Restitution des objets saisis aux propriétaires légitimes

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Libération et restitution des biens

Un juge de la Cour supérieure a la compétence inhérente en vertu du par. 24(1) pour ordonner la restitution des biens saisis par la police lorsque les articles ne sont pas nécessaires au procès et que la police n'a pas besoin de les conserver.

Restitution des biens après annulation d'un mandat de perquisition

Un tribunal peut ordonner la restitution des articles saisis après l'annulation d'un mandat de perquisition. Ce pouvoir découle de l'autorité accessoire du tribunal en vertu du par. 24(1) de la « Charte ». La Couronne peut empêcher la restitution des objets saisis en établissant que les biens seront toujours nécessaires à une poursuite.

Restitution des objets saisis en vertu de l'article 490

Le possesseur initial des objets peut demander en vertu du paragraphe 490(7) que les objets lui soient restitués. Le paragraphe 490(7) stipule :

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7)]

Application for order of return

(7) A person from whom anything has been seized may, after the expiration of the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) and on three clear days notice to the Attorney General, apply summarily to

(a) a judge of a superior court of criminal jurisdiction or a judge as defined in section 552 [definitions - judges], where a judge ordered the detention of the thing seized under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or

(b) a justice, in any other case,

for an order under paragraph (9)(c) [disposition des choses saisies – restitution au propriétaire légitime] that the thing seized be returned to the applicant.

Exception

(8) A judge of a superior court of criminal jurisdiction or a judge as defined in section 552 [definitions - judges], where a judge ordered the detention of the thing seized under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or a justice, in any other case, may allow an application to be made under subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration] prior to the expiration of the periods referred to therein where he is satisfied that hardship will result unless the application is so allowed.
[omis (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 490; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 73; 1994, c. 44, s. 38; 1997, c. 18, s. 50; 2008, c. 18, s. 14.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Seule la cour provinciale a compétence pour entendre les demandes présentées en vertu de l'art. 490.

Tiers parties

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (3.1), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (9.1)]

Application for order of return

(10) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, a person, other than a person who may make an application under subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration], who claims to be the lawful owner or person lawfully entitled to possession of anything seized and brought before or reported to a justice under section 489.1 [restitution de biens ou rapport par un agent de la paix] may, at any time, on three clear days’ notice to the Attorney General and the person from whom the thing was seized, apply summarily to:

(a) a judge as defined in subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration] when a judge ordered the detention of the thing seized under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or

(b) a justice, in any other case, ordered that the thing seized be returned to the applicant.

[omis (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 490; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 73; 1994, c. 44, s. 38; 1997, c. 18, s. 50; 2008, c. 18, s. 14.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Pour un examen de l'art. 490, voir R c Raponi, 2004 CSC 50 (CanLII), [2004] 3 RCS 35, par juge en chef McLachlin.

Restitution des biens saisis en vertu d'un mandat qui n'est pas nécessaire

Restitution of thing or report

489.1 (1) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, if a peace officer has seized anything under a warrant issued under this Act, under section 487.11 or 489, or otherwise in the execution of duties under this or any other Act of Parliament, the peace officer shall, as soon as is practicable,

(a) return the thing seized, on being issued a receipt for it, to the person lawfully entitled to its possession and report to a justice having jurisdiction in respect of the matter and, in the case of a warrant, jurisdiction in the province in which the warrant was issued, if the peace officer is satisfied that

(i) there is no dispute as to who is lawfully entitled to possession of the thing seized, and

(ii) the continued detention of the thing seized is not required for the purposes of any investigation or a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding; or

(b) bring the thing seized before a justice referred to in paragraph (a), or report to the justice that the thing has been seized and is being detained, to be dealt with in accordance with subsection 490(1), if the peace officer is not satisfied as described in subparagraphs (a)(i) and (ii).

