Criminal Law Concepts Quiz

Accessory

• Someone who, having knowledge, assists in the commission of a crime.

Actus Reus

• The illegal act that must be proven for someone to be found guilty of a crime.

Administrative Law

• Concerns itself with legal rights, obligations, and entitlements.

Arrest

• The act of taking a person into custody.

Automatism

• The performance of actions without conscious thought or intent.
• This is like sleepwalking, for example.

Bail

• A court order releasing an accused person from custody while they await trial or appeal.
• Requires the accused to obey certain conditions while in the community.
• Sometimes includes a money deposit.

Burden of Proof

• The legal standard that requires parties to provide evidence to support their claims in court.

Civil Law

• A body of law that outlines rules for settling disputes between individuals.

Conspiracy

• An agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal act.
• This also requires intent to achieve the agreement's goal.

Constitutional Law

• Focuses on the interpretation and application of a country's constitution.
• Deals with the structure of government, the powers and rights of government entities, and the rights and freedoms of individuals.

Contract Law

• Creates and implements the agreements of a contract.
• Provides a legal remedy if a violation of the contract occurs.

Counseling

• Giving professional advice or guidance, typically by a lawyer or legal expert.
• Helps people understand their legal rights, responsibilities, and options.

Criminal Code

• Defines conduct that constitutes a criminal offense.
• Sets out the punishments for crimes and the procedures for prosecution.

Criminal Law

• A system of law concerned with the punishment of those who commit crimes.

Defendant

• A person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought.

Disposition

• A judge's final order in a case.

Due Process

• A legal requirement that ensures all individuals are afforded their full legal rights.
• This includes having a fair trial and the opportunity to present evidence.

Equality Before the Law

• The principle that all people are treated the same by the legal system, regardless of their status.

Equality Under the Law

• All people are treated equally by the legal system, without discrimination.

Family Law

• Deals with family matters, such as divorce and child custody.

Hearsay

• A statement made outside a court that is offered as evidence within a court proceeding.
• It is not typically admissible as evidence.

Hybrid Offence

• A type of criminal offense that can be prosecuted as a summary offense or an indictable offense.

Indictable Offence

• A serious type of crime that is usually dealt with in a trial.

Insanity

• A mental illness or disease that prevents a person from fully understanding their actions.

Lawsuit

• A case in a court of law concerning a dispute between two people or organizations.
• Also called litigation.

Mens Rea

• Refers to criminal intent.
• Must be proven in addition to the actus reus in order to convict someone of a crime.

Notwithstanding Clause

• Allows the government to pass a law even if it conflicts with certain rights or freedoms.

Open Custody

• An Order of the Youth Justice Court that requires a young person to spend the first two-thirds of their term in a facility.

Perjury

• Knowingly providing false information or making a false statement under oath in a judicial setting.
• The intention must be present to deceive the judge or jury.

Plaintiff

• The party who brings a legal action or claim.

Plea Bargain

• An agreement between the prosecution and the defendant where the defendant pleads guilty to charges.
• Usually done in exchange for a lesser sentence.

Precedence

• The principle that a court should follow rulings or decisions of higher courts in similar cases.

Private Law

• Part of a civil law legal system that involves relationships between individuals.

Probation

• The release of an offender from detention, subject to good behavior under supervision.

Procedural Law

• Rules and processes that govern how legal cases are handled in court.

Property Law

• The body of law concerning the rights of individuals regarding land, objects, and expression in Canada.

Rule of Law

• A fundamental principle that asserts all individuals, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are equally enforced.

Search Warrant

• A legal document authorizing a police officer or other official to enter and search premises.

Secure Custody

• A minor is locked in a room or enclosure in a law enforcement facility while in temporary custody.

Self-Defense

• Acting, typically using physical force, to protect yourself from a threat.

Stare Decisis

• The principle of following precedent.

Statute

• A written law that is enacted by a legislative body, e.g., parliament.

Substantive Law

• The body of law concerned with rights and obligations.

Summary Conviction

• The least serious type of criminal offense under Canada's Criminal Code.
• Also known as a "petty crime" such as disturbing the peace.

Tort Law

• Provides compensation for people who have been injured or whose property has been damaged due to the wrongdoing of others.

Voir Dire

• The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability for serving on a jury.
• Essentially, a trial within a trial.