1. CRIMINAL LAW

2. WHICH ACTIONS/ BEHAVIOURS CAN YOU THINK OF THAT EVERYONE CONDEMNS?

3. WHAT IS CRIMINAL LAW? PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL LAW
A body of jurisprudence that includes the definition of various crimes, the specifications of various penalties, a set of general principles concerning criminal responsibility, and a series of defences to a criminal charge
PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL LAW
_________________

4. WHO MAKES THE RULES? Through legislative process
Some crimes reflect an almost universal social consensus that certain conduct is wrong
______________ try to bring criminal law in line with emerging community notions of crime and justice
_________________are required to enforce the existing criminal law, regardless of their own personal views
Laws are constantly ________, __________ and __________ as political and social change occurs

5. Examine the following offences
Examine the following offences. Do you agree that they are a criminal offence?
Soliciting for the purpose of illicit sexual intercourse
Selling pornographic books and videos
Pirating computer software
Euthanasia
Abortion
Possessing marijuana
Dangerous driving
Causing a disturbance by swearing in a public place

6. __________+ ___________= ____________
Elements of a Crime
A act must have two components to be considered a crime:
Actus Reus: Latin for “guilty act”
-It is the physical element of committing a crime
-May be accomplished by an action, threat of action or by an omission to act
Mens Rea: Latin for “guilty mind”
-Mens Rea exists if the offence is committed with:
a) intent or knowledge
b) recklessness
__________+ ___________= ____________

7. Conditions for an act to be subject to criminal penalties
Must _________________
Must _____________________
Using the law to deal with the action must not violate the basic values of society
Criminal law can make a significant contribution to resolving the problem

8. 3 TYPES OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES
______________________________:
Minor criminal offences
People accused of these can be summoned to court without delay
Maximum penalty under criminal code = $2000 and/or 6 months in jail

9. 3 TYPES OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES CONT…
_______________________:
Serious crimes that carry more severe penalties
Criminal code sets maximum penalty for each offence
(e.g. 25 yrs for some offences)
Some offences have minimum penalty
(e.g. $600 to 5 years for impaired driving)
Trial judge decides the penalty

10. 3 TYPES OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES CONT…
___________________:
Offences for which the Crown attourney has the right to proceed summarily and impose a less severe punishment, or proceed by indictment.
E.g. theft, assault, extortion, etc...