Glossary
In Criminal Law
Reasonable grounds means that your belief about something is based on more than a feeling or suspicion. There must be reliable information to support your belief. And another person could also have that belief based on the information.
In Criminal Law
This is a type of release from custody. If you’ve been released from custody after a bail hearing, you will get a recognizance of bail. This document states the terms under which you have been released. It says when you must go to the court. It may also include conditions of your release. For example, you may be required to be home during certain hours. A recognizance requires you or your surety to pledge a specific amount of money as a security before you’re released.
In Criminal Law, Employment and Work, Human Rights, Refugee Law
A record suspension used to be called a pardon. If you have a criminal record, you may be able to apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension. If you get a record suspension, your criminal record is not erased. But it is set aside and you can say you do not have one.
There are rules about how long you have to wait to apply and what you need to show for your application to be successful.
In Criminal Law
Reporting conditions can be terms of a court order. If your court order includes reporting conditions, you have to report regularly to a specific person, such as a probation officer or a police officer.
In Criminal Law
A resolution is a way of handling a case without going to trial. For example, if you qualify for resolution:
- You may be offered diversion
- Your charges may be stayed or withdrawn.
- You may be required to make a charitable donation or do community service work.
- You may decide to plead guilty.
In Criminal Law
Restitution means you pay money for the financial loss or property damage you caused when you committed a crime.
In Criminal Law, Family Law, Housing Law
A restraining order is a court order that limits what a person can do in any way the family court thinks is appropriate to your situation. The order might limit where a person can go, or who they can contact or communicate with. For example, it can say one or more of these things:
- your partner cannot come within 500 metres of you and your children
- your partner cannot talk to or contact you or your children except through an agency or another person
- your partner cannot come within 500 metres of your home and work
In Criminal Law
The cost of hiring a lawyer privately. A lawyer usually requires a retainer fee to be paid before they begin working on your case.
In Criminal Law
A search warrant is an order from a court that lets the police search a specific place for specific items.