View source for Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal Causing Bodily Harm or Death (Repealed Offence)

[[fr:Conduite avec facultés affaiblies, conduite avec un taux d'alcool supérieur à 80 % et refus de conduire entraînant des lésions corporelles ou la mort (infraction abrogée)]]
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}{{HeaderRepealedOffences}}
{{OffenceBox 
|OffenceTitle=Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal Causing Bodily Harm or Death 
|OffencePage=Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal Causing Bodily Harm or Death 
|Section=255 
|Act={{OBCCC}} 
|CrownElection={{OBIndictableElection}} 
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll}} 
|Bail={{OBBailJudge}}
|IndictableDisp= {{OBDispFineorJail}}  
|IndictableMin= 
$1,000 + 12 months Driving Prohib.(first) <br>
30 days jail + 2 to 5 years Driving Prohib. (second)<br>
120 days + 3 or more years Driving Prohib. (three or more)
<!--{{OBTime|XX}} -->|IndictableMax= {{OBTime|10 years}} (harm)<br> {{OBMaxLife}} (death)  }}

==Overview==
{{OverviewVIII|impaired driving, over 80 and refusal causing bodily harm or death}}

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 255 {{DescrSec|255}} | {{NA}} | Yes}}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsIndictElection|s. 255}}

; Release

{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 255 || {{ReleaseProfile-Indictable}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Indictable|s. 255}}

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 255}}

; Publication Bans
{{GeneralPubBan}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|-
|s. xxx || {{OKMark}} <!--wire--> || {{OKMark}} <!--DO-->||{{OKMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark}}
{{DesignationEnd}}
{{SPIODesignation|A|s. 255}}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation2|
255<br>
{{removed(1)}}
; Impaired driving causing bodily harm
(2) Everyone who commits an offence under paragraph 253(1)(a) and causes bodily harm to another person as a result is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.
<br>
; Blood alcohol level over legal limit — bodily harm
(2.1) Everyone who, while committing an offence under paragraph 253(1)(b), causes an accident resulting in bodily harm to another person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.
<br>
; Failure or refusal to provide sample — bodily harm
(2.2) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection 254(5) and, at the time of committing the offence, knows or ought to know that their operation of the motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment, their assistance in the operation of the aircraft or railway equipment or their care or control of the motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment caused an accident resulting in bodily harm to another person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.
<br>
; Impaired driving causing death
(3) Everyone who commits an offence under paragraph 253(1)(a) and causes the death of another person as a result is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
<br>
; Blood alcohol level over legal limit — death
(3.1) Everyone who, while committing an offence under paragraph 253(1)(b), causes an accident resulting in the death of another person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
<br>
; Failure or refusal to provide sample — death
(3.2) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection 254(5) and, at the time of committing the offence, knows or ought to know that their operation of the motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment, their assistance in the operation of the aircraft or railway equipment or their care or control of the motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment caused an accident resulting in the death of another person, or in bodily harm to another person whose death ensues, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
<br>
; Interpretation
(3.3) For greater certainty, everyone who is liable to the punishment described in any of subsections (2) to (3.2) is also liable to the minimum punishment described in paragraph (1)(a).<br>
{{removed|(4) and (5)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 255; R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 36; R.S., 1985, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 18; {{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 32}}, s. 3(Preamble); {{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 25}}, s. 2; {{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 21, c. 18, ss. 7, 45.2.
|{{CCCSec2|255}}
|{{NoteUp|255|2|2.1|2.2|3|3.1|3.2|3.3}}
}}

==Proof of Offences==
{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}
{{Proving|Impaired driving causing bodily harm|255(2)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 253(1)(a)
# {{box}} the offence caused bodily harm of another person

{{Proving|Blood alcohol level over legal limit — bodily harm|255(2.1)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 253(1)(b)
# {{box}} in committing the underlying offence, caused an accident
# {{box}} the accident involved bodily harm to another person

{{Proving|Failure or refusal to provide sample — bodily harm|255(2.2)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 254(5)
# {{box}} the culprit knew or ought to have known that the operation or care and control of vehicle caused accident resulting in bodily harm

{{Proving|Impaired driving causing death|255(3)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 253(1)(a)
# {{box}} causes the death of another person as a result 

{{Proving|Blood alcohol level over legal limit — death|255(3.1)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 253(1)(b)
# {{box}} causes an accident resulting in the death of another person 

{{Proving|Failure or refusal to provide sample — death|255(3.2)}}
# {{box}} underlying offence under s. 254(5)
# {{box}} the accused knew or ought to have known that the operation or care and control of vehicle caused accident resulting in death

{{ElementEnd}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==

==Available Defences==
* [[Necessity]]

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt 
{{VictimHeader}} <!-- Sections / Notice of Agree / Notice of Restitution / Notice of VIS --> 
|s. 255 {{DescrSec|255}} || || || 
|- 
{{VictimEnd}}


{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 255}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 255(2), (2.1), or (2.2) [bodily harm] | {{NA}} | {{Max10Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 255(3), (3.1), or (3.2) [death] | {{NA}} | {{MaxLife}} }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyIndictment|s. 255|'''{{Max10Years}}''' [bodily harm] or '''{{MaxLife}}''' [death] }}

; Minimum Penalties
The mandatory minimums remain the same for s. 255(1). The minimum penalty is $1,000 with no prior convictions, 30 days jail with a single prior conviction, and 120 days for each subsequent conviction.

