Nearly 13 years after police charged Aaron Floyd Lavallee with several offences in Moose Jaw — including impaired driving — the Lestock-area man returned to The Friendly City to conclude his outstanding issues.
Lavallee, 66, appeared by phone in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, where he pleaded guilty to impaired driving and failing to attend court. As part of a joint sentence, he received a fine of $600 and a two-year driving ban for his first charge and a fine of $75 for his second offence.
The Crown stayed one charge and withdrew another.
Moose Jaw police were on patrol on Sept. 28, 2008, when they came across Lavallee around 12:31 a.m., Crown prosecutor Stephen Yusuff said while discussing the facts.
Officers found the man sleeping in the front seat of his van with the vehicle off. When they asked him to step out, they found that Lavallee was unsteady on his feet, had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and had to use the van to stand while talking with police.
“The sentencing on this issue is a bit more complicated given the historical nature of the offence,” Yusuff continued. A fine for impaired driving 13 years ago would have been roughly $600. Furthermore, Lavallee has a long record of charges for impaired driving. However, the Crown has decided to proceed as if this is the first offence.
“His personal circumstances are quite unusual and mitigating,” Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson said while speaking about her client.
These offences are from some time ago. One reason they weren’t dealt with sooner is that Lavallee moved to Fort McMurray to work and didn’t acquire any further charges, she continued.
However, he returned to Saskatchewan in 2016 because of health issues, Jeanson continued. He lives with his parents near Lestock.
“Financially, he is in a crippled position. He is not cleared to work. He would like to but can’t … ,” she said, adding Lavallee needs six months to pay his fines while he should be exempt from having to pay the victim surcharge.
Judge Daryl Rayner accepted the joint submission and waived the surcharge.
Moose Jaw provincial court next meets on May 18.
The Provincial Court section holds articles that have been written without prejudice with the information that has been presented in a public court of appeal available to the media and public.
