R. v. Soucy (J.L.), (1994) 131 N.S.R.(2d) 195 (ProvCt)

• Judge: Crowell, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
• Case Date: April 06, 1994
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: (1994), 131 N.S.R.(2d) 195 (ProvCt)

R. v. Soucy (J.L.) (1994), 131 N.S.R.(2d) 195 (ProvCt);

  371 A.P.R. 195

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty the Queen v. Joann Lorraine Soucy

(Case Nos. 351710, 351711)

Indexed As: R. v. Soucy (J.L.)

Nova Scotia Provincial Court

Crowell, P.C.J.

April 18, 1994.

Summary:

The accused was charged with impaired driving and driving with an excessive blood- alcohol level, contrary to ss. 253(a) and 253(b) of the Criminal Code.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Court acquitted the accused.

Civil Rights - Topic 4608.1

Right to counsel - Advice of - Under­standing of - The accused was charged with drinking and driving offences under ss. 253(a) and 253(b) of the Criminal Code - She was involved in a single car acci­dent - A demand for blood samples was made over two hours later - The accused was advised of her right to counsel, but there was an issue about whether she was fully aware of her rights and whether she waived her rights under pressure from her superior in the military - Blood samples were taken, but no certificate was pre­sented in evidence - Except for the odour of alcohol, other indicia of impairment were equally consistent with the accused's injuries - There was evidence of alcohol consumption after the accident - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court acquitted the accused.

Civil Rights - Topic 4612

Right to counsel - Waiver or abandonment of - [See Civil Rights - Topic 4608.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 1362

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Evi­dence and proof - [See Civil Rights - Topic 4608.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 1375

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Breathalyzer - Demand for blood sample - [See Civil Rights - Topic 4608.1 ].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Korponey, [1982] 1 S.C.R. 41; 44 N.R. 103; 65 C.C.C.(2d) 65; 26 C.R.(3d) 343; 132 D.L.R.(3d) 354, refd to. [para. 17].

R. v. Clarkson, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 383; 66 N.R. 114; 69 N.B.R.(2d) 40; 177 A.P.R. 40; 25 C.C.C.(3d) 207; 50 C.R.(3d) 289; 26 D.L.R.(4th) 493; 19 C.R.R. 209, refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. DeMont (J.D.) (1992), 118 N.S.R.(2d) 101; 327 A.P.R. 101 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 19].

R. v. Smith (1989), 15 M.V.R.(2d) 159 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 19].

R. v. Brown (G.J.) (1991), 107 N.S.R.(2d) 349; 290 A.P.R. 349 69 C.C.C.(3d) 139 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Rilling, [1976] 2 S.C.R. 183; 5 N.R. 327; 24 C.C.C.(2d) 81; 31 C.R.N.S. 142; 60 D.L.R.(3d) 128; [1975] 6 W.W.R. 626, refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Pavel (1989), 36 O.A.C. 328; 53 C.C.C.(3d) 296 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Collins, [1987] 1 S.C.R. 265; 74 N.R. 276; 56 C.R.(3d) 193; [1987] 3 W.W.R. 699; 38 D.L.R.(4th) 508; 33 C.C.C.(3d) 1; 13 B.C.L.R.(2d) 1; 28 C.R.R. 122, refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Strachan, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 980; 90 N.R. 273; 46 C.C.C.(3d) 479; 67 C.R.(3d) 1; 56 D.L.R.(4th) 673, refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Deruelle, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 663; 139 N.R. 56; 114 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 313 A.P.R. 1; 75 C.C.C.(3d) 118, refd to. [para. 24].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 8 [para. 21]; sect. 10(b) [para. 18].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 253(a), sect. 253(b) [para. 1]; sect. 258(1)(h)(i)(a) [para. 12].

Counsel:

Jack Buntain, Q.C., for the prosecution;

Paul Chiasson, for the defence.

This case was heard on April 6, 1994, at Kentville, Nova Scotia, before Crowell, P.C.J., of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, who delivered the following judgment on April 18, 1994.