Écran de témoin et témoignage vidéo en circuit fermé

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Cette page a été mise à jour ou révisée de manière substantielle pour la dernière fois January 2020. (Rev. # 6943)

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• < Témoignages
• < Aides au témoignage

Principes généraux

L'article 650 exige que l'accusé soit présent lors de tous les témoignages entendus lors d'un procès. Une exception peut être faite en vertu de l'art. 486.2 pour que le témoignage soit donné lorsque l'accusé n'a pas de contact direct avec le témoin en raison d'une séparation par un écran ou une télévision en circuit fermé.

À la demande d'un poursuivant ou d'un témoin, le juge peut ordonner que leur témoignage soit entendu soit derrière un écran, soit à partir d'une autre pièce afin que le témoin ne puisse pas voir l'accusé.

Purpose of s. 486.2

The purpose of the section is to "[enable] the young complainant to be able to recount the evidence, fully and candidly, in a more appropriate setting, given the circumstances, while facilitating the elicitation of the truth."

Compétence statutaire et inhérente concurrentes

Il existe également une compétence inhérente autonome au sein de la cour supérieure pour permettre l'utilisation d'écrans lorsqu'il existe des préoccupations pour la sécurité des témoins.

Inférences défavorables inadmissibles

Le tribunal ne peut tirer aucune conclusion défavorable quant au fait qu'une ordonnance concernant un écran ou un lien vidéo soit rendue.

Chaque fois qu'un écran ou une vidéo est utilisé dans un procès devant jury, le juge doit donner des instructions au jury afin qu'aucune conclusion négative ne doive être tirée de son utilisation.

Charge de travail et norme de preuve

Selon la nouvelle version de l'article 486.2, la Couronne n'a plus besoin de présenter de preuve avant d'avoir le droit d'utiliser une aide. Il existe une présomption automatique selon laquelle il peut être utilisé une fois que la Couronne le demande. Il n'incombe pas au défendeur d'une demande d'établir que l'aide nuirait à l'administration de la justice.

Raison de refuser l'aide

La Cour « ne peut refuser de rendre une ordonnance que si elle est convaincue que cette ordonnance nuirait à la bonne administration de la justice. »

Forme du logement

Il y a un certain débat dans la jurisprudence quant à savoir qui doit déterminer le type d'accommodement à ordonner. Certains disent que c'est le demandeur qui choisit, à moins que la forme choisie n'interfère avec la bonne administration de la justice." D'autres tribunaux considèrent la compétence inhérente des tribunaux comme l'autorité de choisir la forme d'accommodement dès le départ.

Some authority says that it is up to the judge to make the determination of what type of testimonial aid is the most appropriate for the witness. The Crown can only make a recommendation.

Constitutionality

Section 486.2 does not violate s. 7.

Witnesses Under 18 Years or Disabled Witness

The governing section is 486.2 which states:

Testimony outside court room — witnesses under 18 or who have a disability

486.2 (1) Despite section 650 [accusé tenu d'être présent avec exceptions], in any proceedings against an accused, the judge or justice shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is under the age of 18 years or who is able to communicate evidence but may have difficulty doing so by reason of a mental or physical disability, or on application of such a witness, order that the witness testify outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused, unless the judge or justice is of the opinion that the order would interfere with the proper administration of justice.
[omis (2)]

Application

(2.1) An application referred to in subsection (1) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – témoins de moins de 18 ans ou handicapés] or (2) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – autres témoins vulnérables] may be made, during the proceedings, to the presiding judge or justice or, before the proceedings begin, to the judge or justice who will preside at the proceedings or, if that judge or justice has not been determined, to any judge or justice having jurisdiction in the judicial district where the proceedings will take place.
[omis (3) and (4)]

Conditions of exclusion

(5) A witness shall not testify outside the court room in accordance with an order made under subsection (1) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – témoins de moins de 18 ans ou handicapés] or (2) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – autres témoins vulnérables] unless arrangements are made for the accused, the judge or justice and the jury to watch the testimony of the witness by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the accused is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the testimony.

No adverse inference

(6) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under subsection (1) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – témoins de moins de 18 ans ou handicapés] or (2) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – autres témoins vulnérables].
2005, c. 32, s. 15; 2014, c. 17, s. 12; 2015, c. 13, s. 15, c. 20, s. 38.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Valid Reasons

Reasons such as shyness and nervousness have been accepted as valid.

Witnesses 18 Years-old or More and Non-Disabled

When the witness is over the age of 17 and is not disabled, the court has discretion to order the use of a close-circuit television or a screen where it would "facilitate the giving of a full and candid account" or where it would be in the "interests of justice".

