Glossary
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
Harassing communications are when someone harasses a person on purpose by repeatedly communicating with them, for example, by phone, text message, or mail.
To harass someone means to behave in a way that repeatedly torments, troubles, or disturbs them. The behaviour often makes them feel intimidated and uncomfortable. Harassing behaviour is more serious than annoying behaviour.
In Criminal Law
A hearing is a formal proceeding that takes place in a courtroom. During the proceeding, evidence and arguments are presented. A judge or justice of the peace makes a decision based on the evidence and arguments.
In Criminal Law
When your case is held down it means that the court has not finished addressing it. The court will come back to your case at some point later that day. You must not leave the courthouse if your case is being held down. You must return to the courtroom that day to finish it or adjourn your case to the next court date.
In Criminal Law
The Highway Traffic Act includes Ontario’s laws related to traffic, highways, and other issues related to transportation.
In Criminal Law
House arrest is a type of sentence that you might get if you’re convicted of a crime, or as a condition of your bail. This means you usually cannot leave your house, except for emergencies or if the court has ordered exceptions, for example, for you to go to work or school.
Most criminal offences are “hybrid” offences. This means the Crown uses the specific facts of each case to decide if to prosecute the case as a summary offence or as an indictable offence:
- Summary offences are considered less serious. They go to the Ontario Court of Justice where the court process is simpler and faster. There is never a jury. A judge decides the case on their own. The maximum sentence is 2 years in jail, or a $5,000 fine, or both.
- Indictable offences are considered more serious. They go to the Superior Court of Justice where the court process is more complicated and takes longer. Some cases are decided by a jury and some by a judge. The maximum sentence is often longer than 2 years in jail.
The youth court process and youth sentences are different.
In Criminal Law
Impaired driving is a crime. The law says that someone is impaired if their ability to drive is affected by alcohol or a drug.
Most criminal offences are “hybrid” offences. This means the Crown uses the specific facts of each case to decide if to prosecute the case as a summary offence or as an indictable offence:
- Summary offences are considered less serious. They go to the Ontario Court of Justice where the court process is simpler and faster. There is never a jury. A judge decides the case on their own. The maximum sentence is 2 years in jail, or a $5,000 fine, or both.
- Indictable offences are considered more serious. They go to the Superior Court of Justice where the court process is more complicated and takes longer. Some cases are decided by a jury and some by a judge. The maximum sentence is often longer than 2 years in jail.
The youth court process and youth sentences are different.
In Criminal Law
Most criminal offences are “hybrid” offences. This means the Crown uses the specific facts of each case to decide if to prosecute the case as a summary offence or as an indictable offence:
- Summary offences are considered less serious. They go to the Ontario Court of Justice where the court process is simpler and faster. There is never a jury. A judge decides the case on their own. The maximum sentence is often 2 years less a day in jail, or a $5,000 fine, or both.
- Indictable offences are considered more serious. They usually go to the Superior Court of Justice where the court process is more complicated and takes longer. Some cases are decided by a jury and some by a judge. The maximum sentences range from 2 years to 14 years in prison.
The youth court process and youth sentences are different.