Infractions de violence et de voies de fait (détermination de la peine)
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Principes généraux
A key societal right for all people is the right to be "free from unconsented invasions on his or her physical security or dignity."[1] It is a "central purpose" of the criminal law to protect the public from such invasions.[2]
Provocation will have an effect on sentence for assault. Where the injury occurred while in an initially consensual fight the sentence will be less than where the attack was unprovoked and against a defenceless victim.[3]
In offences of violence involving a weapon, "the primary sentencing objectives to be applied are deterrence and protection of the public."[4]
Sports-related violence can frequently allow for discharges.[5]
- ↑ R c Ogg-Moss, 1984 CanLII 77 (SCC), [1984] 2 SCR 173, per Dickson J (5:0) ("One of the key rights in our society is the individual’s right to be free from unconsented invasions on his or her physical security or dignity and it is a central purpose of the criminal law to protect members of society from such invasions.")
- ↑ , ibid.
- ↑ R c Johnson, 1998 CanLII 4838 (BC CA), 131 CCC (3d) 274, par Prowse JA
- ↑ R c Philpott, 2011 NLTD 30 (CanLII), 958 APR 119, par LeBlanc J
- ↑ R c Carroll, 1995 CanLII 1123 (BC CA), (1995) 38 CR 238, par Donald JA
General Factors
Key Aggravating Factors
- History of spousal abuse / previously assaulted same victim
- Criminal record for violence or related convictions
- Spouse or common law spouse is victim = breach of trust
- Serious injuries to complainant
- Planned or pre-meditated
- Use of weapon
- Children witnessed the assault or were present when the assault occurred
- Offence occurred in the home
- Degradation of victim
- Separate acts occurring over a period of time
- No remorse
- Home invasion
- Intoxicated at time of offence
Other Factors
- degree of provocation
- circumstances that make it desirable to preserve the family relationship
- evidence that it was out of character or isolated event
Psychologists do make a distinction between "affective violence" and "predatory violence". Affective violence concerns "violence that is reactive and emotionally driven". Predatory violence concerns violence where the offender "sought both gratification and compliance."[1]
- ↑
R c States, 2017 ONSC 4023 (CanLII), au para 298 ("Both saw the initial assault of Mr. States as important. From their respective psychiatric and psychological perspectives, both saw the offence as involving affective violence: violence that is reactive and emotionally driven.")
R c Paxton, 2013 ABQB 750 (CanLII), per S.L. Martin J, au para 234
Group Violence
When sentencing for group violence, it is not permitted to argue that a particular individual’s contribution was less than others and so deserves a lower sentence. They are responsible for the group that they contributed to. [1]
- ↑ R c MacIntyre and Liron, 1992 ABCA 319 (CanLII), 18 WCB (2d) 123, per Fraser CJ at para 3 (“...when individuals act as part of a group or gang and perpetrate criminal acts, this gang-like feature of their activities does not permit each individual to offer his individual involvement alone ignoring, for sentencing purposes, the seriousness of their collective actions. When a person acts in concert with other members of a group or gang to victimize a single victim, that person must accept the consequences which flow from this group action. Each member of the group must be taken to know that by committing individual assaults upon a victim, he advances and even encourages the violence of the others.”)
Position of Trust
Position of Trust as a Factor in Sentencing
Peace Officers as Offender
Domestic Violence
Types of Victims
Child Victims
Offences of violence against children by their parents requires a strong response due to their inability to defend themselves and the fiduciary duty towards them.[1]
The most important factors to consider is the child's exposure to harm and the forseeability of the harm.[2]
Certain courts have divided offences involving the assault of children into three categories:[3]
- cases involving the application of force with the expectation of causing injury or indifference to it;
- cases involving the application of force where a parent was immature and unskilled and acting out of emotional upset, frustration or temper and did not fully appreciate the serious injuries which might result; and
- cases involving diminished responsibility through mental disorder where the abnormal mental condition of the accused requires the treatment of the offender to be given priority over the principles of general and individual deterrence.
- ↑ R c Laberge, 1995 ABCA 196 (CanLII), 27 WCB (2d) 176, per Fraser CJ, au para 28
- ↑ R c Nickel, 2012 ABCA 158 (CanLII), 545 WAC 366, per Watson JA (3:2), aux paras 34, 35
- ↑ R c MacDonald (K.), 2009 MBCA 36 (CanLII), 236 Man.R. (2d) 239, par Scott CJ, au para 14
Peace Officers as Victim
Police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the community and preserve a just, peaceful and safe society. "Violent attacks upon police officers who are doing their duty are attacks on the rule of law and on the safety and well-being of the community as a whole. Sentences imposed for those attacks must reflect the vulnerability of the police officers, society's dependence on the police, and society’s determination to avoid a policing mentality which invites easy resort to violence in the execution of the policing function."[1]
- ↑ R c MacArthur, [2004] O.J. No. 721 (ONCA)(*pas de liens CanLII) , au para 49
conducteur de véhicule de transport en commun
- Circonstance aggravante — voies de fait contre un conducteur de véhicule de transport en commun
269.01 (1) Le tribunal qui détermine la peine à infliger à l’égard d’une infraction prévue à l’alinéa 264.1(1)a) ou à l’un des articles 266 à 269 [forms of assault] est tenu de considérer comme circonstance aggravante le fait que la victime est le conducteur d’un véhicule de transport en commun qui exerçait cette fonction au moment de la perpétration de l’infraction.
- Définitions
(2) Les définitions qui suivent s’appliquent au présent article.
conducteur de véhicule de transport en commun Personne qui conduit un véhicule servant à la prestation au public de services de transport de passagers; y est assimilé le conducteur d’autobus scolaire. (public transit operator)
véhicule S’entend notamment d’un autobus, d’un véhicule de transport adapté, d’un taxi agréé, d’un train, d’un métro, d’un tramway et d’un traversier. (vehicle)
2015, ch. 1, art. 1.
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