Rick Tocchet Case Study

Defence Opening Statement R. v. Tocchet May it please the Court, that my client and the convicted, Rick Tocchet, has been found guilty of the crimes that he had allegedly committed during the events after game seven of the Stanley Cup finals in 2011. Moreover, my client has taken full responsibility for his actions as he has plead guilty to the accounts of theft under $5000, assault, arson, and participating in a riot. You have heard my learned friend explain the reasons in which he believes will provide my client with the harshest sentence possible, however, he has not told you of all the facts. Rick Tocchet is a hard-working young man from Vancouver. He lives with his mother and father and has a part-time job in order for him to pay for his post-secondary. Although, Rick is an active member in the society he has had a track record of poor attendance in school and often does not get along with his professors. A significant part of this behaviour is due to a history PTSD. As Tocchet was growing up, he was surrounded by alcoholics including both his mother and father which resulted in a difficult upbringing. In addition, he was subject …show more content…
Deepre, the accused had been convicted on the accounts of participating in a riot, theft under $5000, and arson. The accused was sentenced four months in custody, no probation or other conditions imposed. This was largely due to the fact that the his behaviour was “well into the middle or upper range of seriousness for offences”. Moreover, the judge found he was “expecting something to happen”. Although, the crimes Deepre committed were of the serious nature, the accused received a sentence that would not drastically change his life. On the other hand, it would strictly impose appropriate consequences that would mitigate the possibility of recidivism. The ability for a youth to rehabilitate and have his life drastically changed due to a momentary lapse of judgement is essential in the Canadian system of