Criminal Code

Marginal note:Where fear of sexual offence

• 810.1 (1) Any person who fears on reasonable grounds that another person will commit an offence under section 151, 152, 155 or 159, subsection 160(2) or (3), section 163.1, 170, 171 or 172.1, subsection 173(2) or section 271, 272 or 273, in respect of one or more persons who are under the age of 16 years, may lay an information before a provincial court judge, whether or not the person or persons in respect of whom it is feared that the offence will be committed are named.

• Marginal note:Appearances

  (2) A provincial court judge who receives an information under subsection (1) may cause the parties to appear before a provincial court judge.

• Marginal note:Adjudication

  (3) If the provincial court judge before whom the parties appear is satisfied by the evidence adduced that the informant has reasonable grounds for the fear, the judge may order that the defendant enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period that does not exceed 12 months.

• Marginal note:Duration extended

  (3.01) However, if the provincial court judge is also satisfied that the defendant was convicted previously of a sexual offence in respect of a person who is under the age of 16 years, the judge may order that the defendant enter into the recognizance for a period that does not exceed two years.

• Marginal note:Conditions in recognizance

  (3.02) The provincial court judge may add any reasonable conditions to the recognizance that the judge considers desirable to secure the good conduct of the defendant, including conditions that

  • (a) prohibit the defendant from engaging in any activity that involves contact with persons under the age of 16 years, including using a computer system within the meaning of subsection 342.1(2) for the purpose of communicating with a person under that age;

  • (b) prohibit the defendant from attending a public park or public swimming area where persons under the age of 16 years are present or can reasonably be expected to be present, or a daycare centre, schoolground or playground;

  • (c) require the defendant to participate in a treatment program;

  • (d) require the defendant to wear an electronic monitoring device, if the Attorney General makes the request;

  • (e) require the defendant to remain within a specified geographic area unless written permission to leave that area is obtained from the provincial court judge;

  • (f) require the defendant to return to and remain at his or her place of residence at specified times; or

  • (g) require the defendant to abstain from the consumption of drugs except in accordance with a medical prescription, of alcohol or of any other intoxicating substance.

• Marginal note:Conditions — firearms

  (3.03) The provincial court judge shall consider whether it is desirable, in the interests of the defendant’s safety or that of any other person, to prohibit the defendant from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all of those things. If the judge decides that it is desirable to do so, the judge shall add that condition to the recognizance and specify the period during which the condition applies.

• Marginal note:Surrender, etc.

  (3.04) If the provincial court judge adds a condition described in subsection (3.03) to a recognizance, the judge shall specify in the recognizance how the things referred to in that subsection that are in the defendant’s possession should be surrendered, disposed of, detained, stored or dealt with and how the authorizations, licences and registration certificates that are held by the defendant should be surrendered.

• Marginal note:Condition — reporting

  (3.05) The provincial court judge shall consider whether it is desirable to require the defendant to report to the correctional authority of a province or to an appropriate police authority. If the judge decides that it is desirable to do so, the judge shall add that condition to the recognizance.

• Marginal note:Refusal to enter into recognizance

  (3.1) The provincial court judge may commit the defendant to prison for a term not exceeding twelve months if the defendant fails or refuses to enter into the recognizance.

• Marginal note:Judge may vary recognizance

  (4) A provincial court judge may, on application of the informant or the defendant, vary the conditions fixed in the recognizance.

• Marginal note:Other provisions to apply

  (5) Subsections 810(4) and (5) apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, to recognizances made under this section.