Restraint Principle: Difference between revisions

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Where other dispositions have been tried and failed, and jail has not previously been imposed, the imposition of a "short, sharp" sentence can be appropriate, particularly where the offence is related to property and not violence.<ref>
Where other dispositions have been tried and failed, and jail has not previously been imposed, the imposition of a "short, sharp" sentence can be appropriate, particularly where the offence is related to property and not violence.<ref>
R v Vandale (1974), 21 CCC (2d) 250 (ONCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htxjw 1974 CanLII 1610] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}} citing McKenna J. of the English Court of Appeal in R v Curran (1973), 57 Crim. App. R. 945 ("As a general rule it is undesirable that a first sentence of immediate imprisonment should be very long, disproportionate to the gravity of the offence and imposed as this sentence was for reasons of general deterrence, that is, as a warning to others.")</ref>
''R v Vandale'' (1974), 21 CCC (2d) 250 (ONCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htxjw 1974 CanLII 1610] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}} citing McKenna J. of the English Court of Appeal in ''R v Curran'' (1973), 57 Crim. App. R. 945 ("As a general rule it is undesirable that a first sentence of immediate imprisonment should be very long, disproportionate to the gravity of the offence and imposed as this sentence was for reasons of general deterrence, that is, as a warning to others.")</ref>


Where mental health issues played a central role in the commission of the offence, deterrence and punishment are of less importance.<ref>
Where mental health issues played a central role in the commission of the offence, deterrence and punishment are of less importance.<ref>
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==First-time Offenders==
==First-time Offenders==
Where a first-time offender is to be sentenced a judge should consider all possible dispositions other than incarceration. Custody should only be imposed where "the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate".<ref>
Where a first-time offender is to be sentenced a judge should consider all possible dispositions other than incarceration. Custody should only be imposed where "the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate".<ref>
R v Stein (1974), 15 CCC (2d) 376 (ONCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htwh4 1974 CanLII 1615] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}}, at para 4 ("In our view, before imposing a custodial sentence upon a first offender the sentencing Court should explore the other dispositions which are open to him and only impose a custodial sentence where the circumstances are such, or the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate")<br>
''R v Stein'' (1974), 15 CCC (2d) 376 (ONCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htwh4 1974 CanLII 1615] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}}, at para 4 ("In our view, before imposing a custodial sentence upon a first offender the sentencing Court should explore the other dispositions which are open to him and only impose a custodial sentence where the circumstances are such, or the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate")<br>
R v Priest, [http://canlii.ca/t/6hxl 1996 CanLII 1381] (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3d) 538{{perONCA|Rosenberg JA}}, at para. 20 ("The duty to explore other dispositions for a first offender before imposing a custodial sentence is not an empty formalism which can be avoided merely by invoking the objective of general deterrence. It should be clear from the record of the proceedings, preferably in the trial judge’s reasons, why the circumstances of this particular case require that this first ")<Br>
R v Priest, [http://canlii.ca/t/6hxl 1996 CanLII 1381] (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3d) 538{{perONCA|Rosenberg JA}}, at para. 20 ("The duty to explore other dispositions for a first offender before imposing a custodial sentence is not an empty formalism which can be avoided merely by invoking the objective of general deterrence. It should be clear from the record of the proceedings, preferably in the trial judge’s reasons, why the circumstances of this particular case require that this first ")<Br>
R v  Pierce, [http://canlii.ca/t/6hxl 1996 CanLII 1381] (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3rd) 538 (Ont. C.A.){{TheCourtONCA}} (3:0) - courts should consider non-custodial sentences in appropriate cases of first time offenders
R v  Pierce, [http://canlii.ca/t/6hxl 1996 CanLII 1381] (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3rd) 538 (Ont. C.A.){{TheCourtONCA}} (3:0) - courts should consider non-custodial sentences in appropriate cases of first time offenders

Revision as of 03:54, 13 January 2019

General Principles

The principle of restraint is found in s. 718.2(d) and (e).[1]

Section 718.2 states, in part:

718.2
...

(d) an offender should not be deprived of liberty, if less restrictive sanctions may be appropriate in the circumstances; and
(e) all available sanctions other than imprisonment that are reasonable in the circumstances should be considered for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of aboriginal offenders.

1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1997, c. 23, s. 17; 2000, c. 12, s. 95; 2001, c. 32, s. 44(F), c. 41, s. 20; 2005, c. 32, s. 25; 2012, c. 29, s. 2; 2015, c. 13, s. 24, c. 23, s. 16.


