Processus d'essai

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Introduction

Purpose of a trial

A trial is a process by which a judge attempts to ascertain the truth in order to convict the guilty and acquit the innocent. The process does not go so far as to determine "actual innocence" as the standard of proof a trial is proof beyond reasonable doubt and does not evaluate degrees of acquittal and is not the ultimate purpose of criminal law.

The trial fundamentally is "about the search for the truth as well as fairness to the accused." This is guided by these principles:

1. the presumption of innocence
2. the right against self-incrimination
3. the ultimate burden on the crown to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The trial process is the primary means of resolving disputes in a "just, peaceful, and orderly way."

Trial is Not Scientific

The trier-of-fact is not engaging "in a scientific investigation." It is irrelevant to the trial process that there may exist relevant evidence that has not been put before the court. Judges are not to go looking for evidence "like detectives."

A trial is Not to Vindicate the Complainant

The purpose of a trial is not to vindicate the complainant. It is to determine whether a criminal offence has been committed.

A failure to convict does not mean that the complainant is not believed or believable. It is also not equivalent to a finding that the allegations did not happen.

Ordering of Trial

Fair Trial

"Trial fairness" does not equate the right to a "perfect" trial.

Trial fairness is not exclusively a consideration for the benefit of the accused. A "fair trial" is not one that appears fair solely from the perspective of the accused. It should be considered "from the perspective of the community". It must satisfy the "public interest in getting at the truth" while preserving the "basic procedural fairness for the accused."

Right to a Fair Trial

Section 11(d) of the Charter guarantees:

Affaires criminelles et pénales

11 Tout inculpé a le droit :...

d) d’être présumé innocent tant qu’il n’est pas déclaré coupable, conformément à la loi, par un tribunal indépendant et impartial à l’issue d’un procès public et équitable;

– CCRF

The right to a fair trial and the principles of fundamental justice "do not guarantee defence counsel the right to precisely the same privileges and procedures as the Crown and the police."

Venue of Trial

As a general rule, an accused "should be tried in the community of territory where the alleged offence was committed." And should only change where an application for a change of venue under s. 599 has been made.

There is no unfettered discretion to try a matter anywhere within the province. Otherwise, the law could become an "engine of oppression and injustice."

Crown's Case

The Crown will always be the first party to call evidence. It is expected that the crown will call all available witnesses that it intends to rely upon to establish the elements of the offences charged beyond a reasonable doubt.

The crown is expected to go first in order to prevent "unfair surprise, prejudice, and confusion but could result if the crown were allowed to split its case."

The Crown is expected to call, as part of its case, evidence that may rebut any alibi evidence and evidence of similar facts.

The accused is entitled to know to full case against the accused once the Crown closes its case.

Defence's Case

At the end of the Crown's case the defence will be permitted to either make a motion for directed verdict, elect to call evidence, or elect not to call evidence.

If the accused elects to call evidence, an opening statement may be given to introduce the trier-of-fact to the defence's case.

The defence has discretion on the order of the calling of witnesses.

If the accused does not call evidence, there will be no need for an opening statement. The case will proceed to closing statements beginning with the Crown's submissions.

Multiple Co-Accused

The order in which the accused are to be asked for their election on whether to call evidence after the closing of the Crown's case will depend on the tradition for the particular jurisdiction. However, most frequently the accused will be addressed in the order in which they appear in the information.

An accused can apply to the trial judge to have the convention changed. The Judge’s trial management powers entitle the judge to change the ordering subject to consideration of the risks inherent with the proposed changes.

Adjournment of Trial

Under s. 645 a trial must be continuous unless the court adjourns the matter. There is no requirement of a formal adjournment process to create breaks in the proceeding.

Court Calling Witnesses

The Court has a residual discretionary power to call witnesses to testify where it is necessary for the discovery of truth or in the interests of justice. This power should only be exercised "rarely" and "with caution" in order to avoid interference in the adversarial process or prejudice the accused. It should not be used after the close of the defence's case unless due to an unforeseen matter.

Rebuttal, Reply and Re-Opening a Case

• Rebuttal, Reply and Re-Opening a Case

Variation on Rules Depending on Venue

The Code is divided into Parts that outline different rules and procedures depending on the level of court and the type of criminal charge.

This can be divided into the following Parts:

• Part XVIII (18): Procedure on Preliminary Inquiry, s. 535 to 551
• Part XIX (19): Indictable Offences-Trial Without a Jury, s. 552 to 572
• Part XX (20) Procedure in Jury Trials and General Provisions, s. 574 to 672
• Part XXVII (27): Summary Convictions, s. 785 to 840

Summary Conviction Trials

Part states under s. 786 that the provisions applies to all proceedings captured in Part XXVII:

Application de la présente partie

786 (1) Sauf disposition contraire de la loi, la présente partie s’applique aux procédures définies dans cette partie.

