MCLNugget: Prystay ABQB

R v Prystay, 2019 ABQB 8

 

The Issue

Prystay was charged with a number of offences including possess of a loaded firearm and failing to stop for police. Following his arrest he was detained in custody for 28.5 months. During this period of time he assaulted another inmate. He was consequently placed in administrative segregation – remaining there for 13.5 months. The issues for the court on sentencing were:

  1. Did the segregation amount to a violation of sections 7 or 12

  2. If so, what remedy – a stay or a sentence reduction via enhanced credit beyond 1.5:1 – is appropriate

The Answer

The placement of Prystay in administrative segregation amounted to a violation of s12. It was not the clearest of cases, however, and a stay was not warranted. As an alternative remedy, the court granted enhanced credit beyond 1.5:1 at a rate of 3.75:1.

The Fine Print

In coming to this conclusion the court touched on a number of points related to detention conditions. First, the court noted the general recognition that pre-sentence custody time is more onerous than sentencing time:

It has long been recognized that time served in remand or pre-trial custody is more onerous than time served in a penitentiary after sentencing.  Not only is the environment harsher, with limited access to programs, but pre-trial custody does not count toward parole eligibility or statutory release: R v Sooch, 2008 ABCA 186 at para 11, 433 AR 270; R v Summers, 2014 SCC 26 at para 26, [2014] 1 SCR 575; R v Adams, 2016 ABQB 648 at para 29, [2017] 4 WWR 741. [Para 19].

 

Second, with respect to segregation, the court arrived at the following conclusions:

Inmates in either form of segregation are confined to their cell for 23 hours a day. Most are in single cells.  They have two half-hour blocks outside of their cell during each 24 hour period. If an inmate is designated a cleaner for the unit, they may have an additional one to two hours outside their cell. Movement is strictly controlled. ERC staff are separated from the inmates by a steel and glass wall. 

[…]

Arguably, it is the lack of meaningful human contact that is the most pernicious consequence of placement in segregation. Human beings are not meant to be isolated, particularly for extended periods. The longer a person is isolated, the more challenging it is to relate to others in an acceptable way and to form any type of meaningful relationship. [Paras 28, 39]

 

Third, the court discussed limits and expectations regarding the length of segregation:

To reiterate, Prystay does not challenge his initial placement in AS. His conduct against a fellow inmate warranted this action. The legitimate penal aim in placing Prystay in AS was to ensure the safety and security of other inmates and staff. As outlined below, placement in AS for 13 ½ months went well beyond what was necessary to achieve this legitimate aim. 

Of note, an inmate cannot be placed in DS for more than 14 days at a time: Correctional Institute Regulation, Alta Reg 205/2001, s 46. In contrast, neither the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, s 1992, c 20 (CCRA), nor its regulations, mandate any limit on placement in AS. [Paras 48-49].

 

Fourth, the court commented on the impact of the “indefinite” placement in segregation on Prystay:

I accept Prystay’s evidence that while in AS, he suffered from auditory hallucinations, paranoia, difficulties sleeping, anxiety and chest pain, feelings of hopelessness, increased antisocial feelings. Given his pre-existing mental health issues and the sheer length of time spent in AS, I conclude he was at increased risk of suffering some degree of permanent impact.   

Despite Prystay not having demonstrated permanent psychological injury caused by his stay in AS, I have no hesitation in concluding that while in AS, he suffered mental injury and physical symptoms and his placement put him at significant risk of permanent psychological injury. 

Finally, I conclude that Prystay’s placement was devoid of procedural fairness and appropriate oversight, and on the evidence, his ongoing placement was not justified. [Paras 82-84].

 

Finally, in terms of remedy, the court found a stay was not appropriate:

Similarly, while I find the evidence here to be shocking and deeply disturbing, these circumstances fall short of the “clearest of cases,” especially since a reduction in sentence can be fashioned so as to provide an appropriate remedy. [Para 162].

MCLNugget: Plante ONCA

R v Plante, 2018 ONCA 251

The Issue

What factors govern the granting of credit for pre-sentence custody, especially in relation to an offender sentenced to a reformatory period of incarceration.

