Definitions Flashcards
The crown
The prosecution
Summary conviction offences
A crime that is considered less serious and carries a lighter penalty
Indictable offences
A crime that is more serious than a summary conviction and carries a heavier penalty
Hybrid or dual procedure offences
An offence that the crown can try either as a summary or indictable offences
Arrest
To restrain someone’s liberty, indication clearly that they are not free to leave, so that they may answer a charge against them
Warrant
Authority to arrest a person or produce evidence
Reasonable grounds
One’s belief about something is based on more than a feeling or suspicion
Writ of habeas corpus
Document compelling the person who was served, to be brought before the court, allowing the detention to be adjudicated on
Adjudicated
Make a formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter
Fit to stand trail
The ability of an accused person to understand the nature of the charges against him and to participate in his defence
The perpetrator
The person who actually commits the crimes
Party to an offence
Those people who are indirectly
Aiding
A criminal offence that involves helping a perpetrator commit a crime
Abetting
The crime of encouraging the perpetrator to commit an offence
Counselling
A crime that involves advising, recommending, or persuading another person to commit an offence
Accessory After the Fact
Someone who knowingly receives comforts, or assists a perpetrator in escaping from the police
Attempt
The intention to commit a crime, even when the crime is not completed
Conspiracy
An agreement between two or more people carry out an illegal act, even if that act does not actually occur
Crime scene
The site where the offence took place
Center
The area in which the offence was actually committed
Perimeter
The areas surrounding the center, where the offender may have been present or may have left evidence
Contamination
The loss, destruction, or alteration of physical evidence
Police log
A written record of what an officer has witnessed
Physical evidence
Any object, impression, or body element that can be used to prove or disprove facts relating to an offence
Forensic science
The use of biochemical and other scientific techniques to analyze evidence in a criminal investigation
Impressions
Patterns or marks found on surfaces and caused by various objects
Class characteristics
The general attributes of an object
Individual characteristics
The specific and unique features of an object
Fingerprint
A mark left behind after a fingertip touches an object
Detention
Legally depriving a person of liberty for the purpose of asking question, with or without physical restraint
Reasonble grounds
Information that. would lead to a reasonable person to conclude that the suspect had committed a criminal offence
Appearance notice
A legal document, usually issued for less serious offences, compelling an accused person to appear in court
Chain of custody
The witnessed, written record of the people who maintained unbroken control over an item of evidence
Bench warrant
An arrest warrant issued directly by the judge when an accused person fails to appear in court
Summons
A legal document issued fir an indictable offence ordering an accused person to appear in court
Search warrant
A court document that gives the police the right to search a specific location
Bail
The temporary release of an accused who posts money or some other security
Reverse onus
The burden of proof shifts to the defence
Homicide
The killing of another human being, directly or indirectly
Culpable homicide
A killing for which the accused can be held legally responsible
Non-culpable homicide
A killing for which person cannot be held legally responsible
Murder
The intentional killing of another human
First-degree murder
A killing that is planned and deliberate, is the re-suit of a contract, causes the death of a peace officer, or is committed during another serious crime
Second-degree murder
Any murder not classified as first-degree murder
Infanticide
The killing of a newborn infant by the child’s mother
Manslaughter
Any culpable homicide not classified as murder or infanticide
Assault
Threatened or actual physical contact without consent
Aggravated assult
Wounding maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of a victim
Sexual assult
Touching of a sexual nature that is not invited or consensual
Sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party, or causing bodily harm
A form of sexual assault that involves the use of weapons, threats, or physical injury
Aggravated sexual assault
Sexual assault that involves wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of a victim
Theft
Taking property permanently or temporarily, without the owner’s permission
Breaking and entering
Breaking or opening something in order to enter the premises without permission with the intent to commit an indictable offence
Robbery
The theft of personal property through violence or the threat of violence
Mishieft
Wilfully destroying or damaging property or data, interfering with any person in the lawful use of property or data
Fraud
Intentionally deceiving someone in order to cause a loss of property, money, or service
Prostitution
The act of engaging in sexual services for money
Possession
The state of having knowledge of and control over something
Trafficking
A criminal offence that involves selling, giving, transporting, or distributing a controlled substance or an authorization for a controlled substance
Money laundering
Transferring cash or other property to conceal its illegal origin
The judge
The court official appointed to try cases in a court of law and to sentence convicted persons
The defence
The lawyer who defends an accused person on trial
The prosecution
The lawyer representing the government, responsible for initiating legal proceedings against the accused
Witness
Persons who give evidence while under oath in a court of law
The jury
In criminal trial, a group of 12 people who decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty
