Déclarations des victimes

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Principes généraux

L’article 722 traite des déclarations des victimes :

Déclaration de la victime

722 (1) Pour déterminer la peine à infliger ou pour décider si un délinquant devrait être absous en vertu de l’article 730 [ordonnance de libération], le tribunal prend en considération la déclaration de la victime, rédigée en conformité avec le présent article et déposée auprès du tribunal, décrivant les dommages  —  matériels, corporels ou moraux  —  ou les pertes économiques qui ont été causés à la victime par suite de la perpétration de l’infraction ainsi que les répercussions que l’infraction a eues sur elle.

Obligation de s’enquérir

(2) Dans les meilleurs délais suivant la déclaration de culpabilité et, en tout état de cause, avant la détermination de la peine, le tribunal est tenu de s’enquérir auprès du poursuivant si des mesures raisonnables ont été prises pour permettre à la victime de rédiger la déclaration visée au paragraphe (1) [déclaration de la victime].

Ajournement

(3) Le tribunal peut, de sa propre initiative ou à la demande de la victime ou du poursuivant, ajourner les procédures pour permettre à celle-ci de rédiger sa déclaration ou de présenter tout élément de preuve en conformité avec le paragraphe (9), s’il est convaincu que cela ne nuira pas à la bonne administration de la justice.

[omis (4), (5), (6) and (7)]

Prise en considération de la déclaration

(8) Lorsqu’il prend en considération la déclaration, le tribunal tient compte de toute partie qu’il estime pertinente pour la détermination ou la décision prévue au paragraphe (1) [déclaration de la victime] et fait abstraction de toute autre partie.

Appréciation du tribunal

(9) Qu’il y ait ou non rédaction et dépôt d’une déclaration en conformité avec le présent article, le tribunal peut prendre en considération tout élément de preuve qui concerne la victime afin de déterminer la peine à infliger au délinquant ou de décider si celui-ci devrait être absous en vertu de l’article 730 [ordonnance de libération].

L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 7221995, ch. 22, art. 61999, ch. 25, art. 17(préambule)2000, ch. 12, art. 952015, ch. 13, art. 25

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Copie de la déclaration de la victime

722.1 Dans les meilleurs délais possible suivant la déclaration de culpabilité, le greffier fait parvenir au poursuivant et au délinquant ou à son avocat, une copie de la déclaration visée au paragraphe 722(1) [déclaration de la victime].

1995, ch. 22, art. 6; 1999, ch. 25, art. 18(préambule).
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Le but d'une déclaration de la victime (VIS) est « d'évaluer l'effet général du crime » sur la victime.

De plus, il informe le juge qui détermine la peine du point de vue de la victime qui doit être pris en compte compte tenu de la gravité de l'infraction.

Sous s. 722(2), la Cour doit tenir compte des déclarations des victimes qui lui sont soumises. Après un verdict de culpabilité, le tribunal est requis en vertu de l's. 722.2(1), pour savoir si la victime a été informée de la possibilité de préparer une déclaration de la victime.

Les dispositions exigeant que les déclarations de culpabilité soient retenues jusqu'à ce qu'un verdict de culpabilité soit établi sont constitutionnelles.

Voir s. 672.541, pour plus de détails sur l'utilisation des déclarations de la victime devant une commission d'examen.

Persons Who can File a VIS

It has been recommended that VIS not be permitted in by persons who are "unidentified in their connection to the [victim] or too remote in connection."

Within the meaning of s. 722, "a person to whom harm was done" include the recipient of harm but also persons "directly affected by the commission of the offence."

Form and Presentation of Statement

Section 722:

722
[omis (1), (2) and (3)]

Form

(4) The statement must be prepared in writing, using Form 34.2 [formes] in Part XXVIII [Pt. XXVII – Déclarations de culpabilité par procédure sommaire (art. 785 à 840)], in accordance with the procedures established by a program designated for that purpose by the lieutenant governor in council of the province in which the court is exercising its jurisdiction.

Presentation of statement

(5) The court shall, on the request of a victim, permit the victim to present the statement by

(a) reading it;

(b) reading it in the presence and close proximity of any support person of the victim’s choice;

(c) reading it outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the victim not to see the offender; or

(d) presenting it in any other manner that the court considers appropriate.

