R. v. Szpuniarski, (1981) 36 A.R. 401 (QB)

• Judge: Cawsey, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: October 07, 1981
• Citations: (1981), 36 A.R. 401 (QB)

R. v. Szpuniarski (1981), 36 A.R. 401 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Szpuniarski

(8111000068A)

Indexed As: R. v. Szpuniarski

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Vegreville

Cawsey, J.

October 7, 1981

Summary:

An accused appealed his conviction of driving a motor vehicle when his blood-alcohol content exceeded .08, contrary to s. 236 of the Criminal Code. The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench dismissed the appeal.

Criminal Law - Topic 1376

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Breathalyzer - Proof of blood-alcohol content - Viva voce evidence of breathalyzer results - The Crown sought to prove a charge under s. 236 of the Criminal Code by viva voce evidence, relying on the presumption created by s. 237(1)(c) of the Code - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench held that it was not necessary for the Crown to prove that the approved instrument contained a substance or solution suitable for use in the breathalyzer instrument or how the chemical analysis was conducted - See paragraphs 7 to 13.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Lightfoot (1981), 36 N.R. 349, folld. [para. 8].

R. v. Ware (1975), 30 C.R.N.S. 308, refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. Gorgichuk (1970), 1 C.C.C.(2d) 492, refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. Rogers (1972), 6 C.C.C.(2d) 496, refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. Magee (1981), 29 A.R. 86, refd to. [para. 13].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 237(1)(c) [paras. 7 to 12]; sect. 237(1)(f) [para. 8].

Counsel:

Kenneth W. Penonzek, for the appellant;

D. Nelson-Zutter, for the respondent.

This appeal was heard before CAWSEY, J., of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Vegreville. The decision of CAWSEY, J., was delivered at Edmonton, Alberta, on October 7, 1981: