TYPES OF OFFENCES

CLU3M Criminal Law

Quasi-Criminal Law
Offences under provincial jurisdiction- not officially crimes Liquor Licence Act Highway Traffic act violations Tried in provincial courts Breaking these laws is usually a fine

Summary Offences
Minor offences with less severe penalties $2000 and/or 6 months in prison Dealt with quickly and simply- no jury only a judge Accused does not necessarily have to appear in court Theft under $5000

Indictable Offences
Serious crimes with severe penalties The Code established the maximum punishments (2

years to life)
Sometimes the Code indicates a minimum penalty as well Method of the court varies with each punishment Option of jury in some cases, mandatory in others

Hybrid Offences
The Crown can decide to try these cases as either

summary or indictable
The Code always makes it clear when the offences is

hybrid or not by stating it can treated either way

The Crown chooses- therefore they always start as

indictable
The Crown has to take in a large amount of information to

decide which path to choose