Absolutions

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Cette page a été mise à jour ou révisée de manière substantielle pour la dernière fois janvier 2020. (Rev. # 6592)

n.b.: Cette page est expérimentale. Si vous repérez une grammaire ou un texte anglais clairement incorrect, veuillez m'en informer à [email protected] et je le corrigerai dès que possible.

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Principes généraux

The granting of a discharge "is a discretionary order based on the weighing and assessing of many factors, including the principles of sentencing and the public interest." The order is only available for offences where the maximum penalty is less than 14 years.

The Criminal Codes describes the discharge as:

Absolutions inconditionnelles et sous conditions

730 (1) Le tribunal devant lequel comparaît l’accusé, autre qu’une organisation, qui plaide coupable ou est reconnu coupable d’une infraction pour laquelle la loi ne prescrit pas de peine minimale ou qui n’est pas punissable d’un emprisonnement de quatorze ans ou de l’emprisonnement à perpétuité peut, s’il considère qu’il y va de l’intérêt véritable de l’accusé sans nuire à l’intérêt public, au lieu de le condamner, prescrire par ordonnance qu’il soit absous inconditionnellement ou aux conditions prévues dans l’ordonnance rendue aux termes du paragraphe 731(2).

Période de validité de la citation à comparaître, etc.

(2) Sous réserve de la partie XVI, lorsque l’accusé qui n’a pas été mis sous garde ou qui a été mis en liberté en vertu de la partie XVI plaide coupable ou est reconnu coupable d’une infraction mais n’est pas condamné, la sommation, la citation à comparaître, la promesse ou l’ordonnance de mise en liberté le visant demeure en vigueur, sous réserve de ses dispositions, jusqu’à ce qu’une décision soit rendue à son égard en vertu du paragraphe (1), à moins que, au moment où il plaide coupable ou est reconnu coupable, le tribunal, le juge ou le juge de paix n’ordonne qu’il soit mis sous garde en attendant cette décision.

[omis (3)]

Déclaration de culpabilité d’une personne soumise à une ordonnance de probation

(4) Lorsque le délinquant soumis aux conditions d’une ordonnance de probation rendue à une époque où son absolution a été ordonnée en vertu du présent article est déclaré coupable d’une infraction, y compris une infraction visée à l’article 733.1, le tribunal qui a rendu l’ordonnance de probation peut, en plus ou au lieu d’exercer le pouvoir que lui confère le paragraphe 732.2(5), à tout moment où il peut prendre une mesure en vertu de ce paragraphe, annuler l’absolution, déclarer le délinquant coupable de l’infraction à laquelle se rapporte l’absolution et infliger toute peine qui aurait pu être infligée s’il avait été déclaré coupable au moment de son absolution; il ne peut être interjeté appel d’une déclaration de culpabilité prononcée en vertu du présent paragraphe lorsqu’il a été fait appel de l’ordonnance prescrivant que le délinquant soit absous.

L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 7301995, ch. 22, art. 61997, ch. 18, art. 1412003, ch. 21, art. 172019, ch. 25, art. 296

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Conditional and absolute discharge

730 (1) Where an accused, other than an organization, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of an offence, other than an offence for which a minimum punishment is prescribed by law or an offence punishable by imprisonment for fourteen years or for life, the court before which the accused appears may, if it considers it to be in the best interests of the accused and not contrary to the public interest, instead of convicting the accused, by order direct that the accused be discharged absolutely or on the conditions prescribed in a probation order made under subsection 731(2) [ordonnance de probation lorsque la libération est ordonnée].

Period for which appearance notice, etc., continues in force

(2) Subject to Part XVI [Pt. XVI – Mesures concernant la comparution d’un prévenu devant un juge de paix et la mise en liberté provisoire (art. 493 à 529.5)], if an accused who has not been taken into custody or who has been released from custody under any provision of that Part pleads guilty to or is found guilty of an offence but is not convicted, the appearance notice, summons, undertaking or release order issued to, given or entered into by the accused continues in force, subject to its terms, until a disposition in respect of the accused is made under subsection (1) [ordonnance de libération] unless, at the time the accused pleads guilty or is found guilty, the court, judge or justice orders that the accused be taken into custody pending such a disposition.
[omis (3)]

Where person bound by probation order convicted of offence

(4) Where an offender who is bound by the conditions of a probation order made at a time when the offender was directed to be discharged under this section is convicted of an offence, including an offence under section 733.1 [violation d'une ordonnance de probation], the court that made the probation order may, in addition to or in lieu of exercising its authority under subsection 732.2(5) [modifier ou annuler l'ordonnance de probation en cas de condamnation pour manquement], at any time when it may take action under that subsection, revoke the discharge, convict the offender of the offence to which the discharge relates and impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the offender had been convicted at the time of discharge, and no appeal lies from a conviction under this subsection where an appeal was taken from the order directing that the offender be discharged.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 730; 1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1997, c. 18, s. 141; 2003, c. 21, s. 17; 2019, c. 25, s. 296.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Purpose

The discharge was enacted in 1972 to give the courts the power to "relieve against both the fact and stigma of a criminal conviction."

The discharge can serve as both a "carrot" and "stick" to motivate rehabilitation.

Effect

Section 730 states:

730
[omis (1) and (2)]

Conséquence de l’absolution

(3) Le délinquant qui est absous en conformité avec le paragraphe (1) est réputé ne pas avoir été condamné à l’égard de l’infraction; toutefois, les règles suivantes s’appliquent :

a) le délinquant peut interjeter appel du verdict de culpabilité comme s’il s’agissait d’une condamnation à l’égard de l’infraction à laquelle se rapporte l’absolution;

b) le procureur général ou, dans le cas de poursuites sommaires, le dénonciateur ou son mandataire peut interjeter appel de la décision du tribunal de ne pas condamner le délinquant à l’égard de l’infraction à laquelle se rapporte l’absolution comme s’il s’agissait d’un jugement ou d’un verdict d’acquittement de l’infraction ou d’un rejet de l’accusation portée contre lui;

c) le délinquant peut plaider autrefois convict relativement à toute inculpation subséquente relative à l’infraction.

[omis (4)]
L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 730; 1995, ch. 22, art. 61; 997, ch. 18, art. 141; 2003, ch. 21, art. 172019, ch. 25, art. 296.

[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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The discharge is not a conviction but rather the offence is discharged absolutely or conditionally with probation. In cannot be paired with a fine or jail. The end result is that there is no criminal record. No record may be disclosed to any person by a federal agency, except for the purpose of verifying fingerprints, without the consent of the Solicitor General after 1 year for a absolute discharge or 3 years for a conditional discharge.

Absolute Discharge

Where an absolute discharge has been granted the record of the offence cannot be disclosed without the approval of the Minister of Public Safety.

Requirements

An offence punishable by less than 14 years and without minimum sentence, the offender may apply to the court for a "conditional discharge" if it is in the "best interests of the accused" and "not contrary to the public interest."

Best Interests of Offender

The best interests of the offender means that deterrence is not relevant nor is rehabilitation beyond what can be achieved by a probation order. Lastly, they should have such character that a conviction will have "significant repercussions."

It is wrong to assume it is always be in the best interest of the offender to have a discharge. This requirement has been interpreted as requiring that (1) specific deterrence is of "no concern" and (2) the accused is of good character.

Generally speaking the effect of the criminal record would be disproportionate to the offence, such as where the offender cannot pursue their chosen profession, education would be affected, etc. The reason for discharge cannot be mere speculation.

The first factor of a discharge presupposes that the offender is of good character and so is without a prior criminal record.

It is generally preferred or sometimes necessary that the court have evidence of the consequence of a criminal record to support a discharge application.

Not Contrary to Public Interest

A discharge does not have to be in the public interest, it simply must not be contrary to the public interest. Accordingly, it is not necessary that the accused prove that it is in the public interest.

The concern of this inquiry is whether the consequences of the conviction (either real or potential) upon the particular individual outweighs the value of the stigma.

The "public interest" includes "a consideration of the principle of general deterrence with attention being paid to the gravity of the offence, its incidence in the community, public attitudes towards it and public confidence in the effective enforcement of the criminal law."

The factors to determine the "public interest" and the weight "will vary depending on the circumstances of the offence and of the offender."

The second factor considers:

• the gravity of the offence;
• the frequency/prevalence of the offence in the community
• the public attitudes to the offence
• amount of planning of the offence
• value of property (if property-related offence)
• whether there was personal gain from the offence
• the effect on the public confidence in the law

It is not necessary that the offence be trivial to not be contrary to the public interest.

The more serious the offence the less likely a discharge will be appropriate.

Unusual circumstances of a particular offender may warrant a discharge where it would not otherwise be warranted.

It is an error of law to confuse "public interest" with "expressions of public concern."

Where applied

Cases for a variety of offences have been considered:

• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (s.88)
• break and enter
• possession of marijuana (4(1))
• theft under $5,000

Factors such as the accused's immigration status are valid considerations but are not determinative.

It is not prohibited to grant a discharge where a prior discharge has already been granted. Nor is it prohibited to grant a discharge where a prior record exists. Nevertheless the granting of a discharge in these cases is exceptional.

It should not be order solely because of adverse immigration consequences where it would otherwise be inappropriate.

Absolute vs Conditional

An absolute discharge order discharges the offence without any additional requirements of probation. It is usually granted in the cases of lesser seriousness of offences or where the personal circumstances are exceptional.

Offences of violence

Without a prior record, a Court will grant a discharge for common assault. However, it should only be given in extraordinary circumstances. Assault causing bodily harm can be available for discharges in only limited circumstances.

Curative Discharges

• See Curative Discharges