The Carter Defence is a strategy for fighting drunk driving or DUI charges in Canada.
The whole purpose of the Carter defence is to meet the definition of “reasonable doubt”.
Named after the case of R. v. Carter, this DUI defence is arguably one of the most popular methods for disputing DUI charges in any criminal court in Canada.
Carter DUI defences usually involve testimony and evidence to dispute the intoxication of the person being accused of driving under the influence (otherwise known as a “DUI”). While the person who is being accused of the DUI’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reading may be above the legal limit of 0.08, the Carter defence includes testimony from individuals, witnesses and experts to bring to light factors such as:
The amount of alcohol that was ingested by the person being accused of the DUI and in what timeframe. The person being accused’s likelihood of intoxication given his or her age, gender, weight, height, and other personal factors.
You essentially present to the court that given the amount of alcohol ingested in the period of time prior to the arrest and given the accused’s size, it is doubtful that the reading is accurate. Many judges across Canada have acquitted individuals based on this contrary evidence being presented in court.
“He would not have been intoxicated given what he drank…”
Carter DUI defences requires testimony of the person being accused of the DUI or witnesses to his or her drinking as well as a toxicologist or other medical expert witness. The purpose of the expert witness is to say “he would not have been intoxicated given what he drank”.
The two elements are thus testimony that the amount of alcohol the accused ingested on the day or night of the charge combined with expert testimony that the accused would not be legally intoxicated given his or her personal circumstances.
Carter DUI Defence Availability Post 2008
Given the large number of acquittals via this method the Harper government amended the legislation to limit the scope of the Carter defence back in 2008. This decision was in reaction to public opinion that drunk drivers were being acquitted too easily.
In supporting the legislative amendments, some pointed to judges themselves lamenting that they believed the individual was guilty just not to the standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Constitutional Challenges To The 2008 Change
Anytime a government enacts new legislation, there is a possibility that the courts in Canada will find that it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and declare it to be invalid. The Charter enshrines numerous rights and principles including the right to a fair trial and to make a defence.
Given that the 2008 law prevents or limits certain defences, it is thus subject to scrutiny in regards to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
As of 2012, several courts across Canada have declared the law to be unconstitutional. This increases the likelihood that the judge hearing a defendant’s case may similarly rule the same way. Lawyers thus may still be able to use the Carter defence in 2012. In cases where trial judges disallow the Carter defence, the defendant may be able to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Canada.
It should be noted that eventually the Supreme Court of Canada will rule on the 2008 amendments and provide clear guidance to courts across the country. If they decide the law is unconstitutional, defendants across the country will have certainty in using this method to dispute DUIs. In response, the Government would likely then enact new, perhaps less restrictive, legislation that they believe will the Supreme Court of Canada will agree with.
What is the current state of the Carter DUI Defence in 2023?
The Federal Government of Canada recently amended the Criminal Code to further limit defences such as the Carter Defence. However, these new laws remain largely untested for their constitutionality as of 2023.
While the availability and future of Carter type defences is uncertain, it’s possible that those disputing DUIs will still be successful using it in 2023. It’s important not to discount the possibility of this defence, particularly in cases where the BAC reading is not too far above 0.08.
Criminal cases in Canada can easily take a year or more to reach trial and in that time the new law may be struck down by an Appeal court in your province by the time your matter reaches trial. If that happens, it would provide a certainty of the availability of using the Carter defence against DUI’s.
*Please note: The law in Canada regarding DUI defences is constantly changing. It is important to contact a criminal lawyer immediately to determine what defences are currently available as options in your particular case.
