Given that judges (at least the ones on TV) are quick to holler “order in the court” when things start to get out of hand, one could be forgiven for thinking that proceedings at Jasper Provincial Court generally follow the straight and narrow. While that’s usually a safe assumption, last Thursday (April 13) one man stole the limelight by making a sharp left at Cut-up Corner and taking a short run down Amateur Comedian Alley. 

Denis Potvin, facing a simple possession charge for less than 30 grams of marijuana, gave no early indication of being a struggling stand-up man in disguise, pleading guilty to the charge.

It was when Judge Donald Norheim began to ask Potvin the normal series of questions, following the entry of a guilty plea, that those in attendance began to understand that this would be no routine fine and farewell. A discombobulated Potvin was clearly uncertain as to why his desire to plead guilty was being queried, and expressed that self-same sentiment to Norheim, who, to wide smiles and quiet chuckling, explained that he was merely following procedure. Temporarily placated, Potvin listened impassively as Provincial Crown Prosecutor Bob Marr described the circumstances of the accused’s arrest.

Potvin, it seems, had been travelling in a vehicle with friends when they asked a man if he would be interested in purchasing some marijuana. To Potvin’s great misfortune, it transpired that the would-be purchaser was in fact a local off-duty RCMP officer, who quickly informed his fellow officers. Shortly thereafter, a search of the vehicle revealed 12 glass pipes, slightly more than 30 grams of weed, and a set of weigh scales.

Having already pled guilty, Potvin suggested that the marijuana had not been his alone. When asked why he had not revealed this fact to police at the scene, Potvin responded “I’m no backstabber. I wouldn’t do that to my friends.”

After this unique insight into the mindset of petty criminals, Norheim proceeded to question Potvin as to his employment status.

“I’m living off my girlfriend, actually,” said the funnyman, as discernable laughter was heard from the front row of lawyers and court officials.

“You sound like a very enterprising young man,” Norheim responded, wearing the faintest hint of a smile and sentencing Potvin to pay a $500 fine, $150 to be paid that very day.

Showcasing his canny business sense, Potvin quickly asked how many days behind bars he would have to serve in lieu of the fine. Having heard that he would spend a mere 192 hours in a remand centre, Potvin requested that he be able to take this option.

“It’s just the RC,” he said with palpable glee, as an incredulous Norheim looked on. However, Potvin’s pleasure was shortlived as he discovered that he would have to serve that time in Edmonton, and not in his native Grande Prairie.

“They have three people to a bunk in Edmonton, I hear,” quipped Federal Crown Prosecutor Vaughn Myers, as even the armed guards joined in the laughter. Hearing this bit of bad news, Potvin resigned himself to paying the fine and left the courtroom.