>
R v Tran, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bcj6 2010 ONCA 471] (CanLII){{perONCA| JA}} at para 48<br>
R v Tran, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bcj6 2010 ONCA 471] (CanLII){{perONCA|Epstein JA}} at para 48<br>
</ref>
</ref>


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==Police Misconduct==
==Police Misconduct==
Police misconduct during an investigation can play a factor in sentencing.<ref>
Police misconduct during an investigation can play a factor in sentencing.<ref>
R v Pigeon [http://canlii.ca/t/1d9hn 1992 CanLII 869] (BCCA){{perBCCA| JA}}</ref>  
R v Pigeon [http://canlii.ca/t/1d9hn 1992 CanLII 869] (BCCA){{perBCCA|Carrothers JA}}</ref>  
This includes having a mitigating factor where an accused's Charter rights have been breached.<ref>
This includes having a mitigating factor where an accused's Charter rights have been breached.<ref>
R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC| J}}</ref>
R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC|LeBel J}}</ref>


However, conduct amounting to basic violation of a procedural right under the charter will not usually result in a reduction where the breach does not invoke s. 24(1) of the Charter. <ref>
However, conduct amounting to basic violation of a procedural right under the charter will not usually result in a reduction where the breach does not invoke s. 24(1) of the Charter. <ref>
eg. R v Charanek, [http://canlii.ca/t/fpcnj 2011 ABPC 374] (CanLII){{perABPC| J}}</ref>
eg. R v Charanek, [http://canlii.ca/t/fpcnj 2011 ABPC 374] (CanLII){{perABPC|Fradsham J}}</ref>


In exceptional cases, the charges may be stayed.<ref>
In exceptional cases, the charges may be stayed.<ref>
R v Tran, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bcj6 2010 ONCA 471] (CanLII){{perONCA| JA}}
R v Tran, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bcj6 2010 ONCA 471] (CanLII){{perONCA|Epstein JA}}
</ref>
</ref>


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Where a peace officer uses force that is not covered by s.25, a possible violation of the accused’s section 7 Charter rights arises.<ref>Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”</ref>
Where a peace officer uses force that is not covered by s.25, a possible violation of the accused’s section 7 Charter rights arises.<ref>Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”</ref>


There is a violation of the “security of the person” in the context of a criminal prosecution where there is “state interference with bodily integrity and serious state-imposed psychological stress”<ref>R v Morgentaler, [1988] 1 SCR 30, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftjt 1988 CanLII 90] (SCC){{perSCC| J}}</ref>
There is a violation of the “security of the person” in the context of a criminal prosecution where there is “state interference with bodily integrity and serious state-imposed psychological stress”<ref>R v Morgentaler, [1988] 1 SCR 30, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftjt 1988 CanLII 90] (SCC){{perSCC|Dickson CJ}}</ref>


Peace officers are expected to use force to effect an arrest or prevent flight from custody. This power is constrained by proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness.<Ref>R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC| J}} at para 32</ref>
Peace officers are expected to use force to effect an arrest or prevent flight from custody. This power is constrained by proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness.<Ref>R v Nasogaluak, [http://canlii.ca/t/2848x 2010 SCC 6] (CanLII){{perSCC|LeBel J}} at para 32</ref>


Use of force under s.25(3) is determined on a subjective and objective basis.<ref>Chartier v Greave, [2001] OJ No. 634 (ONSC){{NOCANLII}} at 29</ref>
Use of force under s.25(3) is determined on a subjective and objective basis.<ref>Chartier v Greave, [2001] OJ No. 634 (ONSC){{NOCANLII}} at 29</ref>
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Abuse by police may also give rise to a claim of civil damages.<ref>
Abuse by police may also give rise to a claim of civil damages.<ref>
Crampton v Walton, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtpq 2005 ABCA 81] (CanLII){{perABCA| JA}}
Crampton v Walton, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtpq 2005 ABCA 81] (CanLII){{perABCA|Fruman JA}}
</ref>
</ref>


When considering reasonableness of police actions, factors can be considered including:<Ref>
When considering reasonableness of police actions, factors can be considered including:<Ref>
R v Magiskan, [2003] O.J. No. 4490 (S.C.J.), [http://canlii.ca/t/fzs 2003 CanLII 859] (ON SC){{perONSC|Zelinski J}} <br>
R v Magiskan, [2003] O.J. No. 4490 (S.C.J.), [http://canlii.ca/t/fzs 2003 CanLII 859] (ON SC){{perONSC|Zelinski J}} <br>
R v Tang, [http://canlii.ca/t/fnl1b 2011 ONCJ 525] (CanLII){{perONCJ| J}} at para 81<br>
R v Tang, [http://canlii.ca/t/fnl1b 2011 ONCJ 525] (CanLII){{perONCJ|Reinhardt J}} at para 81<br>
</ref>
</ref>
:(a)  the nature and seriousness of the offence for which the arrest is being made (one does not engage a bulldozer when a flyswatter is sufficient).
:(a)  the nature and seriousness of the offence for which the arrest is being made (one does not engage a bulldozer when a flyswatter is sufficient).

