The Crown sought a s. 752.1 assessment order following convictions for aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and breach of probation.
The court held that the assessment stage is a summary proceeding within the sentencing process and that the statutory threshold is low: whether there are reasonable grounds to believe the offender might be found to be a dangerous offender or long-term offender.
The court rejected the respondent’s submissions that the 2008 amendments enhanced the judicial gatekeeper role or required a higher evidentiary standard, and further held that the offender’s lengthy violent record could support a qualifying pattern under s. 753(1)(a)(i) or (ii).
Leave to file additional Crown materials was granted, and the assessment order was issued.
