A client of our firm was charged with committing an indecent act in a public place in the presence of others, in violation of Section 173(1) of the Criminal Code.
Heavily intoxicated by alcohol after a drunken party at a well-known restaurant in the city of Québec, our client, along with her new partner, spontaneously decided to have sex in an alley near the restaurant.
Unfortunately, there were around ten employees who were outside at the time who saw the scene and called the police.
Upon arrival, the police officers arrested our client and her partner.
Our client had no criminal record, but she had already received two discharges in the past for drug- and shoplifting-related offences.
As part of her job, she had to travel all over the world, and a criminal record could put an end to her career.
The stakes were therefore very high.
During her court appearance, we entered a plea of not guilty, and the case was postponed several times for nearly two years.
After long negotiations with the prosecution, they agreed to withdraw the charge and issued a ticket under a municipal bylaw.
Our client paid the ticket, and the charge was withdrawn a month later.
Our client could therefore keep her job and remain without a criminal record