Revision as of 23:21, 25 December 2018

General Principles

See also: Sentencing Factors Relating to the Offence

A sentence may “be reduced in light of state misconduct even when the incidents complained of do not rise to the level of a Charter breach.”[1]

Section 7 of the Charter includes "a right to be secure against arbitrary force, especially physical force, by state actors."[2]

  1. ↑ R v Nasogaluak, 2010 SCC 6 (CanLII), per LeBel J at para 53
  2. ↑ R v Tran, 2010 ONCA 471 (CanLII), per Epstein JA at para 48

Police Misconduct

Police misconduct during an investigation can play a factor in sentencing.[1] This includes having a mitigating factor where an accused's Charter rights have been breached.[2]

However, conduct amounting to basic violation of a procedural right under the charter will not usually result in a reduction where the breach does not invoke s. 24(1) of the Charter. [3]

In exceptional cases, the charges may be stayed.[4]

Use of Force by Peace Officers

Protection of persons acting under authority
25. (1) Every one who is required or authorized by law to do anything in the administration or enforcement of the law

(a) as a private person,
(b) as a peace officer or public officer,
(c) in aid of a peace officer or public officer, or
(d) by virtue of his office,

is, if he acts on reasonable grounds, justified in doing what he is required or authorized to do and in using as much force as is necessary for that purpose.
Idem
(2) Where a person is required or authorized by law to execute a process or to carry out a sentence, that person or any person who assists him is, if that person acts in good faith, justified in executing the process or in carrying out the sentence notwithstanding that the process or sentence is defective or that it was issued or imposed without jurisdiction or in excess of jurisdiction.
When not protected
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a person is not justified for the purposes of subsection (1) in using force that is intended or is likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm unless the person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary for the self-preservation of the person or the preservation of any one under that person’s protection from death or grievous bodily harm.
When protected
(4) A peace officer, and every person lawfully assisting the peace officer, is justified in using force that is intended or is likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm to a person to be arrested, if

(a) the peace officer is proceeding lawfully to arrest, with or without warrant, the person to be arrested;
(b) the offence for which the person is to be arrested is one for which that person may be arrested without warrant;
(c) the person to be arrested takes flight to avoid arrest;
(d) the peace officer or other person using the force believes on reasonable grounds that the force is necessary for the purpose of protecting the peace officer, the person lawfully assisting the peace officer or any other person from imminent or future death or grievous bodily harm; and
(e) the flight cannot be prevented by reasonable means in a less violent manner.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 25; 1994, c. 12, s. 1.


– CCC

Where a peace officer uses force that is not covered by s.25, a possible violation of the accused’s section 7 Charter rights arises.[5]

There is a violation of the “security of the person” in the context of a criminal prosecution where there is “state interference with bodily integrity and serious state-imposed psychological stress”[6]

Peace officers are expected to use force to effect an arrest or prevent flight from custody. This power is constrained by proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness.[7]

Use of force under s.25(3) is determined on a subjective and objective basis.[8]

Police should not be judged on a standard of perfection. It should be expected that they will be reacting quickly in emergency situations.[9]

Abuse by police may also give rise to a claim of civil damages.[10]

When considering reasonableness of police actions, factors can be considered including:[11]

(a) the nature and seriousness of the offence for which the arrest is being made (one does not engage a bulldozer when a flyswatter is sufficient).
(b) the certitude of the fact of the offence which is the basis of the arrest having taken place (Persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. The more that is known about the circumstances that establish guilt, the more thorough the inquiry, the more complete the objective evidence and the more reasonable the grounds upon which the arrest is made are important considerations which govern necessity and reasonableness).
(c) the need for detention as an aspect of intervention;
(d) the protection of the officers and other persons from violence;
(e) the prospect of flight/escape;
(f) the likelihood of continuation/resumption of offending conduct;
(g) the apparent physical condition of the person being arrested and/or alleged victims;
(h) police modules and training affecting the use of force;
(i) the prospect of escalation and retaliation;
(j) knowledge of the identity and access to the person to be arrested; (A person who is to be arrested does not, of necessity, have to be arrested at that time and place if use of force is contemplated when it is reasonable that this can be accomplished on another occasion without violence or with less violence.);
(k) the nature and extent of the force reasonably contemplated as likely to be necessary;
(l) other exigent circumstances.
  1. ↑ R v Pigeon 1992 CanLII 869 (BCCA), per Carrothers JA
  2. ↑ R v Nasogaluak, 2010 SCC 6 (CanLII), per LeBel J
  3. ↑ eg. R v Charanek, 2011 ABPC 374 (CanLII), per Fradsham J
  4. ↑ R v Tran, 2010 ONCA 471 (CanLII), per Epstein JA
  5. ↑ Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”
  6. ↑ R v Morgentaler, [1988] 1 SCR 30, 1988 CanLII 90 (SCC), per Dickson CJ
  7. ↑ R v Nasogaluak, 2010 SCC 6 (CanLII), per LeBel J at para 32
  8. ↑ Chartier v Greave, [2001] OJ No. 634 (ONSC)(*no CanLII links) at 29
  9. ↑ R v Nasogaluak, supra at para 35
  10. ↑ Crampton v Walton, 2005 ABCA 81 (CanLII), per Fruman JA
  11. ↑ R v Magiskan, [2003] O.J. No. 4490 (S.C.J.), 2003 CanLII 859 (ON SC), per Zelinski J
    R v Tang, 2011 ONCJ 525 (CanLII), per Reinhardt J at para 81

See Also

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