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Everything You Need to Know About Indictable Offence Charges

Indictable Offence Charges

No matter the circumstances surrounding it or the penalties it carries, a criminal offence is serious and will give you a criminal record. Having a criminal record of any sort can negatively impact your life and you might encounter issues travelling, seeking work, gaining custody of children or even risk deportation if you are not a Canadian citizen. However, there are some crimes that are more severe than others, known as Indictable Offences. In this post, we explore what we mean by an Indictable Offence.

The Differences Between an Indictable, Hybrid and Summary Offence

Decisions on whether you are charged for an indictable offence or a summary offence is made by the Crown. They evaluate your case and determine what charge you will receive. There are several key differences between an indictable, a summary and a hybrid offence.

Summary offences typically refer to minor crimes or those with low impact. You might also find them listed as a ‘petty crime’, a crime that is not as serious as other types. Incidents such as theft of low value items, causing public disruption or trespassing are considered summary convictions, as well as breaking or breaching probation order if applicable. Penalties for summary convictions are limited to short prison sentences lasting up to 2 years and fines of up to $5,000.

In many cases, offences might be defined as hybrid offences. This is where the act can be treated as either a summary conviction or an indictable offence. Chosen by the Crown Prosecutor, hybrid offences tend to involve crimes linked to serious but low-impact crimes such as assault, fraud or theft. Hybrid offences carry a maximum sentence period of up to 18 months of imprisonment and fines.

Examples of Indictable Offence Charges

The most serious offence under Canada’s Criminal Code, Indictable Offence charges are given to severe crimes. Examples of indictable offence charges include:

  • Breaking and entering a property
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Terrorism
  • Trafficking
  • Aggravated Assault

Other crimes such as assault, fraud and theft might also be considered as indictable offences in certain cases.

Penalties for Indictable Offences

According to Canada’s Criminal Code, indictable offences are most commonly penalized through a lengthy or life imprisonment. From the date of their sentencing, the criminal could be imprisoned for up to 25 years without parole eligibility. They might also face hefty fines.

Have you been charged with an indictable offence in Toronto or the GTA?

If you have been charged with an indictable offence, or you suspect you might be, it is vital you seek professional legal help immediately. Facing this charge alone carries incredible risk and you could potentially face lifelong imprisonment if found guilty of a serious indictable offence.

Having a criminal defence lawyer by your side can make all the difference in securing a better future for yourself.

At What The Law, our criminal defence lawyers across Toronto and the Greater Toronto area believe everyone deserves the best defence possible. With many years of professional legal experience fighting indictable offence charges, we offer our dedicated legal support to you and your case. From your free consultation with us, you will receive complete transparency from us with 24/7 availability and flexible payment plans. Call or text us today and tell us what happened, we are here to help!

647-295-6499info@whatthelaw.com