The Crown Prosecutor has the right to appeal both a verdict of not guilty and sentence. If the Crown decides to appeal your matter, you will receive a notice of appeal that will be served on you personally, typically by the police. The notice of appeal will briefly set out the errors alleged by the Crown that form the basis for their appeal. If you receive the notice of appeal, it is important to contact an experienced lawyer right away to get advice on what steps you must take. Cory Wilson has successfully represented individuals who have had both their verdicts and sentences appealed by the Crown.
Powers of the Crown to appeal
The Crown can only launch an appeal in limited circumstances set out in the Criminal Code. A Crown appeal can only involve “a question of law”; in other words, the Crown is prevented from bring appeals that involves only factual issues, like whether the trial judge was right to believe a certain witness’ evidence.
Because of the limitation put on the Crown through the Criminal Code and their internal review process, the Crown rarely appeals. The appeals they do initiate are usually ones that have a significant public interest and also have a good chance of success. That is why it is imperative to seek legal assistance right away.
Process for Crown appeals
Crown appeals are subject to the same process and limitation periods as any other appeal. The Crown must serve you with the notice of appeal within 30 days from the acquittal or sentence, depending on what order they are appealing. While it is possible for the Crown to get a special order from the Appeal Court extending the time period in which to appeal, this is extremely rare. The chances are very good that if 30 days has passed since your acquittal or sentence, the Crown has opted against bring an appeal. If the Crown does appeal, it is up to them to order the necessary transcripts, draft a factum and prepare an appeal book. This material will be served on you or your lawyer at some later time. Your acquittal or sentence only changes if the Crown is successful on their appeal.
What can the Court of Appeal do if the Crown appeal is successful?
If the Crown has appealed conviction, the Appeal Court may order you back to have another trial on the same charges or they may substitute a conviction and proceed to sentence you. If the Crown successfully appeals sentence, the Appeal Court may increase the length of the sentence or change the structure of the sentence (for instance, they may order the remainder of a conditional sentence to be served in jail).
What to do if you receive a Notice of Appeal
The most important thing to remember is do not panic. Even though Crown appeals are rare, as an appellant the Crown often faces an uphill battle to convince an appeal court to overturn an acquittal imposed by another judge or by a jury, or the sentence. With an experienced lawyer assisting you to respond to a Crown Appeal, your chances drastically increase that the Court will choose not to interfere and dismiss the appeal.
