CLIENT WITH VIOLENT CRIMINAL RECORD RELEASED ON BAIL FOR FIRST TIME IN YEARS

R. v. G.


Mr. G. was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of marijuana.  C.G. was worried about getting bail because he only had one possible surety; a much younger pregnant girlfriend, who had never been a surety before.  Although the surety was nervous as she had never had to take the stand before, due to extensive preparation with Ms. Bristow, the surety testified with confidence and held up exceptionally well during a tough cross-examination by the Crown.

The Crown’s submissions focussed on the fact that the surety was young and in-experienced as a surety, and that while she meant well, the Crown had doubts that she would be able to control Mr. G.  Crown counsel used Mr. G’s lengthy criminal record for violence, including multiple domestic assault convictions, and failing to comply with court orders to support her argument.


On the other hand, Ms. Bristow raised the fact that Mr. G. did not have any convictions for drug offences.  In addition, the police synopsis – which is all the Court really knew about the case at the bail hearing – indicated that Mr. G. had no drugs on him, and that there were four other people who were in the room where the drugs were found.  Thus, there were certainly weaknesses in the case, and it should lean more towards releasing Mr. G. than detaining him in custody.

While Mr. G.’s prior record would cause some concern that he may commit further offences while out on bail, Ms. Bristow put up a good surety who has helped Mr. G. stay out of trouble since they had been together.  The Court agreed with Ms. Bristow’s submissions, and released Mr. G. to his girlfriend.  Mr. G. was incredibly grateful as he hadn’t been granted bail on any of his previous charges in years.  

​If you have a criminal matter and would like to contact Ms. Bristow for a free consultation, please contact her by phone at 416-598-5741 or email at bristow@criminaltriallawyers.ca

Note:  Past successes do not guarantee future successes