{{quotation2|
255<br>
{{removed|(1), (2), (2.1), (2.2), (3), (3.1) and (3.2)}}
; Interpretation
(3.3) For greater certainty, everyone who is liable to the punishment described in any of subsections (2) to (3.2) is also liable to the minimum punishment described in paragraph (1)(a).
<br>
{{removed|(4) and (5)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 255; R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 36; R.S., 1985, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 18; {{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 32}}, s. 3(Preamble); {{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 25}}, s. 2; {{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 21, c. 18, ss. 7, 45.2.
|{{CCCSec2|255}}
|{{NoteUp|255|3.3}}
}}

; Available Dispositions
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 255 <br> With Bodily Harm || {{NA}} || {{SProfileNoDischargeSuspendedOrCSO}}
|-
|s. 255 <br> With Death || {{NA}} || {{SProfileNoDischargeSuspendedOrCSO}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{NoDischargeAvailable|s. 255}}

Section 731(1)(a) precludes the use of suspended sentences where there are mandatory minimums.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Berner|fx6j8|2013 BCCA 188 (CanLII)|297 CCC (3d) 69}}{{TheCourtBCCA}} (3:0){{atL|fx6j8|36}}<br>
</ref>

Where there is one or more prior convictions, there are no stand-alone fines, or conditional sentences.

; Consecutive Sentences
{{NoConsecutive}}

===Principles===


; Previous Convictions
{{quotation2|
; Punishment
255 <Br>
{{removed|(1), (2), (2.1), (2.2), (3), (3.1), (3.2) and (3.3)}}
; Previous convictions
(4) A person who is convicted of an offence committed under section 253 or subsection 254(5) is, for the purposes of this Act, deemed to be convicted for a second or subsequent offence, as the case may be, if they have previously been convicted of
:(a) an offence committed under either of those provisions;
:(b) an offence under subsection (2) or (3); or
:(c) an offence under section 250, 251, 252, 253, 259 or 260 or subsection 258(4) of this Act as this Act read immediately before the coming into force of this subsection.

*[Note: In force in the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Alberta and in the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories and the Nunavut Territory, see SI/85-211 and SI/88-24.]
<br>
{{removed|(5)}}
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 255; R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 36; R.S., 1985, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 18; {{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 32}}, s. 3(Preamble); {{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 25}}, s. 2; {{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 21, c. 18, ss. 7, 45.2.
|{{CCCSec2|255}}
|{{NoteUp|255|4}}
}}

===Ranges===
{{seealsoRanges|Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal Causing Bodily Harm or Death}}
====Bodily Harm====
In New Brunwsick, the range for impaired driving causing bodily harm it has been suggested the proper range is 3 to 18 months imprisonment.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Williams|232np|2009 NBPC 16 (CanLII)|892 APR 164}}{{perNBPC|Whalen J}}
</ref>

In Manitoba, the range for impaired driving bodily harm without a record previously had a range of between 3 to 18 months and has been increased to about 6 to 24 months.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Smoke|gdw3q|2014 MBCA 91 (CanLII)|310 Man R (2d) 123}}{{perMBCA|Beard JA}}{{atL|gdw3q|51}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Anderson|gs0qq|2016 MBPC 28 (CanLII)}}{{perMBPC|Martin J}}{{atL|gs0qq|23}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

====Death====
Caution should be taken to "rigidly" apply a range of sentence in cases involving impaired driving causing death.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Junkert|2c16d|2010 ONCA 549 (CanLII)|259 CCC (3d) 14}}{{perONCA|O'Connor ACJ}}{{atL|2c16d|40}} ("I begin by noting that courts should be cautious in rigidly applying "a range" of sentences in cases such as this, involving impaired driving causing death")
</ref>

In New Brunswick, the range of sentence on impaired driving causing death for a person with no record is between 2 to 5 years with a 3 to 10 year driving prohibition.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Ruizfuentes|2d0wf|2010 MBCA 90 (CanLII)|262 CCC (3d) 540}}{{perMBCA|Chartier JA}}</ref>,
9 months to 7 years jail (British Columbia).<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Johnson|1f02z|1996 CanLII 3148 (BCCA)|, 84 BCAC 261}}{{perBCCA|Ryan JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Casimir|4zfj|2001 BCCA 310 (CanLII)|11 MVR (4th) 38}}{{perBCCA|McEachern CJ}} stating its range is 3 to 6 years<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Smith|fx1v0|2013 BCCA 173 (CanLII)|296 CCC (3d) 386}}{{perBCCA|Bennett JA}} (3:0) sets range of 18 months to 8 years<br>
</ref>

