R. v. Downey, (1981) 31 A.R. 575 (QB)

• Judge: Hetherington, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: April 03, 1981
• Citations: (1981), 31 A.R. 575 (QB)

R. v. Downey (1981), 31 A.R. 575 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Downey

(80-01-A-0041)

Indexed As: R. v. Downey

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Calgary

Hetherington, J.

April 3, 1981.

Summary:

This is an appeal from a conviction for a refusal to provide a breath sample contrary to s. 235(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34.

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench allowed the appeal. The court stated that it is a reasonable excuse to refuse to provide a breath sample, when a police officer accepted an offer of a blood sample.

Criminal Law - Topic 1378

Offences against person and reputation - Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Breathalyzer - Excuse for refusal to provide breath sample - Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, s. 235(2) - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench held that it is a reasonable excuse to refuse to provide a breath sample, when a police officer accepted an offer of a blood sample - See paragraphs 1 to 6.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Wall, [1974] 5 W.W.R. 634 (Sask. C.A.), refd to. [para. 3].

R. v. Chrun, [1973] 5 W.W.R. 611 (Sask. D.C.), affd. [para. 5].

R. v. Chapman, [1980] Man. D. 564501; 5 Man.R.(2d) 262, refd to. [para. 5].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 235(2) [para. 1].

Counsel:

R.G. Mitchell, for the respondent;

D.G. Rathbone, for the appellant.

This case was heard before HETHERINGTON, J., of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Calgary, who delivered the following judgment on April 3, 1981: