Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)

Marginal note:Release from custody — arrest without warrant

• 498 (1) Subject to subsection (1.1), if a person has been arrested without warrant for an offence, other than one listed in section 469, and has not been taken before a justice or released from custody under any other provision of this Part, a peace officer shall, as soon as practicable, release the person, if

  • (a) the peace officer intends to compel the person’s appearance by way of summons;

  • (b) the peace officer issues an appearance notice to the person; or

  • (c) the person gives an undertaking to the peace officer.

• Marginal note:Person delivered or detained

  (1.01) Subsection (1) also applies in respect of a person who has been arrested without warrant and delivered to a peace officer under subsection 494(3) or placed in the custody of a peace officer under subsection 163.5(3) of the Customs Act and who is detained in custody for an offence other than one listed in section 469 and who has not been taken before a justice or released from custody under any other provision of this Part.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (1.1) The peace officer shall not release the person if the peace officer believes, on reasonable grounds,

  • (a) that it is necessary in the public interest that the person be detained in custody or that the matter of their release from custody be dealt with under another provision of this Part, having regard to all the circumstances including the need to

    • (i) establish the identity of the person,

    • (ii) secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence,

    • (iii) prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or the commission of another offence, or

    • (iv) ensure the safety and security of any victim of or witness to the offence; or

  • (b) that, if the person is released from custody, the person will fail to attend court in order to be dealt with according to law.

• Marginal note:When subsections (1) and (1.01) do not apply

  (2) Subsections (1) and (1.01) do not apply in respect of a person who has been arrested without warrant by a peace officer for an offence described in subsection 503(3).

• Marginal note:Consequences of non-release

  (3) A peace officer who has arrested a person without a warrant, or who has been given the custody of a person arrested without a warrant, for an offence described in subsection (1), and who does not release the person from custody as soon as practicable in the manner described in that subsection shall be deemed to be acting lawfully and in the execution of the officer’s duty for the purposes of

  • (a) any proceedings under this or any other Act of Parliament; or

  • (b) any other proceedings, unless in any such proceedings it is alleged and established by the person making the allegation that the peace officer did not comply with the requirements of subsection (1).