R v. Smith (Canada)

R v. Smith (2010) is a Canadian Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of whether a mandatory minimum prison sentence for a crime was unconstitutional. The court found that mandatory minimums could violate an individual's rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms if they lead to cruel or unusual punishment. In this case, the court ruled that the minimum sentence for possession of a restricted firearm was too harsh, especially for first-time offenders, emphasizing the importance of considering individual circumstances in sentencing. This decision impacts how judges impose sentences for various offenses in Canada.