The Answer

The Court of Appeal noted the difference between provincial and federal jail time:

A prisoner who is sentenced to 18 months jail, but does not obtain parole is released after 12 months because of earned remission, unless institutional misconduct results in forfeiture of remission. Twelve months of presentence custody is equivalent to an 18 month sentence in these circumstances. According to Summers, this differential alone justifies enhanced credit at a ratio of 1.5:1. [@7]

The court clarified the approach and noted the error of the sentencing judge:

The sentencing judge was wrong to equate re-committal for violation of the terms of statutory release under the federal system with misconduct while serving a sentence within a provincial institution which would lead to a loss of earned remission under the provincial system. There was no evidence here of institutional misconduct which would likely lead to a prolongation of the appellant’s incarceration past the two thirds mark of his sentence. [@10]

The Fine Print

For context, the sentencing judge refused the 1.5:1 credit for the following reasons:

I have considered the defence request that Mr. Plante receive enhanced credit for his presentence in custody. On five previous occasions Mr. Plante was a statutory release violator. I conclude that he is not a candidate for parole or early release. I have not been provided with information about overcrowding at the detention centre or other conditions that might have made Mr. Plante’s presentence detention more onerous. The defence has not met its onus to demonstrate that enhanced credit should be awarded for the presentence in custody. [@2 ONCA]

See to similar effect R v Pitamber, 2018 ONCA 518 where the Court of Appeal offered the following:

The sentencing judge refused to give the appellant credit for pre-sentence custody on any more than a one-for-one basis as the appellant had breached the no contact provisions of previous orders on many occasions. The sentencing judge did not have the benefit of R. v. Plante, 2018 ONCA 251 (CanLII), as well as the fresh evidence indicating that the accused has behaved well during his time in custody.

There is no reason to believe that the accused will not be entitled to release after serving two thirds of his sentence in a provincial institution. Parity of treatment in these circumstances between persons released on bail and those detained in custody mandates a further credit on a 1.5:1 basis of 43 days. The sentence was otherwise fit. [@1-2]

DM

MCLNugget: Burke NLCA

R v Burke, 2018 NLCA 31

The Issue

The standard and appropriateness of imposing a restitution order under s738 of the Code.

The Answer

Stand-alone restitution orders are constitutionally valid. They are discretionary and such discretion must take into account an offender’s ability to pay: R v Zelensky, [1978] 2 SCR 940. However, where there is a breach of trust, ability to pay is not a predominant consideration: R v Castro, 2010 ONCA 718.

The Fine Print

In the present case there was a breach of trust. The evidence did not support an inability to pay. The $35,821.85 restitution order was upheld.

DM

MCLNugget: LeBreton NBCA

R v LeBreton, 2018 NBCA 27

The Issue

Does 724(3)(e) ) of the Code allow a sentencing judge to infer a disputed aggravating fact from the undisputed facts presented at an informal sentencing hearing?

The Answer

In short, yes. The NBCA cited R v Gardiner, [1992] 2 SCR 368 where the SCC held as follows:

It should also be recalled that a plea of guilty, in itself, carries with it an admission of the essential legal ingredients of the offence admitted by the plea, and no more. Beyond that any facts relied upon by the Crown in aggravation must be established by the Crown. If undisputed, the procedure can be very informal. If the facts are contested the issue should be resolved by ordinary legal principles governing criminal proceedings including resolving relevant doubt in favour of the offender. [Gardiner @111].

The Fine Print

The NBCA held that the sentencing judge could, in this case, draw the impugned inference:

In this case, the dispute centres on the sentencing judge’s inference of premeditation, a state of mind which is a question of fact. In my view, the judge was entitled to draw the inference if she was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt it was the only reasonable inference to be drawn from the facts. On this point, although Mr. LeBreton admitted to planning and taking the steps necessary to implement his plan, as noted, his dispute rested with whether the plan was for the purpose of scaring or killing his victim, which raised a question of his state of mind. I conclude his state of mind could be inferred from the facts. Applying Gardiner, it is easily concluded the sentencing judge had the right to rely on admitted facts to infer Mr. LeBreton’s state of mind. It is for this reason I am of the view the sentencing judge’s interpretation of s. 724(3)(e) was consistent with the framework set out by the Supreme Court in Gardiner. [@18]

DM

MCLNugget: Hunt ONCA

R v Hunt, 2018 ONCA 480

The Issue

Does late disclosure, delaying a bail hearing and causing “unnecessary and prolonged uncertainty [regarding his bail status] for the appellant and his family that he supported”.

