Seizure of Property
| This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2020. (Rev. # 95577) |
Introduction
Property can be seized and then detain by police under the Code in several ways.
Detention can occur as:
- Restraint of Terrorism-related Property (83.08)
- Proceeds of Crime (462.33)
- Restraint of Offence-related Property (490.8)
- Subject of Search Warrant or Evidence of a Crime (490)
- Firearms (117.02, 117.03, 117.04, 117.05)
For any warrantless seizure of property, the burden is upon the Crown to prove that it did not violate s. 8 of the Charter. To put the burden on the accused "ignores the reality that the Crown is in the best position to know how and why the seizure took place"[1]
Where the police do not seize property and merely make observations, they may still give evidence regarding the items and are not violating the "best evidence rule."[2]
- ↑ R v Hass, 2005 CanLII 26440 (ON CA), 200 CCC (3d) 81, per Goudge JA, at para 37
- ↑
R v Pham, 1999 BCCA 571 (CanLII), 139 CCC (3d) 539, per Braidwood JA
Topics
General Seizure Powers
Detention, Access, Disposal of Things Seized Under Section 489 or 487.11
- Detention Order for Things Seized Under Section 489 or 487.11
- Access to Things Detained Under Section 490
- Disposal of Things Detained Under Section 490
Other Seizure and Detention Powers
- Seizure and Detention of Property under CDSA
- Restraint of Terrorism-related Property
- Restraint of Offence-related Property
- Seizure of Firearms
- Seizure of Proceeds of Crime
- Seizure of Photographs and Fingerprints
- Seizure and Forfeiture of Obscene or Child Pornographic Materials
- Special Issues for Seizure of Property