R v Oickle
R v Oickle, 2000 SCC 38 is a leading case decided by the Supreme Court of Canada on the common law rule for confessions. Though the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ("Charter") remains in force for confessions made while in custody, the common law rule still applies in all circumstances. The majority outlined factors to determine whether a confession is voluntary. Background Richard Oickle was under investigation by police for a series of fires. He voluntarily underwent a polygraph test. The police told him he had failed and began to question him. He eventually confessed to starting the fires. Oickle was told he was under arrest and brought to the police station for further questioning. He was put in a cell near 3am, around nine hours after his confession. The police talked to him again at 6am asking him to provide a re-enactment, which he did. At trial, he was convicted of arson. The Court of Appeal found that the confession was inadmissible and overturned the conviction. After review by the Supreme Court of Canada, Iacobucci J, writing for the majority, found the confession was admissible. Reasons of the court Iacobucci J, writing for the majority, found that the