1. The Role of Judges in Criminal Law Image via insidesocal.com

2. Judges must interpret laws passed by Parliament or by the provincial Legislatures and decide how to apply the law to a specific case before the court. The Role of Judges in Criminal Law Image via insidesocal.com

3. Judges have the power to decide whether a law is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If the law is not consistent, the judge has the power to strike down the law The Role of Judges in Criminal Law Image via insidesocal.com

4. Types of Criminal Offences Image via insidesocal.comjvaudio.vox.com

5. Types of Criminal Offences There are three types of criminal offences: 1- Summary Conviction Offences 2- Indictable Offences 3- Hybrid or Dual Procedure Offences

6. Types of Criminal Offences The type of offence determines: 1- The power of arrest for a citizen or police 2- The rights of the accused 3- How the trial will proceed 4- What penalty will be imposed

7. Summary Conviction Offences These are minor offences for which an accused can be arrested or summoned to court without delay.

8. Summary Conviction Offences Maximum penalty for most summary offences is $2000 and/or 6 month is jail.

9. Summary Conviction Offences In the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the maximum penalty for a summary offence is $2000 and/or 1 year in jail.

10. All provincial quasi criminal offences are summary offences. Provincial penalties vary from small fines to imprisonment. There is a 6 month limitation period for the laying of a charge for a summary offence. Summary Conviction Offences

11. The accused may send a representative to trial instead of appearing personally although a judge may require the accused to appear in person. Summary Conviction Offences

12. For some quasi-criminal offences, the accused can plead guilty by signing the guilty plea on the ticket. If the accused wants to plead not guilty they must appear in person. Summary Conviction Offences

13. Examples: communicating for the purpose of obtaining the sexual services of a prostitute, causing a disturbance, and harassing telephone calls. Summary Conviction Offences