Warrantless Searches: Difference between revisions

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''R v Golden'', [2001] 3 SCR 679,  [http://canlii.ca/t/51xm 2001 SCC 83] (CanLII){{perSCC| Iacobucci and Arbour JJ}}<br>
''R v Golden'', [2001] 3 SCR 679,  [http://canlii.ca/t/51xm 2001 SCC 83] (CanLII){{perSCC| Iacobucci and Arbour JJ}}<br>
''R v Mann'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1hmp1 2004 SCC 52] (CanLII){{perSCC| Iacobucci J}}<br>
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''R v Feeney'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr1w 1997 CanLII 342] (SCC), [1997] 2 SCR 13{{atL|1fr1w|54}}<br>
''R v Feeney'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr1w 1997 CanLII 342] (SCC), [1997] 2 SCR 13{{atL|1fr1w|54}}<br>
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Revision as of 20:14, 27 January 2021

Introduction

Police can be authorized to intrude on a person's right to privacy either through statute or by common law power.

Generally speaking, a lawful search can only be done when under judicial authorization where it is feasible to get one.[1]

Burden of Proof

An individual alleging a breach of his or her Charter rights bears the burden of proving that violation on a balance of probabilities. That being said, if the individual can demonstrate that a police search was conducted without a warrant, that search will be presumed to be unreasonable unless shown to be justified.[2] The Crown then must prove the reasonableness of the search on a balance of probabilities. [3] Reasonableness of a search has both a subjective and objective component.[4]

Entey to a Residence

The Police cannot enter into a private dwelling without a warrant, consent of the homeower(s), or without exigent circumstances.[5]

  1. Hunter v Southam Inc., [1984] 2 SCR 145, 1984 CanLII 33, per Dickson J ("where it is feasible to obtain prior authorization, ... such authorization is a precondition for a valid search and seizure ... ")
  2. Hunter v Southam Inc., supra
    R v Golden, [2001] 3 SCR 679, 2001 SCC 83 (CanLII), per Iacobucci and Arbour JJ
    R v Mann, 2004 SCC 52 (CanLII), per Iacobucci J
    R v Feeney, 1997 CanLII 342 (SCC), [1997] 2 SCR 13, at para 54
  3. see R v Caslake, 1998 CanLII 838 (SCC), [1998] 1 SCR 51, per Lamer CJ, at para 11
  4. R v Bernshaw, 1995 CanLII 150 (SCC), per Sopinka J
  5. Feeney, supra, at para 44

Categories of Searches

There are several types of warrantless searches:

  1. Search by Consent
  2. Search Incident to Investigative Detention
  3. Search Incident to Arrest
  4. Search of Abandoned Property
  5. Search in Plain View
  6. Exigent Circumstances
  7. Statutory Warrantless Search Powers

See Also