dimanche 7 juillet 2024

La défense est justifiée de ne pas faire son option uniquement si un élément crucial de communication de la preuve ne lui a pas été divulguée

R. v. Lahiry, 2011 ONSC 6780

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[114] In any event, as I read the above line of binding authority, outstanding disclosure can often be significant and it still cannot be used to hold up the setting of dates for trial or preliminary inquiry. Sophisticated forensic testing and ongoing investigative steps often take time and they cannot be allowed to hold the process hostage by preventing the setting of timely trial dates. It is only when the missing disclosure is truly material to "crucial steps" in the process, like election and plea, that it will justify delay at these early stages. This is simply common sense. Lawyers can generally adapt and adjust their trial strategy to ongoing disclosure, received from the Crown while awaiting trial. If the Crown is not being diligent in providing disclosure sufficiently in advance of the trial date, then setting confirmation dates and target dates for trial will solve the problem. By bringing the case back to court, a month or two before the target trial date, defence counsel can create a check to prevent dilatory Crown disclosure practices. If the Crown has not completed all important disclosure by the confirmation date, the defence can then adjourn the target trial date and the Crown's actions will have caused the delay.

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