R. v. Madden (T.), 2001 ABPC 58

• Judge: Allen, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: March 23, 2001
• Citations: 2001 ABPC 58;(2001), 288 A.R. 34 (ProvCt)

R. v. Madden (T.) (2001), 288 A.R. 34 (ProvCt)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2001] A.R. TBEd. AP.064

Her Majesty the Queen v. Thomas Madden

(05838107P10101-02; 05975289P10101; 2001 ABPC 58)

Indexed As: R. v. Madden (T.)

Alberta Provincial Court

Allen, P.C.J.

March 23, 2001.

Summary:

The accused was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while having an excessive blood alcohol level. At issue was whether the accused was in care or control of the motor vehicle.

The Alberta Provincial Court found that the accused was in care or control of the vehicle and convicted him of both charges. A conditional stay was entered with respect to the first charge.

Criminal Law - Topic 1368

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Care or control or operating - What constitutes - A police officer observed the accused working on the front driver's side tire of a motor vehicle which was parked across two lanes of traffic - The vehicle was not running and was jacked up - The keys were in the ignition - The accused was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while having an excessive blood alcohol level - The Alberta Provincial Court held that the accused was in care or control of the motor vehicle - The vehicle was operable or movable at all times - In changing the tire, the accused was using the fittings of the motor vehicle and his conduct represented a risk that he would put the vehicle in motion - The accused's previous actions were also indicative of his control of the vehicle - The accused had the means and ability to enter the vehicle and the situation represented a danger that he would enter and drive the vehicle.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. D.W., [1991] 1 S.C.R. 742; 122 N.R. 277; 46 O.A.C. 352; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 397; 3 C.R.(4th) 302, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Avetysan (A.) (2000), 262 N.R. 96; 195 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 338; 586 A.P.R. 338 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Lifchus (W.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 320; 216 N.R. 215; 118 Man.R.(2d) 218; 149 W.A.C. 218; 118 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Starr (R.D.), [2001] S.C.R. 40; 258 N.R. 250; 148 Man.R.(2d) 161; 224 W.A.C. 161; 147 C.C.C.(3d) 449, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Ford, [1982] 1 S.C.R. 231; 40 N.R. 451; 36 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 254; 101 A.P.R. 254; 65 C.C.C.(2d) 392, consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Toews, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 119; 61 N.R. 349; 21 C.C.C.(3d) 24, consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Penno, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 865; 115 N.R. 249; 42 O.A.C. 271; 59 C.C.C.(3d) 344, consd. [para. 22].

R. v. Ferrier (D.P.) (1996), 189 A.R. 136; 2 C.R.(5th) 383 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Diotte (1991), 115 N.B.R.(2d) 195; 291 A.P.R. 195; 64 C.C.C.(3d) 209 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Lloyd (1988), 66 Sask.R. 100; 6 M.V.R.(2d) 240 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Proudlock, [1979] 1 S.C.R. 525; 24 N.R. 199; 43 C.C.C.(2d) 321, refd to. [para. 28].

R. v. Whyte, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 3; 86 N.R. 328; 42 C.C.C.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 30].

R. v. Meisner (1980), 44 N.S.R.(2d) 479; 83 A.P.R. 479; 9 M.V.R. 134 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Johal (H.S.) (1998), 60 O.T.C. 50; 124 C.C.C.(3d) 249 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Lackovic (1988), 29 O.A.C. 382; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 80 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Drapeau (1985), 70 N.S.R.(2d) 187; 166 A.P.R. 187; 23 C.C.C.(3d) 376 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Price (1978), 21 N.B.R.(2d) 532; 37 A.P.R. 532; 40 C.C.C.(2d) 378 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Rishy-Maharaj (1995), 16 M.V.R.(3d) 147 (Ont. Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Rose (1987), 3 M.V.R.(2d) 1 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Drakes (G.) (1991), 51 Q.A.C. 215; 69 C.C.C.(3d) 274 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Camp (1989), 96 A.R. 135 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Rupolo (1970), 2 C.C.C.(2d) 327 (Ont. Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Blair (1987), 82 N.S.R.(2d) 76; 207 A.P.R. 76; 5 M.V.R.(2d) 76 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Breen (1984), 59 N.B.R.(2d) 214; 154 A.P.R. 214 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Schijns (1983), 58 N.S.R.(2d) 348; 123 A.P.R. 348 (Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Murphy (1982), 50 N.S.R.(2d) 344; 98 A.P.R. 344 (Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 34].

R. v. Letestu (1988), 69 Sask.R. 288; 8 M.V.R.(2d) 170 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 35].

R. v. Stephen (1988), 84 N.S.R.(2d) 177; 213 A.P.R. 177 (Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 35].

R. v. Watson (1980), 30 M.V.R. 297 (N.B.Q.B.), refd to. [para. 35].

R. v. Stadey (1983), 20 M.V.R. 288 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 35].

R. v. Stellato (T.) (1993), 61 O.A.C. 217; 78 C.C.C.(3d) 380 (C.A.), affd. [1994] 2 S.C.R. 478; 168 N.R. 190; 72 O.A.C. 140; 90 C.C.C.(3d) 160; 31 C.R.(4th) 60, refd to. [para. 41].

Counsel:

W. Gatward, for the Crown;

C. Laychuk, for the accused.

This matter was heard before Allen, P.C.J., of the Alberta Provincial Court, who delivered the following decision on March 23, 2001.