Criminal offenses Canada

Indictable offences are the most serious of criminal offences and would include murder, acts of terrorism, robbery, drug trafficking, treason, certain types of sexual assault, and other very serious criminal acts.  As one could imagine, the sentences for these types of offences are very serious and often carry a potential maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Anyone charged with these sorts of offences usually has the right to chose their mode of trial: judge alone in Provincial Court without a preliminary hearing, judge alone in Superior Court with or without a preliminary hearing, or a jury trial with or without a preliminary hearing.  However, not everyone who is facing an indictable offence is entitled to a preliminary hearing or a judge and jury trial (those exceptions are set out in section 553 of the Criminal Code).

The category of criminal offences that are subject to less formal and complex procedures. Summary conviction offences are tried by justices or provincial court judges. They are usually less serious crimes than indictable offences and carry lower penalties.

Hybrid offences are those offences where the Crown may choose to proceed by either indictment or summary conviction.  These types of offences cover the majority of Criminal Code of Canada offences.  They include, but are not limited to: assault, sexual assault, fraud under $5000.00, theft under $5000.00, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, possession of cocaine (simple possession), and many more.