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Glossary

undertaking

In Criminal Law

An undertaking is a piece of paper that an accused signs instead of being held for a bail hearing. Usually it will contain conditions you agree to comply with as part of your release from custody. If you don’t follow the conditions of your undertaking you can be charged with failing to comply.

undertaking to an officer in charge

In Criminal Law

After you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, a police officer may give you an “undertaking to an officer in charge”, along with a promise to appear. The undertaking to an officer in charge is also known as Form 11.1. It includes conditions similar to those required for bail. For example, you may be required to pledge up to $500 security before you are released.

unescorted temporary absence

In Criminal Law

Temporary absences are a type of release you might get if you’re serving a sentence in jail. Temporary absences may be escorted or unescorted. You might be allowed to have a temporary absence for:

  • work on a community service project
  • contact with family
  • personal development
  • medical reasons
unlawfully being at large

In Criminal Law

It is a criminal offence to not surrender into custody when you’re required to. For example, if you’re serving an intermittent sentence and you do not go back to jail on time, a warrant can be issued for your arrest, charging you with unlawfully being at large.

uttering threats

In Criminal Law, Types of Offences, Bail, Probation, and Court Attendance, Assault, Driving, Drugs, Firearms, Gender-based violence, Harassment, Mischief, Theft, Threats, Victims and witnesses

Uttering threats is a crime when someone threatens to harm or kill a person or animal, or damage or destroy property.

It can also be a crime to threaten someone to force them to do something, or not do something. This is called extortion.