Preuve à l'audience de mise en liberté sous caution

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General Principles

Presentation of Evidence

Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be a practice of presenting Crown evidence by verbal statements from the Crown. In some jurisdictions, verbal statements from the Crown is only permitted where there the evidence is not subject to "controversy or contradiction."

In jurisdictions where controversial evidence cannot be presented orally, the evidence may be presented in affidavit.

Examinations

The accused cannot be questioned about the offence by the Crown unless the defence counsel opens the issue in direct examination.

Rules of Evidence

A bail hearing is an informal process where the strict rules of evidence do not apply.

Section 518 addresses the issues of admissibility, relevance and jurisdiction:

Enquêtes devant être faites par le juge de paix et preuve

518 (1) Dans toutes procédures engagées en vertu de l’article 515 :

a) le juge de paix peut, sous réserve de l’alinéa b), faire, auprès du prévenu ou à son sujet, sous serment ou autrement, les enquêtes qu’il estime opportunes;

b) le prévenu ne peut être interrogé par le juge de paix ni par aucune autre personne, sauf son avocat, quant à l’infraction dont il est inculpé; aucune question ne peut lui être posée en contre-interrogatoire relativement à cette infraction à moins qu’il ait déjà témoigné à ce sujet;

c) le poursuivant peut, en sus de toute autre preuve pertinente, présenter une preuve en vue :

(i) soit d’établir que le prévenu a antérieurement été déclaré coupable d’une infraction criminelle,

(ii) soit d’établir que le prévenu a été inculpé d’une autre infraction criminelle et attend son procès à cet égard,

(iii) soit d’établir que le prévenu a antérieurement commis une infraction aux termes de l’article 145,

(iv) soit d’exposer les circonstances de l’infraction présumée, particulièrement en ce qu’elles ont trait à la probabilité de la condamnation du prévenu;

d) le juge de paix peut prendre en considération toutes questions pertinentes sur lesquelles se sont entendus le poursuivant et le prévenu ou son avocat;

d.1) le juge de paix peut admettre en preuve par écrit, de vive voix, ou sous forme d’enregistrement, une communication privée qui a été interceptée au sens de la partie VI, le paragraphe 189(5) ne s’appliquant pas au présent article;

d.2) le juge de paix prend en considération toute preuve relative au besoin d’assurer la sécurité des victimes ou des témoins de l’infraction qui lui est présentée;

e) le juge de paix peut recevoir toute preuve qu’il considère plausible ou digne de foi dans les circonstances de l’espèce et fonder sa décision sur cette preuve.

...
L.R. (1985), ch. C-46, art. 518L.R. (1985), ch. 27 (1er suppl.), art. 84 et 185(F)1994, ch. 44, art. 45; 1999, ch. 25, art. 9(préambule)
[annotation(s) ajoutée(s)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Section 518(1)(e) establishes the primary standard of the acceptance of evidence where it is "credible or trustworthy". The practice in many provinces is for the Crown to "narrate the circumstances of the alleged [offences] and to produce a CPIC printout regarding any prior criminal record." Consequently, the Crown does not normally need to have witnesses present for bail.

A judge's power over its own process can permit the judge to prohibit the use of the hearing for discovery.

Hearsay Evidence

The court is permitted to consider hearsay evidence. This includes admissions and confessions by the accused, and does not require a voir dire for voluntariness.

"credible and trustworthy"

The requirement of "credible and trustworthy" evidence is the standard threshold for receipt of evidence in a bail hearing. The word 'credible' refers to direct evidence and "trustworthy" refers to reliable hearsay evidence.

This provision was added as part of the Bail Reform Act.

Evidence by Submission of Counsel

The reading of unsworn police summaries from the disclosure package requires that the source be "fair and balanced, without vagueness or unstated or unsupported conclusions and inclusive of factors capable of detracting from the reliability of the accumulated evidence." This should include:

• known bias or interest of principal witnesses,
• the circumstantial limits of investigative facts in possession crimes,
• identification evidence frailties, and
• without concealment of acts suggesting constitutionally questionable evidence-gathering techniques.

However, there is some dispute over whether defence must consent to unsworn allegations being admissible. Certain courts have stated that narration of alleged facts cannot be accepted as evidence without consent of the accused. Others have found hearsay readings of summaries is sufficient.

In certain exceptional cases, the liberty interests of the accused warrants that the defence may demand oral evidence that can be cross-examined.

Types of Evidence

Documentary Evidence

A prior criminal record is admissible as well as any acquittals on similar charges.

Audio Evidence

A telephone calls alleged to be made by the accused are admissible without proof of voice identification.

Wiretap Evidence

Evidence from a intercepted communications (i.e. wiretaps) can be admitted without notice.

News and Publications

A bail court may consider news clipping and articles as a manner of reflecting certain segments of the Canadian public.

Relevancy

Section 518(1)(c) permits the admission of relevant evidence on previously convicted offences, pending charges, convicted under s. 145, and the circumstances of the alleged offence.

Bad character evidence may be relevant.

The Crown can admit most any evidence as long as it is "credible and trustworthy." This can include:

• cautioned statement irrespective whether voluntary or Charter compliant;
• bad character evidence;
• wiretap evidence;
• hearsay;
• ambiguous post-offence conduct;
• untested similar fact evidence;
• prior record;
• untried charges; or
• personal information on social and living habits.

Domestic Offences

In offences of spousal and intimate partner violence the crown may adduce evidence including:

1. Whether there is a history of violence or abusive behaviour, and, if so, details of the past abuse;
2. Whether the complainant fears further violence if the accused should be released and, if so, the basis for that fear;
3. The complainant's opinion as to the likelihood of the accused obeying terms of release, in particular no contact provisions; and
4. Whether the accused has any drug or alcohol problems, or a history of mental illness.