R. v. Alexander (M.), (2010) 298 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 171 (NLTD)

• Judge: Goodridge, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)
• Case Date: May 18, 2010
• Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citations: (2010), 298 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 171 (NLTD)

R. v. Alexander (M.) (2010), 298 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 171 (NLTD);

    921 A.P.R. 171

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2010] Nfld. & P.E.I.R. TBEd. MY.017

Her Majesty the Queen v. Melanie Alexander

(200904T0349; 2010 NLTD 96)

Indexed As: R. v. Alexander (M.)

Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court

Trial Division

Goodridge, J.

May 18, 2010.

Summary:

The accused pled guilty to impaired driving causing death.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court, Trial Division, sentenced the accused to two years' imprisonment followed by a three year driving prohibition.

Criminal Law - Topic 5836

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Deterrence - Prevalence of similar crime - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5864.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5848.7

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Denunciation or repudiation of conduct - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5864.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5849.13

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Drinking or driving offences - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5864.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5849.22

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Pregnancy of accused - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5864.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5864.1

Sentence - Impaired driving causing death - The 28 year accused and the victim spent the evening at a festival - When they left in the early morning hours, the accused drove and the victim was the sole passenger - The accused lost control of the vehicle, swerved off the highway and came to rest upside down in a field - The victim was killed - Blood samples revealed that the accused had a blood-alcohol content of 211mg% - The accused pled guilty to impaired driving causing death - No previous criminal record - No history of alcohol or drug abuse - Was at a low risk to reoffend - Was remorseful and took full responsibility for the offence - Had a partner and was pregnant with their first child - The Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court, Trial Division, sentenced the accused to two years' imprisonment followed by a three year driving prohibition - While specific deterrence was not an issue, general deterrence remained important to ensure that members of the public understood that an offence of this nature would result in significant sanction - With respect to the accused's pregnancy and the upcoming birth, the court directed that all reasonable efforts be made by the Correctional Service of Canada to facilitate continuous attachment between mother and infant during the first several months following birth.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Nasogaluak (L.M.) (2010), 398 N.R. 107; 474 A.R. 88; 479 W.A.C. 88; 315 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 2010 SCC 6, refd to. [para. 5].

R. v. Gladue (J.T.), [1999] 1 S.C.R. 688; 238 N.R. 1; 121 B.C.A.C. 161; 198 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 17].

R. v. Atigikyoak, 2002 NWTSC 90, refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. Butt (R.A.) (1988), 70 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 234; 215 A.P.R. 234; 5 W.C.B.(2d) 189 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [para. 19].

R. v. Proulx (J.K.D.), [2000] 1 S.C.R. 61; 249 N.R. 201; 142 Man.R.(2d) 161; 212 W.A.C. 161; 182 D.L.R.(4th) 1; 2000 SCC 5, refd to. [para. 21].

R. v. Gregoire (A.P.) (2009), 284 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 290; 875 A.P.R. 290; 2009 NLTD 21, dist. [para. 23].

R. v. Gallant (J.A.) (2008), 272 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 338; 830 A.P.R. 338; 2008 PESCAD 1, dist. [para. 24].

R. v. Clyne (D.M.), [2009] B.C.T.C. Uned. 312; 81 M.V.R.(5th) 258; 2009 BCSC 312, refd to. [para. 25].

R. v. Jackson (J.E.) [2007] A.R. Uned. 390; 76 W.C.B.(2d) 277; 2007 ABPC 198, dist. [para. 26].

R. v. Nightingale (D.P.) (2007), 431 A.R. 202; 58 M.V.R.(5th) 274; 2007 ABPC 210, dist. [para. 26].

R. v. Woodfine, 2005 CarswellNfld 397 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 28].

R. v. Ralph (E.R.) (2007), 267 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 253; 811 A.P.R. 253; 2007 NLTD 42, refd to. [para. 29].

R. v. Bath (R.A.) (1998), 164 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 358; 507 A.P.R. 358; 38 W.C.B.(2d) 509 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [para. 30].

R. v. Woodward (H.) (1993), 108 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 240; 339 A.P.R. 240; 83 C.C.C.(3d) 75 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Pittman (M.J.) (1998), 173 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 107; 530 A.P.R. 107; 39 M.V.R.(3d) 237 (Nfld. T.D.), folld. [para. 35].

R. v. Bernshaw (N.), [1995] 1 S.C.R. 254; 176 N.R. 81; 53 B.C.A.C. 1; 87 W.A.C. 1; 35 C.R.(4th) 201; 95 C.C.C.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 36].

Counsel:

William Howse, for Her Majesty the Queen;

Gerard J. Martin, Q.C., for Melanie Alexander.

This case was heard at Corner Brook, Nfld. & Lab., by Goodridge, J., of the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court, Trial Division, who delivered his decision orally on May 18, 2010, and filed the following written decision on May 20, 2010.