R. v. Robichaud (D.), (2012) 399 N.B.R.(2d) 348 (TD)

• Judge: Léger, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
• Case Date: July 05, 2012
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: (2012), 399 N.B.R.(2d) 348 (TD);2012 NBQB 359

R. v. Robichaud (D.) (2012), 399 N.B.R.(2d) 348 (TD);

    399 R.N.-B.(2e) 348; 1035 A.P.R. 348

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Sommaire et texte intégral

[French language version follows English language version]

[La version française vient à la suite de la version anglaise]

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Temp. Cite: [2013] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. FE.016

Renvoi temp.: [2013] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. FE.016

Her Majesty the Queen (appellant) v. Donat Robichaud (respondent)

(B/CA/01/11; 2012 NBQB 359; 2012 NBBR 359)

Indexed As: R. v. Robichaud (D.)

Répertorié: R. v. Robichaud (D.)

New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench

Trial Division

Judicial District of Bathurst

Léger, J.

October 29, 2012.

Summary:

Résumé:

The accused was acquitted of failing to comply with a breath sample demand. The Crown appealed.

The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, allowed the appeal, set aside the acquittal and substituted a conviction. The case was remitted for sentencing.

Civil Rights - Topic 2943

Language - Criminal proceedings - Active offer of choice of language - [See Civil Rights - Topic 8368 ].

Civil Rights - Topic 8368

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom - Denial of rights - Remedies - Exclusion of evidence - The accused was acquitted of failing to comply with a breath sample demand - The trial judge excluded evidence under s. 24(2) of the Charter because the arresting officer failed to make the accused an active offer of service in the language of his choice and to inform him of that right (Official Languages Act, s. 31(1) and Charter, s. 20(2)) - The Crown appealed - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, allowed the appeal - The trial judge made unreasonable findings in concluding that the admission of evidence would bring the administration of justice into disrepute - Considered as a whole, the breach of the accused's language rights did not warrant excluding the evidence - A conviction was entered.

Droits et libertés - Cote 2943

Langue - Affaires criminelles - Offre active de choix de langue - [Voir Civil Rights - Topic 2943 ].

Droits et libertés - Cote 8368

Charte canadienne des droits et libertés - Négation de droits - Mesures de redressement - Exclusion de la preuve - [Voir Civil Rights - Topic 8368 ].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Fowler (M.O.) (2006), 304 N.B.R.(2d) 106; 788 A.P.R. 106; 2006 NBCA 90, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Beaulieu (G.), [2010] 1 S.C.R. 248; 398 N.R. 345; 2010 SCC 7, refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Grant (D.), [2009] 2 S.C.R. 353; 391 N.R. 1; 253 O.A.C. 124; 2009 SCC 32, refd to. [para. 17].

R. v. Losier (S.A.) (2011), 380 N.B.R.(2d) 115; 980 A.P.R. 115; 2011 NBCA 102, refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. Côté (A.) (2011), 421 N.R. 112; 2011 SCC 46, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Thériault (E.) (2012), 392 N.B.R.(2d) 10; 1016 A.P.R. 10; 2012 NBQB 184, refd to. [para. 30].

Counsel:

Avocats:

Pierre Gionet, for the appellant;

Bertin Thériault, for the respondent.

This appeal was heard on July 5, 2012, before Léger, J., of the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, Judicial District of Bathurst, who delivered the following decision on October 29, 2012.