Intoxication can be violent crime defense, Canada supreme court rules

People accused of violent crimes such as homicide and sexual assault can use self-induced extreme intoxication as a defense

Canada's supreme court has ruled that defendants accused of violent crimes such as homicide and sexual assault can use self-induced extreme intoxication as a defense, striking down a federal law supported by women's advocacy groups.

The supreme court said on Friday a law passed by parliament in 1995 that prohibits the defense was unconstitutional and violates the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.