1. Criminal Law

2. Need for Criminal Law Helps to keep order in society
Penalties for crimes help to deter people from committing crimes
The Criminal Code reflects the values of society by declaring certain actions to be criminal
Parliament (federal) has the power to decide which actions were crimes and to set punishments for crimes

3. Criminal Actions
Conditions for an act to be subject to criminal penalties:
Must harm other people
Must violate the basic values of society
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

4. The Criminal Code Main source of criminal law in Canada
Other crimes are outlined in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act
Parliament is always reforming the Criminal Code to meet the needs of Canadian society

5. Types of Criminal Offences
Summary Conviction Offences:
Minor criminal offences
Those accused can be arrested and summoned to court without delay
Maximum penalty under the CCC is $2,000 and/or six months in jail
Examples include: All provincial statutes (i.e. motor vehicle accidents), making indecent phone calls, loitering, causing a disturbance, cruelty to animals

6. Types of Criminal Offences
Indictable Offences:
These are serious crimes that carry more severe penalties
The CCC sets a max. penalty for each offence, can be up to life imprisonment
Trial judge decides the penalty
Examples include: Murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, theft over $5000, etc.

7. Types of Criminal Offences
Indictable Offences:
For offences with a maximum penalty of less than five years, the trial will be heard in Provincial Court or the Supreme Court before a judge alone.
For offences with a maximum penalty over five years, the accused can be tried by judge and jury or judge alone.
The most serious indictable offences, such as murder and treason, must be tried in Supreme Court.

8. Types of Criminal Offences
Hybrid Offences:
Crown attorney has the right to proceed summarily, and impose a less severe penalty, or proceed by indictment
For example, if theft occurs over $5000, but is a first time offense, the crown may wish to proceed summarily
Usually summary on a first offence or a mild instance, but raised to indictable on a second or more aggravated set of allegations.