How does the defence of autrefois acquit work?

Nova Scotia, Canada


The following excerpt is from R. v. Innocente, 2004 NSSC 125 (CanLII):

In Van Rassel v. The Queen (1990), 1990 CanLII 124 (SCC), 53 C.C.C. (3d) 353 McLachlin J. (as she then was), writing for the court, said, at p. 360: To make the defence of autrefois acquit, the accused must show that the two charges laid against him are the same. In particular, he must prove that the following two conditions have been met: (1) the matter is the same, in whole or in part, and (2) the new count must be the same as at the first trial, or be implicitly included in that of the first trial, either in law or on account of the evidence presented if it had been legally possible at that time to make the necessary amendments.

Other Questions


In what circumstances have courts imputed income to a payor who provides no medical evidence to support the payor's claim of not being able to work for health reasons? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
In what circumstances will a judge order costs for work "thrown away" as a result of an adjournment granted on the first day of a trial? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Is the internal workings of the discipline process protected from disclosure? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
What is the common law defence of qualified privilege? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Can a spouse who has worked throughout their marriage suffer economic disadvantage when that marriage ends? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
In what circumstances have courts imputed income to a father where the father failed to produce medical evidence to support his claim that he was unable to work because of health problems? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
What is the defence of duress? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
What is the defence of necessity and duress? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
What is the current sentencing of a sex offender who sexually assaulted a 22 year old woman while she was working as a sex worker? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Does a father have to prove that his reasonable health needs prevent him from working to his capacity? (Nova Scotia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.