Template:SentencingBrief PART VI

PART VI: AGGRAVATING AND MITIGATING FACTORS IN THIS CASE(e)

[X] Section 718.2 obliges the sentencing judge to increase and decrease a potential sentence on consideration of the enumerated aggravating and mitigating features that go to the gravity of the offence and degree of responsibility of the offender. The section states the following:

Other sentencing principles
718.2 A court that imposes a sentence shall also take into consideration the following principles:

(a) a sentence should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

(i) evidence that the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor,

(ii) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused the offender’s spouse or common-law partner,

(ii.1) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused a person under the age of eighteen years,

(iii) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused a position of trust or authority in relation to the victim,

(iii.1) evidence that the offence had a significant impact on the victim, considering their age and other personal circumstances, including their health and financial situation,

(iv) evidence that the offence was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization,

(v) evidence that the offence was a terrorism offence, or

(vi) evidence that the offence was committed while the offender was subject to a conditional sentence order made under section 742.1 or released on parole, statutory release or unescorted temporary absence under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act shall be deemed to be aggravating circumstances;
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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; 2017, c. 13, s. 4.

[X] In particular to this offence, the offence-specific factors found in s. XXX should be considered as well.

A. Gravity of Conduct

[consider the relationship of trust, the degree of physical or psychological harm]

A. Sophistication of the Offence

[X] The offence(s) in this case were [planned and continuous/spontaneous and impulsive]. ...

B. Vulnerability of Victim

C. Responsibility and Moral Culpability of the Offender

D. Guilty Plea and Acceptance of Responsibility

E. Prior Criminal Record and Repeat Offenders

F. Prospects of Rehabilitation