R. v. Russell, (1989) 102 N.B.R.(2d) 256 (PC)

• Judge: Desjardins, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of New Brunswick (Canada)
• Case Date: December 05, 1989
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: (1989), 102 N.B.R.(2d) 256 (PC)

R. v. Russell (1989), 102 N.B.R.(2d) 256 (PC);

    102 R.N.-B.(2e) 256; 256 A.P.R. 256

MLB headnote and full text

[French language version follows English language version]

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

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Her Majesty The Queen v. Eileen Morrell Russell

Indexed As: R. v. Russell

New Brunswick Provincial Court

Desjardins, P.C.J.

December 5, 1989.

Summary:

The accused was convicted of refusing a breath sample demand made by a peace officer contrary to s. 238(5) of the Criminal Code. The accused applied to be discharged on condition that she obtain curative treatment pursuant to s. 239(5) of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34.

The New Brunswick Provincial Court refused her application for a discharge and proceeded with a sentence hearing.

Civil Rights - Topic 5661

Equality and protection of the law - Impaired driving - The Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, s. 239(5) - Section 239(5) provided that instead of convicting a person under s. 237, (i.e., with driving while impaired or driving with an excessive blood-alcohol reading), the court could grant a discharge and order curative treatment - Under these provisions the court could not grant a discharge for a driver convicted of refusing or failing to comply with a breath sample demand under s. 238(5) - The New Brunswick Provincial Court held that s. 239(5) was discriminatory and contrary to s. 15 of the Charter - The court declared s. 239(5) to be of no force and effect.

Criminal Law - Topic 4431

Procedure - Discharges - Conditional discharge in lieu of conviction - [See Civil Rights - Topic 5661 above].

Cases Noticed:

Brennan v. Canada and Robichaud, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 84; 75 N.R. 303, refd to. [para. 8].

Newfoundland Telephone Company Limited v. Director of Investigation and Research, Combines Investigation Act, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 466; 80 N.R. 321, refd to. [para. 8].

R. v. Howard (1988), 13 M.V.R.(2d) 126 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), consd. [paras. 8, 11, 24].

R. v. Hamilton, Asselin and McCullagh (1986), 17 O.A.C. 241; 54 C.R.(3d) 193 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 14, 21].

R. v. Van Vliet (1989), 45 C.C.C.(3d) 481 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [paras. 17, 26].

R. v. Hansen (1986), 32 C.C.C.(3d) 199 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 17].

R. v. Ellsworth (1988), 17 Q.A.C. 234; 46 C.C.C.(3d) 442 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 17].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 15 [paras. 9-22]; sect. 24(1) [paras. 22-28].

Constitution Act, 1982, sect. 52(1) [para. 25].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 235(2) [para. 2]; sect. 237 [para. 5]; sect. 237(a) [para. 13]; sect. 237(b) [paras. 2, 13, 14]; sect. 238(2), sect. 238(3) [para. 12]; sect. 238(5) [para. 1 et seq.]; sect. 238(6) [paras. 6, 8]; sect. 239 [para. 4]; sect. 239(1)(a)(iii) [para. 2]; sect. 239(4) [para. 13]; sect. 239(5) [para. 1 et seq.]; sect. 242(1) [paras. 6, 8]; sect. 662.1(1) [paras. 2, 6, 8].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 254(6) [para. 7]; sect. 255(5) [para. 27]; sect. 259(1) [para. 7].

Counsel:

Counsel unavailable.

This case was heard before Desjardins, P.C.J., of the New Brunswick Provincial Court, who delivered the following decision on December 5, 1989.