Regina v. K.T.H. [Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary – October 2016]

Section 430 of the Criminal Code of Canada – Mischief to Property K.T.H., a middle-aged lady, had recently ended a relationship with a long-term boyfriend. As is often the case, the separation was less than amicable. There was a verbal dispute over the division of property, among other confrontations. K.T.H. was alleged to have gone to her ex-boyfriend’s workplace and …

Regina v. A.A.S. [Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary – May 2017] – Breach

A.A.S. was at home going about his daily routine when he discovered that he was being surreptitiously watched by a group of unknown people outside his house. Unbeknownst to A.A.S., the group of individuals were undercover police officers conducting surveillance on a drug investigation. Not knowing that the individuals were police officers, A.A.S. attempted to confront them, but they fled …

Regina v. I.C.G. [Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary – March 2017]

I.C.G. was intoxicated and causing a disturbance at a local restaurant. The police were called and found I.C.G. in the parking lot. The police, in fairness, repeatedly told I.C.G. to get in a taxi and go home. I.C.G. did not listen. The police then arrested I.C.G. on outstanding warrants and transported him back to the police station. Upon arrival, I.C.G. …

Regina v. G.F.A. [Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary – November 2016] – Assault

Section 266 of the Criminal Code of Canada – Assault G.F.A. was charged with assault stemming from a domestic situation with his estranged wife. G.F.A’s estranged wife claimed that he assaulted her after a dispute over the distribution of property. As is often the case in domestic disputes, the first person to call the police is treated as the victim, …

Regina v. T.J.C. [Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary – January 2017] – Theft Over

Section 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada – Theft over $5000 T.J.C. was charged with theft over $5,000 as a consequence of multiple fictitious debit transactions at his retail job. This was a traditional “theft from employer” case, where jail is almost always the inevitable result of a finding of guilt. This case was particularly challenging as the accused, having chosen not …

Regina v. A.A.G. [December 2016] – Shoplifting

Section 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada – Shoplifting from a retail store A.A.G. was charged with theft under $5000.00 after a loss prevention officer (Retail Security Gaurd) observed A.A.G take merchandise out of Walmart without paying. This was not the first time A.A.G. faced charges of this nature. As a result of the CCTV footage that captured the theft …

Regina v. S.S.C. [February 2017] – Impaired Driving by Drug

S.S.C. was involved in a collision with another motor vehicle. The police were called and attended to S.S.C., who was still positioned in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The officer observed indicia of impairment and demanded that S.S.C. comply with the Standard Field Sobriety Test (S.F.S.T.). The S.F.S.T. is a battery of physical co-ordination tests that take place on …

Regina v. P.M.S. [February 2017] – Impaired Driving – Care and Control

Section 253(a) and Section 253(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada – Care and Control impaired driving An R.C.M.P. officer found P.M.S. sleeping at the wheel of a running motor vehicle outside a local drinking establishment. The officer, purportedly out of concern for P.M.S.’s safety, woke P.M.S. from his sleep. The officer identified a number of indicia of impairment and arrested …

Regina v. C.R.S. [Provincial Court of Alberta – June 2017] – Firearms and Drugs

Firearms offences – Drug offences – Fentanyl – The Calgary Police Service received multiple complaints from neighbours in relation to a residence in an affluent area of Calgary.  The neighbours also made multiple complaints through SCAN (Safer communities and neighbourhoods act).  The house was purported to have been frequented by unsavoury individuals who were well known to the police.  Moreover, a …