lockdown

When a correctional facility is on lockdown, it means that prisoners must stay in their cells. Lockdowns can happen during an emergency, or as a result of staff shortages or riots.

pre-trial custody

If you're charged with a crime and spend time in jail, the time you spend in jail before being found guilty is called pre-trial custody. If you're convicted of a crime and sentenced, the judge may give you credit for your time in pre-trial custody. This means that your sentence could be reduced by a certain amount for every day you were in...

aggravating factors

Aggravating factors are circumstances or facts that a judge can consider they are deciding your sentence. Aggravating factors can result in a tougher sentence. For example, assaulting a domestic partner or child can be an aggravating factor. The Crown must prove aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt.

mitigating factors

Mitigating factors are circumstances or facts that a judge can consider when they are deciding your sentence. Mitigating factors can result in a lighter sentence. For example, not having a criminal record can be a mitigating factor.

plea inquiry

A plea inquiry is a series of questions that you must answer before you can plead guilty. The purpose of the plea inquiry is to show the judge that:

• you are pleading guilty voluntarily and that no one has pressured or forced you to plead guilty
• you understand what it means to plead guilty, for example, that you are giving up your...

Ontario Review Board

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.

mens rea

Mens rea is one of the two elements of a crime the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to prove your guilt. If refers to your guilty state of mind.

For most crimes, the state of mind required is either you intended to do the act or you were reckless about the effect of your act. It does not matter if you did not know the act was...

actus reus

Actus reus is one of the two elements of a crime the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to prove your guilt. It refers to the guilty act.

There are two ways you can commit a guilty act. You can:

• do something that is against the law, or
• fail to do something required by the law

conditional sentence

A conditional sentence is a type of sentence that you might get if you're convicted of a crime. If you get a conditional sentence, you do not go to jail. Instead, you serve time in the community on house arrest.

suspended sentence

A suspended sentence is a type of sentence that you might get after you're convicted of a crime. If you get a suspended sentence, you will:

• be on probation for up to 3 years,
• have a permanent criminal record, and
• not have to go to jail as part of your sentence