Chapter 4: Introduction to Criminal Law Flashcards
What is a crime?
any act that is prohibited by the crimanl code
What is the criminal code?
body of public law that defines crimes and prescribes punishments
What are the four conditions that need to be met for an act to be considered a crime?
- The action must be considered inmmoral
- The person’s action must cause harm
- The harm caused must be serious
- The person must be punished by the criminal justice system
What is crimininalize?
to make a beahviour a criminal offence in the criminal code
what is legalized?
to make an act completely legal
What is discrimination?
To make a behaviour that was illegal only punishable by fines.
What is procedural justice?
Fairness in the processes that resolves disputes
what is enact?
to pass a proposed law into legislation
What is amend?
To change existng legislation
Why is criminal law considered public law?
Because it concerns the actions of the government against an individual
What is the purpose of the criminal code?
It governs society by prohibting certain immoral acts
When might a criminal law be ruled unconstitutional?
If the court feel that the criminal code limit on a person’s behaviour has gone too far
What is the maximum penalty for summary conviction?
A fine 0f 2000 or 6 months in jail
What si the maximum penalty for indictable offences?
There is no statue of limitations
