Episode 03 - Was Justice Served? Sentencing in an Impaired Driving Death Part 1

On March 12, 2026, the man who killed Abbey was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison and a 7-year driving ban.After 967 days of waiting, the case was over.But instead of closure… there were more questions.In this first part of a two-episode series, Amanda takes you inside the courtroom to break down how sentencing for impaired driving causing death works in Canada—step by step.This episode focuses on the Crown’s arguments, explaining:What the offender was legally convicted ofWhat “driving over 80” actually meansHow Canadian sentencing principles (Criminal Code s. 718) guide decisionsWhy punishment is NOT a sentencing principle in CanadaThe role of denunciation and deterrence in impaired driving casesWhy driving is legally considered a privilege, not a rightHow courts assess aggravating factors like extreme intoxication, dangerous driving, and prior behaviourHow case law shapes sentencing outcomesYou’ll also hear the emotional reality behind the legal process:👉 Why understanding the system doesn’t always bring peace👉 Why “justice” feels complicated—even when the system works as designedThis episode offers a rare and powerful perspective:A victim’s family member explaining the legal reasoning behind a sentence they must live with.If you’ve ever asked:Why are impaired driving sentences in Canada so low?How do judges decide sentencing in impaired driving causing death cases?Does the justice system truly deter impaired driving?This episode will give you answers—and raise important new questions.⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses impaired driving, traumatic loss, and graphic injury.🎧 The Next Episode, will cover the defence arguments, the judge’s decision, and whether justice was truly served.📚 ReferencesCanada, Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46 (ss. 718, 320.12)https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-121.htmlhttps://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-46.html#h-121299R v Suter, 2018 SCC 34https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2018/2018scc34/2018scc34.htmlR v Macleod, 2022 BCPC 297https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcpc/doc/2022/2022bcpc297/2022bcpc297.htmlR v MacMunn, 2025 ONSC 5884https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2025/2025onsc5884/2025onsc5884.htmlBC Motor Vehicle Act, s.148(1)https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_05#section148🔎 Keywordsimpaired driving Canada, DUI sentencing Canada, impaired driving causing death, criminal code sentencing Canada, drunk driving laws Canada, victim impact justice, deterrence vs punishment, Canadian court sentencing, DUI fatal crash Canada, justice system explained