Person other than peace officer

(2) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, if a person other than a peace officer has seized anything under a warrant issued under this Act, under section 487.11 or 489, or otherwise in the execution of duties under this or any other Act of Parliament, that person shall, as soon as is practicable and so that the thing seized may be dealt with in accordance with subsection 490(1),

(a) bring the thing before a justice having jurisdiction in respect of the matter and, in the case of a warrant, jurisdiction in the province in which the warrant was issued; or

(b) report to the justice referred to in paragraph (a) that the thing has been seized and is being detained.

[omis (3)]

R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 72; 1993, c. 40, s. 17; 1997, c. 18, s. 49; 2022, c. 17, s. 26.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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La référence à « autre procédure » ​​comprend une audience de confiscation à la suite d'un procès.

Restitution des biens à la fin des procédures

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (3.1), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8)]

Disposal of things seized

(9) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, if

(a) a judge referred to in subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration], where a judge ordered the detention of anything seized under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or

(b) a justice, in any other case,

is satisfied that the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) in respect of anything seized have expired and proceedings have not been instituted in which the thing detained may be required or, where those periods have not expired, that the continued detention of the thing seized will not be required for any purpose mentioned in subsection (1) [détention des objets saisis] or (4) [lorsque l'accusé est renvoyé à son procès], he shall

(c) if possession of it by the person from whom it was seized is lawful, order it to be returned to that person, or

(d) if possession of it by the person from whom it was seized is unlawful and the lawful owner or person who is lawfully entitled to its possession is known, order it to be returned to the lawful owner or to the person who is lawfully entitled to its possession,

and may, if possession of it by the person from whom it was seized is unlawful, or if it was seized when it was not in the possession of any person, and the lawful owner or person who is lawfully entitled to its possession is not known, order it to be forfeited to Her Majesty, to be disposed of as the Attorney General directs, or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law.

Exception

(9.1) Notwithstanding subsection (9) [disposition des objets saisis], a judge or justice referred to in paragraph (9)(a) [disposition des choses saisies – juge] or (b) [disposition des choses saisies – justice] may, if the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) in respect of a thing seized have expired but proceedings have not been instituted in which the thing may be required, order that the thing continue to be detained for such period as the judge or justice considers necessary if the judge or justice is satisfied

(a) that the continued detention of the thing might reasonably be required for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1) [détention des objets saisis] or (4) [lorsque l'accusé est renvoyé à son procès]; and

(b) that it is in the interests of justice to do so.

[omis (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 490; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 73; 1994, c. 44, s. 38; 1997, c. 18, s. 50; 2008, c. 18, s. 14.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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L'article 490(9) permet la restitution des biens lorsque (1) « le délai de détention est expiré et aucune procédure n'a été engagée » ou lorsque (2) « le délai n'est pas expiré mais l'objet n'est pas nécessaire à une enquête ou à une procédure »

L'article (9.1) est connu sous le nom de « règle de l'expiration » qui permet de demander une nouvelle détention lorsque la précédente l'ordonnance de détention a expiré et aucune accusation n'a été portée.

Si toutefois la période de détention n'a pas expiré, il faut alors tenir compte de l'article 490(5) :

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (3.1) and (4)]

Where continued detention no longer required

(5) Where at any time before the expiration of the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) in respect of anything seized, the prosecutor, or the peace officer or other person having custody of the thing seized, determines that the continued detention of the thing seized is no longer required for any purpose mentioned in subsection (1) [détention des objets saisis] or (4) [lorsque l'accusé est renvoyé à son procès], the prosecutor, peace officer or other person shall apply to

(a) a judge of a superior court of criminal jurisdiction or a judge as defined in section 552 [definitions - judges], where a judge ordered its detention under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or

(b) a justice, in any other case,

who shall, after affording the person from whom the thing was seized or the person who claims to be the lawful owner thereof or person entitled to its possession, if known, an opportunity to establish that he is lawfully entitled to the possession thereof, make an order in respect of the property under subsection (9) [disposition des objets saisis].

Idem

(6) Where the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) in respect of anything seized have expired and proceedings have not been instituted in which the thing detained may be required, the prosecutor, peace officer or other person shall apply to a judge or justice referred to in paragraph (5)(a) [lorsque la détention continue n'est plus nécessaire – cour supérieure] or (b) [lorsque la détention continue n'est plus nécessaire – cour provinciale] in the circumstances set out in that paragraph, for an order in respect of the property under subsection (9) [disposition des objets saisis] or (9.1) [ordonnance de maintien en détention – la détention initiale a expiré et les procédures n'ont pas commencé].

[omis (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 490; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 73; 1994, c. 44, s. 38; 1997, c. 18, s. 50; 2008, c. 18, s. 14.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Cette section ne s'applique que lorsque la période de détention n'est pas expirée et que le bien n'est plus nécessaire.

Détention prolongée

La cour provinciale a compétence en vertu du par. 490(9.1) seulement lorsque la date de la saisie remonte à moins d'un an et lorsque l'ordonnance de détention antérieure n'a pas été rendue par une cour supérieure. Autrement, seule une cour supérieure aura compétence pour rendre une ordonnance. Cela s'applique également aux ordonnances en vertu du par. 490(6).

Un juge de la cour supérieure peut prolonger la détention pour une durée indéterminée. Une cour provinciale ne peut rendre aucune ordonnance autorisant la détention au-delà d'un an à compter de la date de la saisie.

Restitution des documents saisis en vertu de l'article 490

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (3.1), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (9.1), (10), (11) et (12)]

Copie des documents remis

(13) Le procureur général, le poursuivant, l’agent de la paix ou la personne qui en a la garde peut, avant d’apporter le document saisi devant un juge de paix ou de se conformer à une ordonnance prise en vertu des paragraphes (1), (9) ou (11), le copier ou le faire copier.

Force probante

(14) Une copie faite en vertu du paragraphe (13) et certifiée conforme par le procureur général, la personne qui l’a faite ou celle en la présence de qui elle a été faite est admissible en preuve et, en l’absence de preuve contraire, a la même force probante qu’aurait l’original s’il avait été prouvé de la façon ordinaire. [omis (15), (16), (17) et (18)]
L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 490L.R. (1985), ch. 27 (1er suppl.), art. 731994, ch. 44, art. 381997, ch. 18, art. 502008, ch. 18, art. 142017, ch. 7, art. 63(F).
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Demande du propriétaire légitime

490
[omis (1), (2), (3), (3.1), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (9.1)]

Application by lawful owner

(10) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, a person, other than a person who may make an application under subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration], who claims to be the lawful owner or person lawfully entitled to possession of anything seized and brought before or reported to a justice under section 489.1 may, at any time, on three clear days notice to the Attorney General and the person from whom the thing was seized, apply summarily to

(a) a judge referred to in subsection (7) [demande de restitution des biens au propriétaire après expiration], where a judge ordered the detention of the thing seized under subsection (3) [détention supplémentaire – dépassant 12 mois], or

(b) a justice, in any other case,

for an order that the thing detained be returned to the applicant.

Order

(11) Subject to this or any other Act of Parliament, on an application under subsection (10) [demande du propriétaire légitime], where a judge or justice is satisfied that

(a) the applicant is the lawful owner or lawfully entitled to possession of the thing seized, and

(b) the periods of detention provided for or ordered under subsections (1) to (3) in respect of the thing seized have expired and proceedings have not been instituted in which the thing detained may be required or, where such periods have not expired, that the continued detention of the thing seized will not be required for any purpose mentioned in subsection (1) [détention des objets saisis] or (4) [lorsque l'accusé est renvoyé à son procès],

the judge or justice shall order that

(c) the thing seized be returned to the applicant, or

(d) except as otherwise provided by law, where, pursuant to subsection (9) [disposition des objets saisis], the thing seized was forfeited, sold or otherwise dealt with in such a manner that it cannot be returned to the applicant, the applicant be paid the proceeds of sale or the value of the thing seized.

[omis (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 490; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 73; 1994, c. 44, s. 38; 1997, c. 18, s. 50; 2008, c. 18, s. 14.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Voir aussi

• Accès aux objets détenus en vertu de l'article 490
• Accès aux pièces déposées au tribunal
• Ordonnances de confiscation