Patrick J Ducharme

Patrick J Ducharme

Preface 2
CHAPTER ONE 12
The Rules of Evidence 12
Evidence: General Principles 12
Relevance of Evidence 13
Exhibits 16
Presenting Evidence 17
Evidence Presented to Whom? 17
The Method and Order of Presentation of Evidence 18
Note-Taking by Jurors 22
The Co-Conspirators’ Exception to the Hearsay Rule 23

Continue reading “Contents of Canadian Criminal Procedure Volume 2”

Defence counsel is not the alter ego of the client. The function of defence counsel is to provide professional assistance and advice. He must, accordingly, exercise professional skill and judgment in the conduct of the case and not allow himself to be a mere mouthpiece for the client.

– G. Arthur Martin

Continue reading “Preface to Canadian Criminal Procedure – Volume 2”

The following are the contents of Volume 1 of Canadian Criminal Procedure. You can find more information on any topic covered by searching this Web site or by reading the book. We add more of Patrick Ducharme’s articles to this site every day.

Preface 2
Introduction 4

CHAPTER ONE
Continue reading “Contents of Canadian Criminal Procedure Volume 1”

At the time of this writing, people worldwide are suffering the stress, fears, and anxiety that one would expect after two years of coping with COVID-19. Such fears extracted an emotional toll on both mind and body. It’s a frightening time. Businesses have been forced to close. Those that have tried to stay open, or re-open safely, continue to struggle.
Continue reading “Preface to Canadian Criminal Procedure, Volume 1”

Patrick J Ducharme

The following is an index of cases referenced in Volume 1 of Canadian Criminal Procedure:

Index of Cases

Bisaillon v. Keable [1983] 2 SCR 60 (SCC) 247
Borowski v. Canada (A.G.), [1989] SCJ No. 14 (SCC) 419
Brown v. Durham (Regional Municipality) Police Force (1998), 21 C.R. (5th) 1.(ONCA). 276
Canadian Dredge and Dock Company v. R., [1985] 1 SCR 662 (SCC) 307 Continue reading “Canadian Criminal Procedure Volume 1 – Index of Cases”

Patrick Ducharme

Even if an accused has been discharged at the preliminary inquiry, the prosecutor may obtain a direct indictment pursuant to section 577 if the Attorney General or Deputy A.G. consents in writing.

The above is the an excerpt of Patrick J Ducharme's book, Canadian Criminal Procedure, available at Amazon or in bulk through MedicaLegal Publishing along with Criminal Trial Strategies.

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Patrick Ducharme

Subsection 523(2)(c) permits a Justice “at the completion of the preliminary inquiry” to vary any release or detention order in relation to an offence for which the accused is ordered to stand trial, other than for an offence listed in section 469.
Continue reading “Changing Bail at Preliminary Inquiry”

Patrick Ducharme

Decisions on the reasonableness of subsection 540(8) notice or subsection 540(7) decisions on credible or trustworthy evidence are not appealable. They are also not easily reviewable by way of extraordinary remedy. Challenges to an order of committal, or, alleged jurisdictional errors related to the evidence taken at a preliminary hearing are limited to relief sought by way of certiorari, mandamus or prohibition. The scope of these extraordinary remedies is very limited. They require proof of jurisdictional error.
Continue reading “The Proper Method of Challenge”

Patrick Ducharme

The Justice may apparently grant or refuse permission to the prosecutor or counsel to address the court in support of the charge, by way of opening or summing up or by way of reply. The case law, however, suggests strongly that both counsel should be afforded an opportunity to make submissions.
Continue reading “Submissions at Preliminary Hearing”