Glossary

In Criminal Law

This is a criminal offence. If you try to stop or affect the administration of justice, you can be charged with the criminal offence of “obstructing justice”. An example of obstructing justice is paying a person to act as a surety for you.

In Criminal Law

This is a criminal offence. If you try to stop a police officer from lawfully doing their job, you can be charged with the criminal offence of “obstructing a peace officer”.

In Criminal Law

An offence is something that is against the law. The Criminal Code lists criminal offences. There are other types of offences that are not criminal offences, such as not wearing your seatbelt.

In Criminal Law

This is a written record of what is said in court by the Crown, the defence lawyer, the judge, the accused and others (witnesses and court staff) who may be testifying or asked to speak. It will be in the transcript of the proceeding.

In Criminal Law

The Ontario Court of Justice is a provincial court that deals with matters related to family law and criminal law, as well as other provincial laws such as the Highway Traffic Act.

In Criminal Law

The Ontario Review Board deals with people who have been found not criminally responsible of a crime or unfit to stand trial because of a mental disorder.

In Criminal Law

You can be released from custody without a surety on your “own recognizance”. When you sign your own recognizance of bail, you promise to pay the court money if you fail to follow the conditions of your recognizance. This type of release is a step up the ladder from an undertaking. It is a step down the ladder from using the bail program, or a surety.