Causation: Difference between revisions
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Certain offences in the Criminal Code require not only that the offender do a prohibited act along with the requisite mens rea, but also that the act caused a particular result. | Certain offences in the Criminal Code require not only that the offender do a prohibited act along with the requisite mens rea, but also that the act caused a particular result. | ||
Criminal responsibility for causation must be established in fact and in law.<Ref> | Criminal responsibility for causation must be established in fact and in law.<Ref> | ||
R v Nette, [http://canlii.ca/t/51x9 2001 SCC 78] (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488{{perSCC|Arbour J}}, at para 44 | ''R v Nette'', [http://canlii.ca/t/51x9 2001 SCC 78] (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488{{perSCC|Arbour J}}, at para 44 | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
This makes a distinction between the physical, biological, or medical cause a particular result and the legal boundary that would attribute responsibility to the accused for the result. | This makes a distinction between the physical, biological, or medical cause a particular result and the legal boundary that would attribute responsibility to the accused for the result. | ||
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The criminal standard of causation in criminal matters is that the "accused's conduct be at least a contributing cause of the [result], outside the de minimis range"<ref> | The criminal standard of causation in criminal matters is that the "accused's conduct be at least a contributing cause of the [result], outside the de minimis range"<ref> | ||
KL{{supra}} at para 17 citing: <br> | KL{{supra}} at para 17 citing: <br> | ||
R v Smithers, [http://canlii.ca/t/1mk9r 1977 CanLII 7] (SCC), [1978] 1 SCR 506{{perSCC|Dickson J}} at p. 519<br> | ''R v Smithers'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1mk9r 1977 CanLII 7] (SCC), [1978] 1 SCR 506{{perSCC|Dickson J}} at p. 519<br> | ||
R v Nette, [http://canlii.ca/t/51x9 2001 SCC 78] (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488{{perSCC|Arbour J}} at paras 71 and 72<br> | ''R v Nette'', [http://canlii.ca/t/51x9 2001 SCC 78] (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488{{perSCC|Arbour J}} at paras 71 and 72<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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The inference of foreseeability can be rebutted with evidence of intoxication.<Ref> | The inference of foreseeability can be rebutted with evidence of intoxication.<Ref> | ||
R v Seymour, [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr9z 1996 CanLII 201], [1996] 2 SCR 252{{perSCC|Cory J}} at para 23<br> | ''R v Seymour'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr9z 1996 CanLII 201], [1996] 2 SCR 252{{perSCC|Cory J}} at para 23<br> | ||
See R v Daley, [http://canlii.ca/t/1v5dr 2007 SCC 53] (CanLII), [2007] 3 SCR 523{{perSCC|Bastarache J}} for details on the law of intoxication<br> | See ''R v Daley'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1v5dr 2007 SCC 53] (CanLII), [2007] 3 SCR 523{{perSCC|Bastarache J}} for details on the law of intoxication<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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==Causation by Offence== | ==Causation by Offence== | ||
A person who intentionally stabs another person will generally be considered to have intended to cause bodily harm.<ref> | A person who intentionally stabs another person will generally be considered to have intended to cause bodily harm.<ref> | ||
R v Abbaya, [http://canlii.ca/t/5qt5 2000 ABPC 202] (CanLII){{perABPC|Allen J}} at para 76<br> | ''R v Abbaya'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5qt5 2000 ABPC 202] (CanLII){{perABPC|Allen J}} at para 76<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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===Accident=== | ===Accident=== | ||
A panic response to circumstances may render an act involuntary.<ref> | A panic response to circumstances may render an act involuntary.<ref> | ||
R v Leinen, [http://canlii.ca/t/g01l8 2013 ABCA 283] (CanLII){{perABCA|Hunt JA}} at para 117<br> | ''R v Leinen'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g01l8 2013 ABCA 283] (CanLII){{perABCA|Hunt JA}} at para 117<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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==Case Digests== | ==Case Digests== | ||
* R v Kippax, [http://canlii.ca/t/fp7n6 2011 ONCA 766] (CanLII){{perONCA|Watt JA}} at 21-28 | * ''R v Kippax'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fp7n6 2011 ONCA 766] (CanLII){{perONCA|Watt JA}} at 21-28 | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Parties to an Offence]] | * [[Parties to an Offence]] | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 12 January 2019
- < Criminal Law
- < Proof of Elements
General Principles
Certain offences in the Criminal Code require not only that the offender do a prohibited act along with the requisite mens rea, but also that the act caused a particular result. Criminal responsibility for causation must be established in fact and in law.[1] This makes a distinction between the physical, biological, or medical cause a particular result and the legal boundary that would attribute responsibility to the accused for the result.
The standard to prove causation is the same as between all homicide offences, including murder, manslaughter, operation of a motor vehicle causing death.[2] Likewise, the standard applies equally to offences involving bodily harm.
The criminal standard of causation in criminal matters is that the "accused's conduct be at least a contributing cause of the [result], outside the de minimis range"[3]
Criminal law does not include any issues of contributory negligence nor does it apportion responsibility for harm caused outside of sentencing.[4]
The inference of foreseeability can be rebutted with evidence of intoxication.[5]
- ↑ R v Nette, 2001 SCC 78 (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488, per Arbour J, at para 44
- ↑ R v KL, 2009 ONCA 141 (CanLII), per Watt JA at para 17
- ↑
KL, supra at para 17 citing:
R v Smithers, 1977 CanLII 7 (SCC), [1978] 1 SCR 506, per Dickson J at p. 519
R v Nette, 2001 SCC 78 (CanLII), [2001] 3 SCR 488, per Arbour J at paras 71 and 72
- ↑ Nette, supra at para 49
KL, supra at para 18 - ↑
R v Seymour, 1996 CanLII 201, [1996] 2 SCR 252, per Cory J at para 23
See R v Daley, 2007 SCC 53 (CanLII), [2007] 3 SCR 523, per Bastarache J for details on the law of intoxication
Offences where causation is an essential element
- Homicide (Murder and Manslaughter)
- Attempt Murder
- Assault causing bodily harm (267)
- Aggravated Assault (268)
- Sexual Assault causing bodily harm
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm
- Dangerous Driving Causing Death
- Fraud (380)
- Self-Defence and Defence of Another
Causation by Offence
A person who intentionally stabs another person will generally be considered to have intended to cause bodily harm.[1]
- ↑
R v Abbaya, 2000 ABPC 202 (CanLII), per Allen J at para 76
Homicide
Accident
A panic response to circumstances may render an act involuntary.[1]
- ↑
R v Leinen, 2013 ABCA 283 (CanLII), per Hunt JA at para 117
Case Digests
- R v Kippax, 2011 ONCA 766 (CanLII), per Watt JA at 21-28