Difference between revisions of "Motor Vehicle Offences for Drugs and Alcohol (13:IX)"

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A peace officer can demand a breath sample if that officer reasonably suspects a driver has consumed alcohol (Criminal Code s 254(2)). This is for screening purposes only. An officer may also demand a breath or blood sample for later use as evidence in court under s 254(3) if that officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the driver is impaired or has a blood alcohol concentration level over .08. Refusal to provide a sample in either circumstance is a criminal offence (s 254(5)). To demand the sample under s 254(3), the test is both subjective and objective. The peace officer must hold an honest belief and there must be reasonable grounds for this belief (based on Criminal Code s 254(3) and Charter s 8 (protection against unreasonable search and seizure) as interpreted in R v Bernshaw (1994), 95 CCC (3d) 193 (SCC)).
A peace officer can demand a breath sample if that officer reasonably suspects a driver has consumed alcohol (Criminal Code s 254(2)). This is for screening purposes only. An officer may also demand a breath or blood sample for later use as evidence in court under s 254(3) if that officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the driver is impaired or has a blood alcohol concentration level over .08. Refusal to provide a sample in either circumstance is a criminal offence (s 254(5)). To demand the sample under s 254(3), the test is both subjective and objective. The peace officer must hold an honest belief and there must be reasonable grounds for this belief (based on Criminal Code s 254(3) and Charter s 8 (protection against unreasonable search and seizure) as interpreted in R v Bernshaw (1994), 95 CCC (3d) 193 (SCC)).


NOTE: Providing a breath sample is not a voluntary procedure: the peace officer demands the sample. The driver may refuse only if he or she has a “reasonable excuse”.
:'''NOTE:''' Providing a breath sample is not a voluntary procedure: the peace officer demands the sample. The driver may refuse only if he or she has a “reasonable excuse”.


In some cases, a reasonable excuse has been held to include the right to first consult with a lawyer in private. Where an accused chooses to exercise the right to retain counsel, the police officer must provide him or her with a reasonable opportunity to retain and instruct counsel: R v Elgie (1987), 48 MVR 103 (BCCA); R v Manninen, [1987] 1 SCR 1233. If the police officer does not inform the driver of his or her right to retain and instruct counsel (Charter s 10(b)), the breath or blood sample, if given, may be excluded from evidence if admitting it “would bring the administration of justice into disrepute” (Charter s 24(2)).  
In some cases, a reasonable excuse has been held to include the right to first consult with a lawyer in private. Where an accused chooses to exercise the right to retain counsel, the police officer must provide him or her with a reasonable opportunity to retain and instruct counsel: R v Elgie (1987), 48 MVR 103 (BCCA); R v Manninen, [1987] 1 SCR 1233. If the police officer does not inform the driver of his or her right to retain and instruct counsel (Charter s 10(b)), the breath or blood sample, if given, may be excluded from evidence if admitting it “would bring the administration of justice into disrepute” (Charter s 24(2)).  
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CHAPTER 10 FEDERAL DRIVING OFFENCES
CHAPTER 10 FEDERAL DRIVING OFFENCES
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=A. Dangerous Operation=
=A. Dangerous Operation=

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