CRIM 2260

Consists of conduct that is prohibited because it is considered to have an "evil or injurious or undesireable effect upon the public" & penalty that may be imposed if the prohibition is violated

Often less serious in nature and may only be tried before a provincial court judge

The most serious criminal offences

Accused is the person against whom a criminal charge has been laid

offences that represent a serious breach of of community values and are considered to be both wrong and deserving of punishment

offence arising under regulatory legistlation (federal/provincial/territorial/municipal)

Refers to reg. offences opposed to true crimes

Main source of law. including statutes and case law in the Canadian legal system

• Primary sources of criminal law are:
• 1. Legistlation
• 2. Judicial decisions that either interpret such legistlation or state the "common law"

Legistlation that defines the nature of various criminal offences and specifies the various legal elements that must be present before a conviction can be enetered agaianst an accused person

Legistlation that specifies  the procedures to be followed in the prosecution of a criminal case and defines the nature and scope of the powers of criminal justice officials.

covers any wilful conduct on the part of the accused that tends to interfere with the proper administration of justice or to bring it into disrepute

• Legal systsme inherited from England
• Doctrine stare decisis trequires courts to apply principles from those cases highest in the court heirachy

Indicates which party is responsible for proving certain facts in a trial