In Ontario, sentences of 4 to 6 years have been upheld for causing death.<ref>
See {{supra1|Ramage}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Altiman|j12cs|2019 ONCA 511 (CanLII)|56 CR (7th) 83}}{{perONCA|Brown JA}}{{atsL|j12cs|70| to 71}} ("This review of the case law leads me to conclude that, since the turn of the decade, in this province sentences for impaired driving causing death typically have fallen in the four to six-year range, unless the offender has a prior criminal or driving offence record.")<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Niganobe|2bk21|2010 ONCA 508 (CanLII)|95 MVR (5th) 175}}{{TheCourtONCA}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Hall|1q83w|2007 ONCA 8 (CanLII)|83 OR (3d) 641}}{{perONCA|LaForme JA}}<br>
</ref> 
But have gone upwards of 9 years when multiple death are involved.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Wood|1k86z|2005 CanLII 13779 (ON CA)|196 CCC (3d) 155}}{{TheCourtONCA}} - 9 year sentence for killing three and injuring one. Offender BAC was twice legal limit. <br>
{{CanLIIRP|Mascarenhas|1cqpk|2002 CanLII 41625 (ON CA)|58 WCB (2d) 492}}{{perONCA|Abella JA}} - 9 year sentence for killing two pedestrians. Offender BAC was .339 and .353.<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Kummer|2fctv|2011 ONCA 39 (CanLII)|266 CCC (3d) 32}}{{perONCA|MacPherson JA}} (3:0) - 8 year sentence for killing three people and injuring one.<br>
</ref>

; Prior Related Record
In New Brunswick, where there is a prior record the range is between 4 to 8 years with an 8 years to life driving prohibition.<ref>
{{supra1|Ruizfuentes}}</ref>

In Ontario, where there is a prior record the range is between 7.5 to 12 years.<Ref>
{{supra1|Altiman}}{{atsL|j12cs|70| to 71}} (where there is a prior record "lengthier sentences have been imposed, ranging from seven and one-half to twelve years.")
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
{{AOrderHeader}}
|-
| [[DNA Orders]] ||s. 255(2), (2.1), (2.2), (3), (3.1), (3.2)||
* {{SecondDNA(AorB)|s. 255(2), (2.1), (2.2), (3), (3.1), (3.2)}}
|-
| [[Driving Prohibition Orders|Driving Prohibition]] || || Min. 1 year (1st time), 2 years (2nd time), 3 years (3rd time)
|-
| [[Delayed_Parole_Eligibility|Delayed Parole Order]] || ||
* {{ParoleDelayEligible|1|s. 255(2) and (3)}}
|-
| [[Forfeiture Orders|Forfeiture of Vehicle]] || ||
{{AOrderEnd}}

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==History==
{{seealso|List of Criminal Code Amendments|Table of Concordance (Criminal Code)}}
===2000 to 2008===
{{quotation1|
; Punishment
255 (1) Every one who commits an offence under section 253 or 254 is guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable,
:(a) whether the offence is prosecuted by indictment or punishable on summary conviction, to the following minimum punishment, namely,
::(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than six hundred dollars,
::(ii) for a second offence, to imprisonment for not less than fourteen days, and
::(iii) for each subsequent offence, to imprisonment for not less than ninety days;
:(b) where the offence is prosecuted by indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; and
:(c) where the offence is punishable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

; Impaired driving causing bodily harm
(2) Every one who commits an offence under paragraph 253(a) and thereby causes bodily harm to any other person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
<br>
; Impaired driving causing death
(3) Every one who commits an offence under paragraph 253(a) and thereby causes the death of any other person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
<br>
; Previous convictions
(4) Where a person is convicted of an offence committed under paragraph 253(a) or (b) or subsection 254(5), that person shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be convicted for a second or subsequent offence, as the case may be, if the person has previously been convicted of
:(a) an offence committed under any of those provisions;
:(b) an offence under subsection (2) or (3); or
:(c) an offence under section 250, 251, 252, 253, 259 or 260 or subsection 258(4) of this Act as this Act read immediately before the coming into force of this subsection.

; Conditional discharge
*(5) Notwithstanding subsection 730(1), a court may, instead of convicting a person of an offence committed under section 253, after hearing medical or other evidence, if it considers that the person is in need of curative treatment in relation to his consumption of alcohol or drugs and that it would not be contrary to the public interest, by order direct that the person be discharged under section 730 on the conditions prescribed in a probation order, including a condition respecting the person’s attendance for curative treatment in relation to that consumption of alcohol or drugs.
<br>
*[Note: In force in the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Alberta and in the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories, see SI/85-211 and SI/88-24.]
<br>
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 255; R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 36; R.S., 1985, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 22}}, s. 18; {{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 32}}, s. 3(Preamble); {{LegHistory00s|2000, c. 25}}, s. 2.

|[http://canlii.ca/t/hzbv#sec255 CCC]
|{{NoteUp|}}
}}

==See Also==
; Offences
* [[Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal (Offence)]]
; References
* [[Pre-Trial and Trial Motions Checklist]]

{{OffencesNavBar/MotorVehicles}}
{{OffencesNavBar/Homicide}}



[[Category:Offences with Mandatory Minimums]]