Vancouver – On June 5-6, 2014, the BC Court of Appeal will hear arguments in R.  v. Joseph Ryan Lloyd. The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is an intervener in the case.

Mr. Lloyd was convicted in September 2013 of three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. As he had a previous conviction for a designated drug offence, Mr. Lloyd was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

In January 2014, a judge of the BC Provincial Court found that the mandatory minimum sentence of one year for possession for the purposes of trafficking is unconstitutional as a “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Crown appealed that judgment to the Court of Appeal.

The BCCLA is represented in this case by Matthew Nathanson of MN Law.

The BCCLA’s argument in this case is available here >>

What: BC Court of Appeal to hear oral arguments in R.  v. Joseph Ryan Lloyd
When: Oral arguments to begin on Thursday, June 5 at 10:00 am PST
Where: BC Court of Appeal (Vancouver, BC) in Courtroom 60
Who: Lawyer for the BCCLA available for comment

MEDIA CONTACT
Raji Mangat, BCCLA Counsel: (604) 779-7701 or raji@bccla.org