Flight from a Peace Officer (Sentencing Cases)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2017. (Rev. # 90216)

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Offence Wording

Flight from peace officer

320.17 Everyone commits an offence who operates a motor vehicle or vessel while being pursued by a peace officer and who fails, without reasonable excuse, to stop the motor vehicle or vessel as soon as is reasonable in the circumstances.

2018, c. 21, s. 15.

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

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Punishment

320.19
[omitted (1), (2), (3) and (4)]

Punishment — dangerous operation and other offences

(5) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection 320.13(1) [dangerous operation] or 320.16(1) [failure to stop after accident], section 320.17 [flight from peace officer] or subsection 320.18(1) [operation while prohibited] is liable

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years; or

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day.

2018, c. 21, s. 15.
[annotation(s) added]

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

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Case Digests

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Bridgman, 2016 ABCA 415 (CanLII), per Martin JA	AB	CA	6 months imprisonment (dangerous) 15 months (flight)	Find summaries of case.
R v Bonneteau, 2016 MBCA 72 (CanLII), 131 WCB (2d) 456, per Pfuetzner JA	MB	CA	24 months (flight) 24 months (dangerous) 18 months (theft under) 1 month (Assault PO) 18 months (assault, weapon)	The offender plead guilty to the offence(s) of theft under $5,000, assault peace officer, breach of recog, flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, and assault with a weapon. Find summaries of case.
R v Chaaban, 2011 ABPC 310 (CanLII), per Anderson J	AB	PC	8 months CSO	Find summaries of case.
R v Johnston, 2004 ONCJ 111 (CanLII), per DiGiuseppe J	ON	PC		Find summaries of case.
R v Pellizzon, 2003 ABCA 347 (CanLII), per Fruman JA	AB	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v McLeod, 2003 YKSC 70 (CanLII), per Gower J	YK	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Tabor, 2004 BCCA 191 (CanLII), per Donald JA	BC	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Joyea, 2004 SKCA 17 (CanLII), per Gerwing JA	SK	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Nowlin, 2004 MBCA 44 (CanLII), per Huband JA	MB	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Major, 2003 CanLII 19300 (QC CQ), per Auger J	QC	PC	18 months (flight) 3 years (assault PO) 18 months (obstruct)	Offender was impaired and engaged in a street race, intentionally hitting another car. Police chase him, he threatened police with an axe and strangled officer causing harm. 5 year driving prohibition Find summaries of case.
R v Sturge, 2001 CanLII 8601 (ON CA), per curiam	ON	CA	18 months (flight) 6 years (global)	Offender committed 7 robberies on a spree and was pursued by police in a stolen car. He struck and injured a police officer in process. Find summaries of case.