486.2
[omis (1)]

Other witnesses

(2) Despite section 650 [accusé tenu d'être présent avec exceptions], in any proceedings against an accused, the judge or justice may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness, or on application of a witness, order that the witness testify outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused if the judge or justice is of the opinion that the order would facilitate the giving of a full and candid account by the witness of the acts complained of or would otherwise be in the interest of the proper administration of justice.
[omis (2.1)]

Factors to be considered

(3) In determining whether to make an order under subsection (2) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – autres témoins vulnérables], the judge or justice shall consider

(a) the age of the witness;

(b) the witness’ mental or physical disabilities, if any;

(c) the nature of the offence;

(d) the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused;

(e) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

(f) whether the order is needed to protect the identity of a peace officer who has acted, is acting or will be acting in an undercover capacity, or of a person who has acted, is acting or will be acting covertly under the direction of a peace officer;

(f.1) whether the order is needed to protect the witness’s identity if they have had, have or will have responsibilities relating to national security or intelligence;

(g) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process; and

(h) any other factor that the judge or justice considers relevant.

Same procedure for determination

(4) If the judge or justice is of the opinion that it is necessary for a witness to testify in order to determine whether an order under subsection (2) [témoignage hors salle d'audience – autres témoins vulnérables] should be made in respect of that witness, the judge or justice shall order that the witness testify in accordance with that subsection.
[omis (5) and (6)]

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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Onus

The onus is upon the applicant to establish on a balance of probabilities that the witness will suffer from significant "emotional distress, anxiety and possibly an anxiety attack or anxiety attacks" and that a screen will be required for a full and candid account.

Procedure

The application for the testimonial aid can be made any time before or during the proceedings.

The exercise of discretion under s. 486.2(2) must have "some proper basis" arising from the record or submissions.

The party applying for the screen may need to call evidence. A failure to do so may result in the court rejecting the application for the use of a video link or screen. Despite it not being necessary, it can be a good idea however to present formal evidence by affidavit or oral evidence. The Court may rely on any evidence on the record.

Evidence

An application for CCTV should be supported by more than submissions of counsel. It is best done by evidence of a third party or testimony of the witness themselves.

Factors for Witnesses Aged 18 or More

The court must take into account:

• the age of the witness,
• whether the witness has a mental or physical disability,
• the nature of the offence,
• the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused, and
• any other circumstance that the judge or justice considers relevant.

Evidence from a victim services officer on their observations and opinions of the witness can be relevant.

Balanced against the interests of the protection of the witness, the concerns that are raised by the protection include:

• testimony outside of the courtroom will not "bring to bear the seriousness of the occasion in the same way as a courtroom"
• The ability of counsel and the judge to assess the witness’s testimony may be compromised;
• There is no reasonable opportunity for counsel to show documents to the witness since the witness would be in another room, and,
• The possibility of technical malfunction, including ensuring that the witness does not hear certain exchanges occurring within the courtroom.

It is not sufficient that the witness be "embarrassed and emotionally upset about her upcoming testimony" and that the option to use a screen would be a "relief" to her.

Central to the analysis of the factors is whether the accommodation "will enhance or undermine the truth-seeking function of our criminal trial process."

Children and Disabled

486.2
[omis (1)]

Other witnesses

(2) Despite section 650 [accusé tenu d'être présent avec exceptions], in any proceedings against an accused, the judge or justice may, on application of the prosecutor or a witness, order that the witness testify outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused if the judge or justice is of the opinion that the order is necessary to obtain a full and candid account from the witness of the acts complained of.
[omis (2.1), (3), (4), (5) and (6)]
2005, c. 32, s. 15.

– CCC (CanLII), (Jus.)

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There is a presumption of availability of protection. The court however must be satisfied that the "testimonial aid will not interfere with the proper administration of justice."

History

Section 486.2 was added to the Code on January 2, 2006, replacing a provision that was permissive in imposing a screen where necessary to "get a full and candid account" of the acts. This would often make a potentially fragile witness testify to establish grounds. The amendment was added to make it easier for child witnesses to be protected.

The previous version of 486.2 read:

486
...
(2) Despite section 650, in any proceedings against an accused, the judge or justice may, on application of the prosecutor or a witness, order that the witness testify outside the court room or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused if the judge or justice is of the opinion that the order is necessary to obtain a full and candid account from the witness of the acts complained of.

–

This section was amended in 2015 to reflect an intention to lower the standard that existed previous.

See Also

• Precedent - Testimonial Aids