CHPT 4 Definitions

Question 1

Criminal Code

Answer 1

The body of public law that defines crimes and prescribes punishments.

Question 2

Criminal Offence

Answer 2

An action, omission, or state of being that is considered a crime, as defined in the criminal code or other criminal statute.

Question 3

Criminalize

Answer 3

To make a behavior a criminal offense in the Criminal Code or other criminal statute.

Question 4

Decriminalize

Answer 4

To make a behavior that was illegal only punishable by fines.

Question 5

Legalize

Answer 5

To make an act completely legal by removing it from the criminal code or other criminal statute.

Question 6

Procedural Justice

Answer 6

Fairness in the processes that resolve disputes.

Question 7

Impartiality

Answer 7

A principle that judicial decisions should be based on objective criteria and be free from bias or conflicts of interest.

Question 8

Enact

Answer 8

To pass a proposed law into legislation.

Question 9

Amend

Answer 9

to change existing legislation(laws)

Question 10

Summary Conviction Offense

Answer 10

A minor criminal offense with less severe punishments, which is usually tried soon after the charge is laid (summarily) without a preliminary hearing or jury.

Question 10

Prosecute

Answer 10

To initiate and carry out a legal action.

Question 11

Hybrid offence

Answer 11

A criminal offence proceeding by way of a summary conviction or an indictable offence; the Crown decides which way to proceed.

Question 11

Indictable Offense

Answer 11

A serious criminal offense with a severe penalty, proceeding by way of a formal court document called an indictment.

Question 11

Statute of Limitations

Answer 11

A time limit imposed by law within which a specific action must be taken.

Question 12

Actus Reus

Answer 12

A Latin phrase meaning “a wrongful deed”; the physical or guilty act, omission, or state of being that constitutes a crime.

Question 13

Mens Rea

Answer 13

A Latin phrase meaning “a guilty mind”; the mental elements of one’s criminal actions.

Question 14

Criminal State Of Mind

Answer 14

Means if you commit an act such as assault without intending to do so while you are committing another crime you are still guilty. For example, if I accidently knock someone over while running after committing theft causing them injury, I am still guilty as I had a criminal state of mind.

Question 14

Intent

Answer 14

The state of the mind of a person who commits an action deliberately and on purpose.

Question 15

Willful Blindness

Answer 15

The act of deliberately choosing to ignore certain facts or information.

Question 16

Recklessness

Answer 16

A state of acting carelessly without regard for the consequences of one’s actions.

Question 17

Criminal Negligence

Answer 17

Wanton and reckless disregard for the lives and safety of other people.

Question 18

Knowlege

Answer 18

Knowledge is sufficient mens rea for a criminal conviction. For example, if someone uses a credit card knowing its cancelled, they can be charged with the indictable offense of fraud.

Question 19

Motive

Answer 19

The reason for committing a certain act.

Question 20

Attempt

Answer 20

An act done with the intent to commit a criminal offense but without success.

Question 21

Conspiracy

Answer 21

An agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act.

Question 22

Aiding

Answer 22

Assisting someone to commit a criminal offense.

Question 23

Abetting

Answer 23

Encouraging or urging another person to commit a crime.

Question 24

Accessory After the fact

Answer 24

Someone who knows that a crime has been committed and who helps the person who committed the crime to hide or escape from police.

Question 25

Organized crime

Answer 25

A group of three or more people that defies authority and engages in criminal activity.