Self-defence, duress, necessity, consent, automatism and not criminally responsible — the cases where the act is admitted and the fight is over whether the law excuses it.
The Videotaped Complaint2006R v Khelawon — Aggravated assault (s. 268) · Supreme Court of Canada (Ontario)
The Broken Guitar2019R v Ruddick — Aggravated assault (s. 268(1) Criminal Code) · Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
The Driver at Gunpoint1977Paquette v The Queen — Non-capital murder, as a party under s. 21(2) (then s. 218; now s. 235) · Supreme Court of Canada (Ontario)
The Mushrooms and the Stranger's House2022R v Brown — Break and enter and committing aggravated assault (ss. 348(1)(b), 268) · Supreme Court of Canada (Alberta)
The Carving Knife2025R v McCrae — Possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace (s. 88(1)) · Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Injection1993R v Creighton — Manslaughter by way of an unlawful act (ss. 222(5)(a), 234, 236) · Supreme Court of Canada (Ontario)
Three Packages and a Threat2001R v Ruzic — Importing a narcotic (then s. 5(1), Narcotic Control Act; now s. 6, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) and use of a false passport (s. 368) · Supreme Court of Canada (Ontario)
The Fight in the Parking Lot1991R v Jobidon — Manslaughter by way of an unlawful act, namely assault (ss. 265, 222(5)(a), 234) · Supreme Court of Canada (Ontario)
The Man in the Green Coat2025R v Buchanan — Possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition (s. 95), possession without a registration certificate, carrying a concealed weapon (s. 90) · Supreme Court of British Columbia
Another Planet2011R v Bouchard-Lebrun — Aggravated assault (s. 268) and assault (s. 266) · Supreme Court of Canada (Quebec)
The Chokehold at the Party2024R v Hodgson — Second degree murder (s. 235) and the included offence of manslaughter (s. 236) · Supreme Court of Canada (Nunavut)
The Men Who Were Not There2024R v Vivian — Intentional discharge of a restricted firearm (s. 244.2(3)) and possession offences · Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Threat in the Range2004R v Kerr — Possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace (s. 88) · Supreme Court of Canada (Alberta)
From the Porch2026R v Munroe — Reckless discharge of a restricted or prohibited firearm (s. 244.2) · Court of Appeal for Ontario
A new real Canadian case every day. Read the brief, weigh the Crown against the defence, commit to a verdict, then see what the court decided — and why.