R. v. Korstad, (1977) 6 A.R. 84 (DC)

CourtCourt of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
Case DateFebruary 09, 1977
Citations(1977), 6 A.R. 84 (DC)

R. v. Korstad (1977), 6 A.R. 84 (DC)

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Korstad

Indexed As: R. v. Korstad

Alberta District Court

Judicial District of Calgary

Tavender, D.C.J.

February 9, 1977.

Summary:

This case arose out of a charge of driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content in excess of that prescribed by s. 236 of the Criminal Code.

The Crown offered certificate evidence to prove the suitability of the solution used in a breathalyzer test and then offered viva voce evidence to prove the results of the analysis of the breath samples taken from the accused. The Alberta District Court approved such a method of proof. However, the Alberta District Court acquitted the accused because the Crown failed to prove that the breath samples taken from the accused were suitable - See paragraphs 21 to 23.

Criminal Law - Topic 1376

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Breathalyzer - Criminal Code, s. 237(1) - Proof of blood alcohol content - The Crown offered certificate evidence to prove the suitability of the solution used in a breathalyzer test and then offered viva voce evidence to prove the results of the analysis of the breath samples - The Alberta District Court approved such a method of proof - The District Court stated that such a method of proof does not relieve the Crown from proving every essential fact.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Dygdale, 1 A.R. 359, folld. [para. 11].

R. v. Coach (1971), 4 C.C.C.(2d) 333, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. May, [1972] 1 W.W.R. 54, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Rogers, [1972] 4 W.W.R. 9, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Teague, [1973] 2 W.W.R. 141, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Hamm, [1974] 1 W.W.R. 729, refd to. [para. 13].

R. ex rel Webb v. Tarr, [1975] 2 W.W.R. 16, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Bachs (1976), 24 C.C.C. 307, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Noble, 15 N.B.R.(2d) 91; 18 A.P.R. 9, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Jones, 16 N.B.R.(2d) 32; 21 A.P.R. 32, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Gorgichuk, [1971] 2 W.W.R. 132, refd to. [para. 14].

R. v. Manysiak, [1971] 3 W.W.R. 530, refd to. [para. 14].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 237(1).

Counsel:

J. McBride, for the Crown;

J.A. MacPherson, for the accused.

The judgment of the Alberta District Court was delivered by TAVENDER, D.C.J., at Calgary, Alta., on February 9, 1977.

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