The Answer

Credit may be provided for state conduct as per R v Nasogaluak, 2010 SCC 6. In this case, however, the trial judge properly rejected the request:

In the view of the sentencing judge, the alleged misconduct did not have anything to do with the circumstances of the offence or the offender so as to warrant consideration in sentencing: see Nasogaluak, at paras. 3 and 49. We agree. Moreover, even if the late disclosure can be described as state misconduct, it does not rise to the level of being a mitigating factor in this case. [@17].

DM

No Discretion to Circumvent

Judge (2).jpg

Do sentencing judges have the discretion to impose concurrent victim surcharges [VS]? The Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously says no. In short, the Court held that “there is no discretion in the court to circumvent this automatic imposition [of the VS] by ordering concurrent victim surcharges.” [Fedele @1]

The Ontario Court of Appeal released the decision in Fedele, 2017 ONCA 554 on the same day that it unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the surcharge: Tinker, 2017 ONCA 552. 

Fedele stole a wheel of cheese and a pack of razor blades. He plead guilty. A pre-sentence report revealed that Fedele was supported by the Ontario Disability Support Program. He was sentenced to five days in jail and 18months probation. The sentencing judge ordered that the victim surcharge of 100$ per conviction be applied concurrently.

The Crown appeal to the Superior Court was dismissed. 

The Summary Conviction Appeal court analogized the VS to a DNA order, in other words, “one order will suffice even where there are multiple convictions” [@9]

The Court disagreed and held that:

the legislative text and legislative history of s. 737 make it clear that victim surcharges are to be imposed for each and every offence and as is the case with fines, there is no judicial discretion in a court to impose victim surcharges concurrently. [@13]

First, the court noted that while

[i]t is true that s. 737 does not remove the discretion to impose victim surcharges concurrently or consecutively, this misses the point. The proper question to ask is whether such a discretion exists. In my view, it does not. [@32]

Second, the Court explained that the terms concurrent and consecutive do not apply to monetary amounts:

[c]oncurrent and consecutive are concepts that apply to periods of time. There can be concurrent sentences of incarceration or concurrent prohibitions on driving. Fines and surcharges are not punishments which are measured in time – they are measured in amounts of money. [@34]

In short, there is no discretion to circumvent the VS.  

LT

Tried to go to rehab; ONCA said no, no, no

Clouthier’s blood alcohol was over the legal limit; he drove anyway. He drove badly and dangerously. Clouthier rear-ended another motorist as he approached an intersection; he fled from the accident. He did so by reversing over the median and heading into a residential area. There he rear-ended a second vehicle. He fled from that accident too- accelerating away at speeds over 100km/hr. He collided head on with another vehicle. One of the passengers of that third vehicle sustained serious injuries and need emergency surgery. Clouthier climbed out of the window of his truck and tried to run away. Witnesses captured him and held him until police arrived.

Clouthier plead guilty to impaired operation causing bodily harm, dangerous operation causing bodily harm and two counts of failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

He was remorseful. He took steps prior to sentencing to address his addictions and depression. By the time of sentencing he was gainfully employed.

Clouthier sought a suspended sentence or alternatively that he be sentenced to 90days and be permitted to serve the time on weekends.

The Crown argued for a sentence of 12months incarceration followed by probation.

The sentencing judge decided that a period of 5months in custody was the appropriate sentence, however she offered Clouthier the opportunity to serve the sentence in two intermittent installments. Clouthier accepted. He served 90days intermittently and then returned to court months later to be sentenced to a further 60days intermittent sentence.

The Crown appealed arguing that the imposition of consecutive intermittent sentences was illegal and that the sentence was manifestly unfit. The Ontario Court of Appeal agreed: 2016 ONCA 197.

Watt JA writing for the Court held:

What happened here was that, by imposing intermittent sentences at different times, the trial judge did indirectly what she could not have done directly without breaching the 90-day limit in s. 732(1) of the Criminal Code. The result is an effective sentence that defeated the very object of s. 732(1) and disregarded the correctional principles that it was meant to serve. [@para 38]

With respect to the fitness of the sentence the Court held that the five month sentence imposed “fails to reflect in any meaningful way the predominant sentencing objectives of general deterrence, denunciation, and protection of the public.” [@para 58]

Moreover the Court noted that it was an error not to have imposed consecutive sentences for the two counts of failing to stop at the scene. Although the sentences for failing to stop could have been made concurrent to each other to give effect to the principle of totality “they should have been made consecutive to the sentences for the dangerous and impaired offences.” [@para 60]

The Court held that the appropriate sentence in this case would have been 15-18months followed by a 12 month period of probation. This is so notwithstanding the positive rehabilitative steps Clouthier took to address his addictions.

In deciding whether to reincarcerate the offender the Court explained that:

These were serious offences that demonstrated a complete disregard for the lives and safety of others lawfully using the streets of an urban area on a summer evening. Repeated flights from the scenes of the accidents displayed a callous indifference to fellow motorists. No undue delay has occurred between service of the sentence and the hearing and determination of the sentence appeal. Despite the respondent’s remorse and significant rehabilitative steps, I see no reason to stay the operation of the sentence I consider appropriate in this case. [@para 64]

The ONCA ordered Clouthier to surrender himself within 72hours to serve a further 9months in custody.

Active efforts at rehabilitation are an important consideration at sentencing however they cannot displace the predominant sentencing objectives of deterrence, denunciation and protection of the public. As Watt JA held, those efforts are what make the appropriate range 15-18months “were it not for these positive attributes, a fit sentence would involve a more lengthy period of incarceration.” [@para 61]

 

The victim surcharge...

Nancy Bateman pleaded guilty to assault. Bateman had thrown a bowl of hot soup at the victim while the two were residents in “a transitional housing facility in the 200 block of Main Street in Vancouver” [para 4]. The sentencing judge imposed an absolute discharge. In relation to the victim surcharge the appeal court noted that the following transpired:

In relation to the mandatory $100 victim surcharge under s. 737 for this summary conviction offence, Defence counsel said the accused wanted the victim surcharge to be payable forthwith and to be found in default. After consulting with his client, however, he changed this submission and said she wanted to have six months to pay. The trial judge acceded to this request, stating: 
THE COURT:  Yes. What I will do presently today is I will give Ms. Bateman six months to pay the surcharge.
Another lawyer who happened to be in the courtroom asked if she could “assist the court” and then suggested a “rather unique, relatively creative approach” using the fine option program in s. 736.
Over the objection of the Crown, the trial judge then said that she was going to deem the victim surcharge paid under s. 736(3). When Crown counsel asked by what mechanism, the trial judge stated: 
THE COURT:  I am just deeming it paid. 
Proceedings were then adjourned, and the accused and both counsel left the courtroom.
Later the same day, at the request of the trial judge, both Crown and defence counsel returned to the courtroom. In the absence of the accused, the trial judge announced that she was going to enter a stay of proceedings on the charge. When Crown counsel asked the trial judge to provide reasons, the trial judge said:
THE COURT:  Well, if the matter had proceeded to trial, I believe the young woman would have been acquitted. And she was not – she clearly wanted to proceed, most likely because of her mental health issues. And perhaps those should have been taken into account when the charge approval decision was made.
[Paras 9-13].

The Crown appealed. The appeal was allowed in relation to the stay: 2015 BCSC 2071. Bateman conceded that the judge was functus. The appeal court held that the sentencing judge’s reasons did not “provide a proper basis for entering a stay” [para 15].

Turning to address the victim surcharge, the appeal court held:

I agree with counsel for Ms. Bateman that notwithstanding s. 737(4), a sentencing judge retains a discretion to allow no time to pay, pursuant to s. 734.7(2). This is because s. 737(9) provides, inter alia, that s. 734.7 applies, with any modifications that the circumstances require, in respect of a victim surcharge, and that any reference to “fine” in s. 734.7 must be read as if it were a reference to “victim surcharge”. [Para 32].

Notwithstanding this finding, the court imposed the surcharge and granted six months to pay – the initial position advanced by Bateman.

