22. Regina v. P.C. [Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Calgary – September 2012]

Client was stopped by the police while operating a relatively high profile SUV. The police detected the scent of marijuana, arrested P.C. and conducted a search of the vehicle. As a consequence of that search P.C. was charged with 3 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking (marijuana/cocaine/ecstasy) and being in possession of proceeds of crime. We entered an election of trial by Queen’s Bench and scheduled a preliminary inquiry. At preliminary inquiry we were successful in killing all but one of the charges – possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking. Consequently, P.C. was committed to stand trial at the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry and a four day trial scheduled in Queen’s Bench for early June, 2013. As matters turned out we managed to have this remaining charge completely withdrawn through ongoing negotiation with the prosecuting authorities.