Glossary
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.
In Criminal Law
Parole is a conditional release from jail. Parole allows you to serve part of your sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer and with conditions. If you don’t follow the conditions of your parole, the Parole Board of Canada can take away your parole and send you back to jail.
In Criminal Law
This is a court facilitated counselling program for domestic related offenders. If you have been charged with an offence against your spouse, common-law partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend, you may be eligible to enter into the PAR program. The program helps offenders to understand and avoid behaviour that leads to violence and encourages healthy relationships.
Sometimes the Crown will offer to resolve your charges by way of a peace bond upon successful completion of this program.
Sometimes you will be ordered to complete this program as part of a sentence on domestic related charges.
In Abuse and Family Violence, Criminal Law, Family Law, Housing Law, Refugee Law
A peace bond is a court order from a criminal court that requires a person to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour”. The peace bond may also contain other conditions the person must follow. For example, the person may be required to follow a “no contact” condition.
In Criminal Law
Perjury is the criminal offence of lying when questioned under oath in court or when making a sworn statement.