With respect, there are at least two problems with this finding. First, having concluded that the offender lacked the means to pay it is illogical and improper to impose the surcharge and vary the time to pay causing an immediate default. In British Columbia the offender would have been grant 2 months to pay. If he did not pay – because, as the court found on the day of sentencing he was unable to – then no jail would be imposed: see R v Wu, 2003 SCC 73. In effect, the court has imposed an unnecessary jail term.

Second, the point of section 734.3 (which allows for the court to vary time to pay) is to allow an offender more time to pay. Overriding the statutory time to pay – forcing immediate default – is not only inconsistent with the dicta in Wu (that courts should not determine future ability to pay at the time of sentencing) but it also appears to be a means to avoid the imposition of the surcharge.

DM

Toews Counting: one day for one day

Trevor Toews was convicted of second-degree murder. With respect to sentence, the Crown and defence were ad idem regarding the appropriate period of parole ineligibility - 10 years. The sentencing judge accepted this position. The judge, however, reduced the 10 years to 6 years and 8 months to "reflect an enhanced credit for pre-trial custody" [para 1]. The Crown appealed that ruling. The Court of Appeal allowed the Crown's appeal: 2015 ABCA 167.   

Enhanced credit may be given where a court imposes a jail sentence, pursuant to section 719(3.1). The discretion to do so, provided in that section, has no application to life sentences for murder; that sentence is prescribed by 745(c). Time spent in custody prior to sentencing for murder is included in the calculation of the period of parole ineligibility but enhanced credit cannot be given in relation to that time [paras 3-4]. 

There is nothing in the statutory scheme that expressly supports a discretion to reduce the period of parole ineligibility below the statutory minimum. The absence of a specific provision precluding the discretion cannot support the existence of a residual discretion contrary to the statutory scheme. These conclusions are consistent with decisions of this Court and other appellate courts: R v Stephen, 1999 ABCA 190 (CanLII); R v Tsyganov,1998 NSCA 227; R v Kitaitchik (2002), 2002 CanLII 45000 (ON CA), 161 OAC 169 (CA).
The respondent argues that had he known there was an issue as to the availability of an enhanced credit, he may have led evidence to justify the credit. This argument cannot succeed. No amount of evidence can overcome a lack of jurisdiction. [Paras 4-5]

DM

Victim Surcharge, constitutionally sound

The victim surcharge codified in section 737 of the Criminal Code has survived yet another challenge to its constitutional validity: R c Boudreault, 2015 QCCQ September 23, 2015 (currently unreported). Alex Boudreault committed lots of criminal offences, some summary and some indictable. By the time sentence was to be imposed he had entered pleas of guilt to 19 charges including numerous breaches of conditions, residential break and enter and assault with a weapon.

Some of the offences Boudreault plead guilty to pre-dated the amendment to s737 of the Code, meaning that the judge retained a discretion to vary or waive the amount owed by the imposition of the surcharge. Some of the convictions post-dated the amendments to s737 of the Code. The amendments removed judicial discretion to vary or waive the surcharge and also increased the amount of the surcharge. Boudreault was to owe $1400 in mandatory surcharges and a maximum of $1200 in respect of the pre-amendment convictions.

Boudreault sought a declaration that the mandatory victim surcharge violated section 12 of the Charter and was therefore unconstitutional.

Boudreault testified that:

·         He had dropped out of high school at the age of 15

·         He has never had stable employment

·         He has not received any income since November 2013

·         Upon his release from prison he wishes to complete his high school diploma

In light of these circumstances Boudreault argued that his limited earning capacity results in a grossly disproportionate effect of the surcharge provisions such that the provision is unconstitutional.

Boyer J of the Quebec provincial court rejected this argument. The Court held that notwithstanding the fact that the offender is both of limited means and with limited earning capacity an extension of the time to pay the surcharge would inure to the benefit of the offender. Moreover, non-payment of the surcharge does not result in consequences to the accused. It is only by application of the regulation that allows for the issuing of a warrant in default of payment that triggers the potential for consequences due to default.

Additionally, the province of Quebec offers a fine option program. Those with surcharge sums due may also avail themselves of the fine option program. In fact during his testimony the offender conceded that he was contemplating making use of a fine option program so that he could satisfy the outstanding debt.