– CCC

Restraint is an important principle that should be "used in an appropriately reasonable but humane manner". It should "invigorat[e] the confidence of the public that sentences imposed are both just and fair".[2]

The principle operates to permit judges to pose "a just and appropriate punishment, and nothing more".[3]

An overly harsh or oppressive sentences that "fail to acknowledge the unique circumstances and facts of a case will not be seen as fair or rational".[4]

The principle also requires the judge to consider rehabilitation in setting the length of the sentence.[5]

"General deterrence cannot be the sole consideration. Appropriate consideration must be given to the rehabilitation of the offender."[6]

Parliament codified the principle of restraint in order to limit the use of incarceration.[7]

Restraint not only means that prison should be a sanction of last resort, but also means that the court should "seek the least intrusive sentence and the least quantum which will achieve the overall purpose of being an appropriate and just sanction."[8]

Where other dispositions have been tried and failed, and jail has not previously been imposed, the imposition of a "short, sharp" sentence can be appropriate, particularly where the offence is related to property and not violence.[9]

Where mental health issues played a central role in the commission of the offence, deterrence and punishment are of less importance.[10]

  1. ↑ R v MacDonald, 1997 CanLII 9710 (SK CA), (1997), 113 CCC (3d) 418, per Lane JA at para 147, concurring with Sherstobitoff JA ("I read s. 718.2(d) and (e) as a clear intention on the part of Parliament to reduce institutional incarceration and to adopt the principle of restraint.")
    R v Gladue, [1999] 1 SCR 688, 1999 CanLII 679 (SCC), per Cory and Iacobucci JJ at paras 37 to 41
  2. ↑ R v May, 2012 ABCA 213 (CanLII), per curiam (3:0)
  3. ↑ R v CAM, [1996] 1 SCR 500, 1996 CanLII 230 (SCC), per Lamer CJ at para 80
  4. ↑ R v Thompson, 2017 NSPC 18 (CanLII), per Derrick J at para 73
    R v Lacasse, 2015 SCC 64 (CanLII), per Wagner J (5:2) at para 3 ("The credibility of the criminal justice system in the eyes of the public depends on the fitness of sentences imposed on offenders. A sentence that is unfit, whether because it is too harsh or too lenient, could cause the public to question the credibility of the system in light of its objectives.")
  5. ↑ R v Batisse, 2009 ONCA 114 (CanLII), per Gillese JA (2:1), at para 33
  6. ↑ R v Blanas, 2006 CanLII 2610 (ON CA), (2006), 207 O.A.C. 226, per curiam, at para 5
  7. ↑ Batisse, supra at para 35
  8. ↑ R v Hamilton 2004 CanLII 5549 (ON CA), per Doherty JA at para 96
  9. ↑ R v Vandale (1974), 21 CCC (2d) 250 (ONCA), 1974 CanLII 1610 (ON CA), per Martin JA citing McKenna J. of the English Court of Appeal in R v Curran (1973), 57 Crim. App. R. 945 ("As a general rule it is undesirable that a first sentence of immediate imprisonment should be very long, disproportionate to the gravity of the offence and imposed as this sentence was for reasons of general deterrence, that is, as a warning to others.")
  10. ↑ Batisse, supra at para 38

First-time Offenders

Where a first-time offender is to be sentenced a judge should consider all possible dispositions other than incarceration. Custody should only be imposed where "the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate".[1] It is preferable in most cases that non-violent first time offenders be punished in other ways than incarceration.[2]

For first time offenders, the principle of restraint "requires that the sentencing judge consider all sanctions apart from incarceration" and where necessary ensure the term be as "short as possible and tailored to the circumstances of the accused".[3]

Offences of Violence

Certain violent offences will attract a jail sentence despite being a first offence.<ref> R v Perlin, [1977] N.S.J. No. 548, per A Macdonald JA at para. 8 ("In my opinion the over riding consideration in sentencing with respect to crimes of violence must be deterrence and it is for such reason that save for exceptional cases substantial terms of imprisonment must be imposed.")
R v MacNeil, 2009 NSSC 310 (CanLII), per S Macdonald J citing Perlin, supra at para 31

  1. ↑ R v Stein (1974), 15 CCC (2d) 376 (ONCA), 1974 CanLII 1615 (ON CA), per Martin JA, at para 4 ("In our view, before imposing a custodial sentence upon a first offender the sentencing Court should explore the other dispositions which are open to him and only impose a custodial sentence where the circumstances are such, or the offence is of such gravity that no other sentence is appropriate")
    R v Priest, 1996 CanLII 1381 (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3d) 538, per Rosenberg JA, at para. 20 ("The duty to explore other dispositions for a first offender before imposing a custodial sentence is not an empty formalism which can be avoided merely by invoking the objective of general deterrence. It should be clear from the record of the proceedings, preferably in the trial judge’s reasons, why the circumstances of this particular case require that this first ")
    R v  Pierce, 1996 CanLII 1381 (ON CA), [1996] 30 O.R. (3rd) 538 (Ont. C.A.), per curiam (3:0) - courts should consider non-custodial sentences in appropriate cases of first time offenders
  2. ↑ R v Laschalt, (1993), 81 CCC (3d) 154, 1993 CanLII 14689 (MB CA), per Sinclair JA at p. 59 ("The imprisonment of non-violent first offenders is counter-productive. It strains a system already strained by more violence and repeat offenders than it can rehabilitate. It often results in a first offender emerging bitter and more ready to commit further crimes. Better that a non-violent, first offender be punished in another way")
  3. ↑ R v Battise, 2009 ONCA 114 (CanLII), per Gillese JA at para 32
    Priest, supra at p. 545

See Also

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