Woman violated house arrest to take mom to church

by Andy Campbell

Mar 13, 2008

SUNDRIDGE – A Burk's Falls woman found herself back in court on March 4, after violating the terms of her house arrest in January.

In early January, Sherri Campbell, 43, was confined to her property for six months as a result of a drug conviction in Bracebridge. The order, issued by Justice Evans, allows for work, grocery shopping and appointments. It makes no provision for driving her mother to church, which someone saw her doing on Jan. 27.

Campbell's attorney explained that she lives in an old family cottage with her 92-year-old mother.

“This family cottage is sufficiently isolated that the road to it isn't maintained year-round,” he said, noting that church is important to Campbell's mother, and she tried to contact her probation officer about it.

As she has spent 27 days in custody since the incident, the defence recommended no further penalty.

Crown attorney Ted Carlton disagreed, pointing out that for court orders to have meaning, there must be significant penalties for breaching them. Campbell breached hers in under three weeks.

“There has to be a message to her personally, and to the public at large,” he said.

Justice Lawrence Klein asked Campbell to explain herself, noting that the conditions of her release left no room for misinterpretation.

“Justice Evans' order is about as specific as those orders get,” he said. “I'm going to steal this order and use it myself.”

Campbell said that there is usually someone who drives her mother to church. That person didn't show up on Jan. 27. So, she took a chance.

“I realize it was a big mistake,” she said. “It means a lot to my mother.”

Klein told Campbell that a conditional sentence is for her benefit. It's an alternative to jail that allows her to work and take care of her mother. Many people do not approve of this. When someone does not abide by the terms of their sentence, it becomes more difficult for judges to justify using this option.

“Not only are you screwing it up for yourself,” he said. “You're screwing it up for everybody else who might be eligible.”

Klein sentenced Campbell to time served and sent her home to serve the rest of her sentence, which was suspended while she was in custody.