In fact, in Quebec any offender in custody is notified by letter prior to their release of the amount of surcharges owing and the availability of a fine option program. Evidence lead at the hearing revealed that an 8hour work day at minimum wage results in 80$ paid to the outstanding surcharge debt. In order to pay off the mandatory $1400 the offender in this case would have to complete 17.5 consecutive days of work.

Boyer J noted that “if the accused considers that the total amount of the surcharges he owes are excessive, he has only himself to blame, given the high number of offences he committed; this does not render the punishment of the surcharge a cruel and unusual punishment.” [translated from the original French at para 44]

Having found no violation of s12 on the basis of the actual circumstances of the offender before the court, Boyer J then turned to a consideration of reasonable hypotheticals.

First, the court considered a scenario where an accused was charged with 56 counts of unlawfully at large. Although, not expressly mentioned in this particular decision the reference to a crime against the administration of justice such as unlawfully at large, as opposed to a crime perpetrated against a named victim harkens to arguments raised on other constitutional challenges to this provision based on a lack of connection between the purpose of the legislation and mechanism by which the purpose is achieved. In any event, Justice Boyer dismissed the example as an unreasonable hypothetical noting that much like the case of the offender before the court, the offender alone is responsible for the number of counts they are facing- not s737 of the Code.

Justice Boyer then cited with approval a decision from the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal:

The trial judge erred in law in his analysis concerning the application of section 12 of the Charter. He could not base his finding that the sentence provided for in the Excise Act constitutes cruel and unusual punishment simply on the fact that Desjardins is on welfare and that the Crown did not establish his ability to pay the fine. Courts are not ignorant of the ease with which many convicted persons can prove their financial incapacity by showing their lack of legal financial resources at the moment of sentencing. [at para 29]

Although not referenced by Justice Boyer this is entirely consistent with the Supreme Court of Canada’s determination in Wu where the majority of the Court held that the present inability of an offender to pay cannot be the basis to conclude that he will, for all time, be unable to pay.

As stated, the trial judge gave the respondent no time to pay. This was in accordance with a request from the defence, which sought to lay the basis for a conditional sentence. But it was an error. If it is clear that the offender does not have the means to pay immediately, he or she should be given time to pay: see R. v. Andrews (1973), [1974] 2 W.W.R. 481 (B.C. S.C.), and R. v. Brooks, [1988] N.S.J. No. 94 (N.S. C.A.). The time should be what is reasonable in all the circumstances: R. v. Beaton (1984), 49 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 15 (P.E.I. C.A.), and R. v. Tessier (1957), 21 W.W.R. 331 (Man. Co. Ct.). In Canada (Attorney General) v. Radigan (1976), 33 C.R.N.S. 358 (Que. C.A.), the Quebec Court of Appeal allowed the offender to pay a fine of $5,000 through semi-annual instalments of $625. The courts have considerable flexibility to respond to the particular facts of an offender's situation. It is wrong to assume, as was done in this case, that the circumstances of the offender at the date of the sentencing will necessarily continue into the future.
[. . .]
An offender's inability to pay is precisely the reason why time is allowed, not a reason why it should be altogether denied: R. v. Natrall (1972), 9 C.C.C. (2d) 390 (B.C. C.A.), at p. 397; R. v. Zink (1992), 13 B.C.A.C. 241 (B.C. C.A.). It is true that the fine could not have been paid immediately, and perhaps never in full, but the mandatory minimum fine scheme imposed by Parliament was effectively nullified by immediately shifting the penalty from the respondent's financial interest to his liberty interest. R v Wu, 2003 SCC 73 at paras 31 and 33 (SCC)

Justice Boyer also rejected the offender’s hypothetical scenario involving an offender subject to an absolute discharge.

The Court found that the offender could not possibly be sentenced to an absolute discharge given the seriousness of the offences before the court. Boyer J held that it was incumbent on the accused to raise reasonable hypotheticals and not hypotheticals that are implausible or hard to imagine.

The Court concluded that s737 is constitutionally sound and imposed the mandatory surcharges. The Court then waived the imposition of the discretionary (pre-amendment) surcharges.  Ironically, judges consistently waiving the surcharge was one of the leading factors in the decision to amend s737 of the Code and make the surcharge mandatory in all cases. 

LT