Part 1: Was Justice Served? Sentencing in an Impaired Driving Death

Mar 30

Written By Amanda Bickell

Episode 03: Mar 30, 2026

Click Here to Watch the Episode on YouTube

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 of
What “driving over 80” actually means
How Canadian sentencing principles (Criminal Code s. 718) guide decisions
Why punishment is NOT a sentencing principle in Canada
The role of denunciation and deterrence in impaired driving cases
Why driving is legally considered a privilege, not a right
How courts assess aggravating factors like extreme intoxication, dangerous driving, and prior behaviour
How case law shapes sentencing outcomes

You’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 designed

This 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: