R. vs. J.S. – Surrey Provincial Court
Charge: Assault
Issue: Whether our client should receive the same sentence as she did for a prior offence, or a more serious sentence resulting in a criminal record.
Result: Mr. Johnston persuaded the court that a conditional discharge was appropriate, even though she had already received a similar sentence following a guilty plea to an earlier offence. In making its decision, the court also accepted Mr. Johnston’s arguments that the available evidence showed our client’s actions were not as serious as the victim claimed, and that our client’s actions were partly explained by the victim’s conduct on the date of the offence and the history of negative interactions between them. No jail. No criminal record.