Warrantless Searches
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]
- ↑ 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 ... ")
- ↑
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
- ↑ see R v Caslake, 1998 CanLII 838 (SCC), [1998] 1 SCR 51, per Lamer CJ at para 11
- ↑ R v Bernshaw, 1995 CanLII 150 (SCC), per Sopinka J
- ↑ Feeney, supra at para 44
Categories of Searches
There are several types of warrantless searches:
- Search by Consent
- Search Incident to Investigative Detention
- Search Incident to Arrest
- Search of Abandoned Property
- Search in Plain View
- Exigent Circumstances
- Statutory Warrantless Search Powers