Photograph

(6) During the presentation

(a) the victim may have with them a photograph of themselves taken before the commission of the offence if it would not, in the opinion of the court, disrupt the proceedings; or

(b) if the statement is presented by someone acting on the victim’s behalf, that individual may have with them a photograph of the victim taken before the commission of the offence if it would not, in the opinion of the court, disrupt the proceedings.

Conditions of exclusion

(7) The victim shall not present the statement outside the court room unless arrangements are made for the offender and the judge or justice to watch the presentation by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the offender is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the presentation.
[omis (8) and (9)]
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 722; 1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1999, c. 25, s. 17(Preamble); 2000, c. 12, s. 95; 2015, c. 13, s. 25.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Copy of statement

722.1 The clerk of the court shall provide a copy of a statement referred to in subsection 722(1) [déclaration de la victime], as soon as practicable after a finding of guilt, to the offender or counsel for the offender, and to the prosecutor.
1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1999, c. 25, s. 18(Preamble).
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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It has been suggested that in order for a VIS to be admissible it should contain the following:

• the statement is to be prepared in writing,
• the statement is to be in the form and in accordance with procedures established by a program designated for that purpose by the province,
• the statement is to be authored by a person meeting the definition of "victim" (s. 722(4) of the Code),
• the statement is to describe the harm done to, or loss suffered by, the victim arising from the commission of the offence,
• the statement is to be filed with the Court,
• the clerk of the Court is to provide a copy of the statement to the prosecution and the defence (s. 722.1 of the Code)

It is important that when considering the VIS that the court maintain its “independent neutrality" by not "react[ing] to public opinion as to the severity of sentences."

Admissible Content

Impact statements should describe "the harm done to, or loss suffered by, the victim arising from the commission of the offence". (s. 722(1))

Inappropriate Content for a VIS

The Statement should describe the harm arising out of the offence. It is not an opportunity for the victim to criticize the offender, including his character, assert facts or recommend a sentence. Such comments are inadmissible. Nor should there be any reference to offences not charged.

There are limited cases where sentence recommendation may be admissible, such as during a sentencing circle.

It has been suggested the follow sort of statements not be permitted:

1. statements by persons with unidentified connections to the victim or to remote a connection
2. references to facts that are not accurate
3. statements speaking of the offender including character
4. suggesting penalties
5. seeks personal revenge
6. promoting an "eye for an eye"
7. statements that are inflammatory and jeopardize the desired restraint in sentencing
8. makes diagnoses of the offender
9. mischaracterizations of the offence or the law

Consequences of New Evidence in VIS

Where there is new evidence revealed in the VIS that may have affected the outcome of trial, the defence may apply to re-open the case.

Offence Specific Impact Statement

Community impact statement

722.2 (1) When determining the sentence to be imposed on an offender or determining whether the offender should be discharged under section 730 [ordonnance de libération] in respect of any offence, the court shall consider any statement made by an individual on a community’s behalf that was prepared in accordance with this section and filed with the court describing the harm or loss suffered by the community as the result of the commission of the offence and the impact of the offence on the community.

Form

(2) The statement must be prepared in writing, using Form 34.3 [formes] in Part XXVIII [Pt. XXVIII – Dispositions diverses (art. 841 à 849)], in accordance with the procedures established by a program designated for that purpose by the lieutenant governor in council of the province in which the court is exercising its jurisdiction.

Presentation of statement

(3) The court shall, on the request of the individual making the statement, permit the individual to present the statement by

(a) reading it;

(b) reading it in the presence and close proximity of any support person of the individual’s choice;

(c) reading it outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the individual not to see the offender; or

(d) presenting it in any other manner that the court considers appropriate.

Conditions of exclusion

(4) The individual making the statement shall not present it outside the court room unless arrangements are made for the offender and the judge or justice to watch the presentation by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the offender is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the presentation.

Copy of statement

(5) The clerk of the court shall, as soon as feasible after a finding of guilt, provide a copy of the statement to the offender or counsel for the offender, and to the prosecutor.
1999, c. 25, s. 18(Preamble); 2015, c. 13, s. 26.
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Community

The LGBTI community can be a "community" within the meaning of s. 722.2.

Form of Statement

A commemorative youtube video can be an acceptable form of community impact statement so long as any "impermissible commentary" can be disregarded.

Voir également

• Rôle de la victime et des tiers
• Pre-Sentence Reports