Criminal law involves acts that violate federal law and are seen as an offence against the state. Criminal charges are complex and include impaired driving, fraud, domestic assault, and murder.
There are two types of criminal offences to consider:
Summary Conviction: A summary conviction is a minor case, which could include disturbing the peace, solicitation, and trespassing. These offences typically carry a maximum jail sentence of six months or a significant fine.
Indictable Offence: An indictable offence is the most serious conviction an individual could face under the Canadian criminal code. These types of offences include theft over five thousand dollars, assault and battery, and murder. The punishment for these offences can vary depending on the severity of the case and the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Civic law is a private case, also known as a suit or action, where one individual sues another. A civil suit often begins when individuals or corporations disagree over a legal issue, including contract breaches, property ownership, medical malpractice, personal injury, and defamation. If a civil case goes to trial, the defendant could face monetary fines or an injunction.