R. v. Passey (D.M.), (1997) 209 A.R. 191 (CA)

• Judge: Berger, J.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Alberta)
• Case Date: November 20, 1997
• Citations: (1997), 209 A.R. 191 (CA);1997 ABCA 343;209 AR 191;56 Alta LR (3d) 317;121 CCC (3d) 444;[1997] CarswellAlta 984;[1997] AJ No 1151 (QL);160 WAC 191

R. v. Passey (D.M.) (1997), 209 A.R. 191 (CA);

         160 W.A.C. 191

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [1997] A.R. TBEd. DE.019

Her Majesty The Queen (respondent) v. Donald Michael Passey (appellant/applicant)

(Appeal No. 9703-0566-A)

Indexed As: R. v. Passey (D.M.)

Alberta Court of Appeal

Berger, J.A.

November 25, 1997.

Summary:

The accused was convicted on two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The accused appealed his convictions and applied under s. 679(3) of the Criminal Code for judicial interim release pending the hearing of the appeal.

The Alberta Court of Appeal, per Berger, J.A., allowed the application and granted the accused's release subject to conditions.

Criminal Law - Topic 3310

Compelling appearance, detention and release - Interim release of accused pend­ing appeal - Release pending appeal - The accused was convicted on two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment - The accused appealed his convictions and applied under s. 679(3) of the Criminal Code for judicial interim release pending the hearing of the appeal - The Alberta Court of Appeal, per Berger, J.A., allowed the application, where the accused established that his appeal was not frivolous and the Crown conceded the accused was not a flight risk or a danger to the public - The court stated that "frivolous" meant an arguable ground of appeal or one that would not necessarily fail (low standard).

Words and Phrases

Frivolous - The Alberta Court of Appeal, per Berger, J.A., defined the word "frivol­ous", as found in s. 679(3) of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46 - See para­graphs 6 to 8.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. W.W.H. (1996), 144 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 289; 451 A.P.R. 289 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Genge, [1992] N.J. No. 238 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Davison (1974), 20 C.C.C.(2d) 422 (Ont. S.C.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Mian (1996), 148 N.S.R.(2d) 155; 429 A.P.R. 155 (C.A.), affd. 149 N.S.R.(2d) 227; 432 A.P.R. 227 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Hanna (1992), 3 B.C.A.C. 57; 7 W.A.C. 57 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Parson (G.J.) (1994), 117 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 69; 365 A.P.R. 69; 30 C.R.(4th) 169 (Nfld. C.A.), affd. 118 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 353; 369 A.P.R. 353 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Drouin, [1994] S.J. No. 350 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Trainor (F.E.) (1996), 138 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 357; 431 A.P.R. 357 (P.E.I.S.C.), refd to. [para. 8].

R. v. Scott, [1988] M.J. No. 518 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

R. v. Davis (1976), 1 A.R. 534; 32 C.C.C.(2d) 526 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 12].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 679(3) [para. 6].

Counsel:

B. Rosborough, for the respondent, Crown;

M. Bloos, for the appellant, accused.

This application was heard on November 20, 1997, before Berger, J.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal, who delivered the follow­ing memorandum of judgment on November 25, 1997.