R. v. Evaglok, (1980) 33 A.R. 310 (NWTSC)

• Judge: Tallis, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
• Case Date: June 17, 1980
• Jurisdiction: Northwest Territories
• Citations: (1980), 33 A.R. 310 (NWTSC)

R. v. Evaglok (1980), 33 A.R. 310 (NWTSC)

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Evaglok

(No. 2133C)

Indexed As: R. v. Evaglok

Northwest Territories Supreme Court

Tallis, J.

June 17, 1980.

Summary:

The Crown appealed an acquittal of the accused on a charge of stealing a motor vehicle contrary to s. 295 of the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34.

The Northwest Territories Supreme Court dismissed the appeal. The court held that offences under s. 295 of the Criminal Code were not offences of absolute liability and the Crown failed to prove the respondent had the necessary intention to commit the offence.

Criminal Law - Topic 1684

Offences against property - Theft - Taking vehicle or vessel (s. 295) - Mens rea required - The Northwest Territories Supreme Court held that offences held under s. 295 of the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, were not offences of absolute liability - See paragraph 10.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Purves, [1980] 1 W.W.R. 148, consd. [para. 4].

R. v. Colbeck, 42 C.C.C.(2d) 117, consd. [para. 4].

R. v. MacDonald, 29 N.S.R.(2d) 635; 45 A.P.R. 635, consd. [para. 4].

R. v. Urie, 38 C.C.C.(2d) 33, consd. [para. 4].

R. v. Ponsford (1978), 10 A.R. 428, appld. [para. 4].

R. v. Sault Ste Marie, [1978] 2 S.C.R. 1299; 21 N.R. 295; 40 C.C.C.(2d) 353; 85 D.L.R.(3d) 161; 3 C.R.(2d) 30, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Wudrick, 123 C.C.C. 109, consd. [para. 10].

March v. Kulchar, [1952] 1 S.C.R. 330, consd. [para. 10].

R. v. Stally (1960), 44 Cr. App. R. 5, consd. [para. 10].

R. v. Chapin, [1979] 2 S.C.R. 121; 26 N.R. 289; 45 C.C.C.(2d) 333; 7 C.P.(3d) 225, consd. [para. 10].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 295 [paras. 1, 5, 10].

Counsel:

J.D. Courteau, for the appellant Crown;

E. Johnson, for the respondent.

This case was heard before TALLIS, J., of the Northwest Territories Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment on June 17, 1980.