[omis (2)]
L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 786; 1997, ch. 18, art. 110; 2019, ch. 25, art. 315.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Definitions

785 In this Part [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)],
...
"proceedings" means

(a) proceedings in respect of offences that are declared by an Act of Parliament or an enactment made thereunder to be punishable on summary conviction, and

(b) proceedings where a justice is authorized by an Act of Parliament or an enactment made thereunder to make an order; (procédures)

...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 785; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), ss. 170, 203; 1992, c. 1, s. 58; 1995, c. 22, s. 7, c. 39, s. 156; 1996, c. 19, s. 76; 1999, c. 25, s. 23(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 78; 2006, c. 14, s. 7; 2013, c. 11, s. 4; 2018, c. 16, s. 223, c. 21, s. 26; 2019, c. 25, s. 314
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Section 800 requires that when both the accused and prosecutor appear for a summary conviction trial the judge must hold the trial.

Finding of Guilt

801
[omis (1)]

Finding of guilt, conviction or order if charge admitted

(2) Where the defendant pleads guilty or does not show sufficient cause why an order should not be made against him, as the case may be, the summary conviction court shall convict the defendant, discharge the defendant under section 730 or make an order against the defendant accordingly.
[omis (3)]
(4) and (5) [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 177] R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 801; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 177, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); 1995, c. 22, s. 10.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Proceeding with Summary Trial

801
[omis (1) and (2)]

Procedure if charge not admitted

(3) Where the defendant pleads not guilty or states that he has cause to show why an order should not be made against him, as the case may be, the summary conviction court shall proceed with the trial, and shall take the evidence of witnesses for the prosecutor and the defendant in accordance with the provisions of Part XVIII [Pt. XVIII – Procédure à l’enquête préliminaire (art. 535 à 551)] relating to preliminary inquiries.
(4) and (5) [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 177]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 801; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 177, c. 1 (4th Supp.), s. 18(F); {1995, c. 22, s. 10.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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785 In this Part [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)]
...
"trial" includes the hearing of a complaint. (procès ou instruction)
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 785; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), ss. 170, 203; 1992, c. 1, s. 58; 1995, c. 22, s. 7, c. 39, s. 156; 1996, c. 19, s. 76; 1999, c. 25, s. 23(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 78; 2006, c. 14, s. 7; 2013, c. 11, s. 4; 2018, c. 16, s. 223, c. 21, s. 26; 2019, c. 25, s. 314.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Compelling Appearances of Accused

On summary conviction offences, the procedure for compelling attendance is the same as found in Parts XVI and XVIII:

Application of Parts XVI, XVIII, XVIII.1, XX, XX.1 and XXII.01

795 The provisions of Parts 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)] and XVIII [Pt. XVIII – Procédure à l’enquête préliminaire (art. 535 à 551)] with respect to compelling the appearance of an accused before a justice, the provisions of Parts XVIII.1 [Pt. XVIII.1 – Juge responsable de la gestion de l’instance (art. 551.1 à 551.7)], XX [Pt. XX – Procédure lors d’un procès devant jury et dispositions générales (art. 574 à 672)] and XX.1 [Pt. XX.1 – Troubles mentaux (art. 672.1 à 672.95)], insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Part [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)], and the provisions of Part XXII.01 [Pt. XXII.01 – Présence à distance de certaines personnes (art. 715.21 à 715.26)], apply, with any necessary modifications, to proceedings under this Part [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)].

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 795; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 176; 1991, c. 43, s. 7; 2011, c. 16, s. 16; 2022, c. 17, s. 52.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Misc Definitions

Definitions

785 In this Part [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)],
"clerk of the appeal court" includes a local clerk of the appeal court; (greffier de la cour d’appel)
"informant" means a person who lays an information; (dénonciateur)
...
"order" means any order, including an order for the payment of money; (ordonnance)
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 785; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), ss. 170, 203; 1992, c. 1, s. 58; 1995, c. 22, s. 7, c. 39, s. 156; 1996, c. 19, s. 76; 1999, c. 25, s. 23(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 78; 2006, c. 14, s. 7; 2013, c. 11, s. 4; 2018, c. 16, s. 223, c. 21, s. 26; 2019, c. 25, s. 314.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Proceeding to Trial Ex Parte

• Ex Parte Trial Proceedings

Court Record

The provincial court, superior court and court of appeal are all "courts of record". The records of a "court of record" is presumed to be accurate without the need for an inquiry. Consequently, recordings of the clerk of the court are presumed accurate.

Superior Courts

Superior Court Judge-Alone Proceedings Are a Court of Record

Court of record

559 (1) A judge who holds a trial under this Part [Part XIX Indictable Offences — Trial Without Jury] shall, for all purposes thereof and proceedings connected therewith or relating thereto, be a court of record.

Custody of records

(2) The record of a trial that a judge holds under this Part shall be kept in the court over which the judge presides.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 489.

[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Provincial Court

A provincial court must receive evidence in the same manner described in for a preliminary inquiry judge:

Taking evidence

557 If an accused is tried by a provincial court judge or a judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice in accordance with this Part [Pt. XIX – Actes criminels – procès sans jury (art. 552 à 572)], the evidence of witnesses for the prosecutor and the accused must be taken in accordance with the provisions of Part XVIII [Pt. XVIII – Procédure à l’enquête préliminaire (art. 535 à 551)], other than subsections 540(7) to (9) , relating to preliminary inquiries.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 557; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 203; 1999, c. 3, s. 41; 2002, c. 13, s. 35.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Case Digests

• Trial Process (Cases)