Position of Trust as a Factor in Sentencing: Difference between revisions

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{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderPrinciples}}
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==General Principles==
==General Principles==
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It is an aggravating factor in sentencing for the offender to have been in a position of trust.<ref>
It is an aggravating factor in sentencing for the offender to have been in a position of trust.<ref>
see [{{CCCSec|718.2}} s. 718.2(a)(iii)]</ref>
see [{{CCCSec|718.2}} s. 718.2(a)(iii)]</ref>
A position of trust is distinctive from a position of authority and will be determined on the specific facts including the conduct of the offender.<ref>Audet [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr9r 1996 CanLII 198] (SCC), [1996] 2 SCR 171{{perSCC|La Forest J}}</ref>
A position of trust is distinctive from a position of authority and will be determined on the specific facts including the conduct of the offender.<ref>
''R v Audet'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr9r 1996 CanLII 198] (SCC), [1996] 2 SCR 171{{perSCC|La Forest J}}</ref>


"Position of trust" is not defined in the criminal code. Courts will occasionally resort to the use of dictionary definition to interpret its meaning.<ref>
"Position of trust" is not defined in the criminal code. Courts will occasionally resort to the use of dictionary definition to interpret its meaning.<ref>
''R v MC'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fr2tj 2012 ONSC 2505] (CanLII){{perONSC|Thorburn J}}{{at|26}}<br>
''R v MC'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fr2tj 2012 ONSC 2505] (CanLII){{perONSC|Thorburn J}}{{atL|fr2tj|26}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


"Trust" refers to "confidence in or reliance on some quality or attribute of a person".<ref>
"Trust" refers to "confidence in or reliance on some quality or attribute of a person".<ref>
Audet{{at|35}}</ref>  
{{supra1|Audet}}{{atL|1fr9r|35}}</ref>  
In considering whether there is a position of trust, courts must consider parliament's purpose in protecting young persons who are vulnerable and weak in relation to the accused.<ref>
In considering whether there is a position of trust, courts must consider parliament's purpose in protecting young persons who are vulnerable and weak in relation to the accused.<ref>
{{supra1|Audet}}{{at|36}}</ref>
{{supra1|Audet}}{{atL|1fr9r|36}}</ref>


The existence will depend on "all the factual circumstances relevant to the characterization of the relationship".<ref>
The existence will depend on "all the factual circumstances relevant to the characterization of the relationship".<ref>
Line 19: Line 19:
</ref>
</ref>


Considerations include:<ref>Audet</ref>
Considerations include:<ref>
{{supra1|Audet}}
</ref>
* difference in ages
* difference in ages
* evolution of the relationship
* evolution of the relationship
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; Limited Trust Positions
; Limited Trust Positions
Adult persons who enter into relationships with young persons can put themselves into "qualified positions of trust" or form "low-end trust relationships".<ref>
Adult persons who enter into relationships with young persons can put themselves into "qualified positions of trust" or form "low-end trust relationships".<ref>
see ''R v Fones'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fv825 2012 MBCA 110] (CanLII), [2012] M.J. No. 407{{perMBCA|Hamilton JA}}{{at|68}}<br>
see ''R v Fones'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fv825 2012 MBCA 110] (CanLII), [2012] M.J. No. 407{{perMBCA|Hamilton JA}}{{atL|fv825|68}}<br>
''R v R(GW)'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fmh2k 2011 MBCA 62] (CanLII), [2011] M.J. No. 246{{perMBCA|Steel JA}}{{at|42}}<br>
''R v R(GW)'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fmh2k 2011 MBCA 62] (CanLII), [2011] M.J. No. 246{{perMBCA|Steel JA}}{{atL|fmh2k|42}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


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; Employees
; Employees
An aircraft maintenance employee is not in a position of trust with respect to passengers on a plane.<ref>
An aircraft maintenance employee is not in a position of trust with respect to passengers on a plane.<ref>
''R v Rocha'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fq4vd 2012 ABPC 24] (CanLII){{perABPC| Groves J}} - offence of voyeurism by taking photos up the skirt of a passenger<br>
''R v Rocha'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fq4vd 2012 ABPC 24] (CanLII){{perABPC| Groves J}} (offence of voyeurism by taking photos up the skirt of a passenger)<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Revision as of 19:37, 24 August 2019

General Principles

It is an aggravating factor in sentencing for the offender to have been in a position of trust.[1] A position of trust is distinctive from a position of authority and will be determined on the specific facts including the conduct of the offender.[2]

"Position of trust" is not defined in the criminal code. Courts will occasionally resort to the use of dictionary definition to interpret its meaning.[3]

"Trust" refers to "confidence in or reliance on some quality or attribute of a person".[4] In considering whether there is a position of trust, courts must consider parliament's purpose in protecting young persons who are vulnerable and weak in relation to the accused.[5]

The existence will depend on "all the factual circumstances relevant to the characterization of the relationship".[6]

Considerations include:[7]

  • difference in ages
  • evolution of the relationship
  • status of the accused in relation to the victim
Limited Trust Positions

Adult persons who enter into relationships with young persons can put themselves into "qualified positions of trust" or form "low-end trust relationships".[8]

Child Abuse

A person who is a babysitter will generally be considered in a position of trust.[9]

Employees

An aircraft maintenance employee is not in a position of trust with respect to passengers on a plane.[10]

  1. ↑ see s. 718.2(a)(iii)
  2. ↑ R v Audet, 1996 CanLII 198 (SCC), [1996] 2 SCR 171, per La Forest J
  3. ↑ R v MC, 2012 ONSC 2505 (CanLII), per Thorburn J, at para 26
  4. ↑ Audet, supra, at para 35
  5. ↑ Audet, supra, at para 36
  6. ↑ Audet, supra
  7. ↑ Audet, supra
  8. ↑ see R v Fones, 2012 MBCA 110 (CanLII), [2012] M.J. No. 407, per Hamilton JA, at para 68
    R v R(GW), 2011 MBCA 62 (CanLII), [2011] M.J. No. 246, per Steel JA, at para 42
  9. ↑ e.g. R v AGA, 2010 ABCA 61 (CanLII), per curiam
  10. ↑ R v Rocha, 2012 ABPC 24 (CanLII), per Groves J (offence of voyeurism by taking photos up the skirt of a passenger)

See Also

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