Resolving Criminal Matters Prior to Trial (1:VI): Difference between revisions
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Resolving Criminal Matters Prior to Trial (1:VI) (view source)
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A peace bond is a court order requiring a specific individual to "keep the peace and be of good behaviour". A peace bond is not a conviction or a guilty plea; however, a peace bond can restrict the client’s liberty. Under section 810 of the ''Criminal Code'' the accused enters into a recognizance with conditions; in addition to requiring that the recipient to "keep the peace and be of a good behaviour", a peace bond will also set out specific conditions intended to protect a person or a specific type of property, such as, not to contact certain persons and/or not to attend a certain address or area. These conditions can last up to one year, and the length of the term can be negotiated with Crown. Although a peace bond is not itself a criminal conviction, breaching a peace bond is a separate criminal offence. | A peace bond is a court order requiring a specific individual to "keep the peace and be of good behaviour". A peace bond is not a conviction or a guilty plea; however, a peace bond can restrict the client’s liberty. Under section 810 of the ''Criminal Code'' the accused enters into a recognizance with conditions; in addition to requiring that the recipient to "keep the peace and be of a good behaviour", a peace bond will also set out specific conditions intended to protect a person or a specific type of property, such as, not to contact certain persons and/or not to attend a certain address or area. These conditions can last up to one year, and the length of the term can be negotiated with Crown. Although a peace bond is not itself a criminal conviction, breaching a peace bond is a separate criminal offence. | ||
In order for a peace bond to be imposed, there must exist ''reasonable grounds'' for the complainant to believe that the accused will cause personal injury to the complainant or his or her spouse or child or that they will cause damage to his or her property at the time of the peace bond proceedings. Therefore, in entering into a peace bond voluntarily, the client is conceding that the complainant has reasonable grounds for their fear. The accused does not have to admit to all of the facts in the Report to Crown Counsel. However, they do have to admit to sufficient facts to form a reasonable basis for the victim to fear the accused. If there are facts that are in dispute, discuss this with Crown first. If both sides come to an agreement, the court process is similar to a sentencing hearing in terms of the submissions that are made. For more information, see the section on [[{{PAGENAME}}#D. Pleading Guilty | Pleading Guilty]], below. | In order for a peace bond to be imposed, there must exist '''reasonable grounds''' for the complainant to believe that the accused will cause personal injury to the complainant or his or her spouse or child or that they will cause damage to his or her property at the time of the peace bond proceedings. Therefore, in entering into a peace bond voluntarily, the client is conceding that the complainant has reasonable grounds for their fear. The accused does not have to admit to all of the facts in the Report to Crown Counsel. However, they do have to admit to sufficient facts to form a reasonable basis for the victim to fear the accused. If there are facts that are in dispute, discuss this with Crown first. If both sides come to an agreement, the court process is similar to a sentencing hearing in terms of the submissions that are made. For more information, see the section on [[{{PAGENAME}}#D. Pleading Guilty | Pleading Guilty]], below. | ||
Occasionally, such as when the Crown wishes to impose a peace bond and the accused does not agree, there will be a full hearing on the issue. The Crown often considers peace bonds in cases of spousal assault because of a victim's reluctance to go to trial. At the hearing, the Crown must prove on a '''balance of probabilities''' that there are reasonable grounds for the fear. '''Hearsay evidence is allowed, as it goes to the informant’s belief that there are grounds for the fear''' (''R. v PAO'', [2002] BCJ No 3021 (BC Prov Ct)). Since there is no criminal standard of proof, the judge must look at ''all'' the evidence, and not focus merely on the absence of the offending conduct (''R v Dol'', [2004] BCJ No 2314 (BCSC)). | Occasionally, such as when the Crown wishes to impose a peace bond and the accused does not agree, there will be a full hearing on the issue. The Crown often considers peace bonds in cases of spousal assault because of a victim's reluctance to go to trial. At the hearing, the Crown must prove on a '''balance of probabilities''' that there are reasonable grounds for the fear. '''Hearsay evidence is allowed, as it goes to the informant’s belief that there are grounds for the fear''' (''R. v PAO'', [2002] BCJ No 3021 (BC Prov Ct)). Since there is no criminal standard of proof, the judge must look at ''all'' the evidence, and not focus merely on the absence of the offending conduct (''R v Dol'', [2004] BCJ No 2314 (BCSC)). | ||
