A Crime Victim's Guide to the Criminal Justice System
Glossary of Legal Terms
accused person: a person charged with a criminal offence
acquittal: a finding of not guilty
alternative measures: a process that allows an accused person to take responsibility for his or her actions without
having to go to criminal court
appeal: to ask a higher court to change a lower court's decision
appearance notice: a legal document that states that the person is charged with an offence and must appear in court on the
date named in the notice
arrest: where the police take a person into their custody for the purpose of charging them with a criminal offence
Attorney General: the member of government who is responsible for prosecuting those who break the criminal law
bail hearing: a hearing held by a judge to decide if a person should be released from jail before a trial
complainant: the victim of an alleged offence
conditional release: programs such as day parole, full parole and statutory release that provide an offender with a period
of supervised transition from prison to the community
contempt of court: to willfully disobey a court order or interfere with the administration of justice
conviction: when a person is found guilty of an offence and receives a sentence other than a discharge
Crown Prosecutor: a government lawyer who conducts criminal cases, sometimes called a Crown Attorney
defence: a denial or answer to a charge against an accused person
defence lawyer: a lawyer who represents an accused person
defendant: an accused person in a criminal case
dual offences: offences that may be prosecuted either summarily or by indictment, at the discretion of the prosecutor; also
referred to as “elective” or “hybrid” offences
election: an accused person's choice of trial — that is, by a provincial court judge, by a superior court judge
alone or by a superior court judge and a jury
hearing: a proceeding where witnesses are heard and evidence is presented
indictable offence — a more serious offence. The maximum penalties for indictable offences are greater than
those for a summary offence. The court procedures are also different.
information: a written accusation against a person charged with a criminal offence
leave to appeal: permission or authorization to appeal
parole: a discretionary type of conditional release that allows an offender to serve some of their sentence out of prison
under supervision
preliminary hearing: a hearing by a judge to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold an accused person for
trial
probation: a sentence that allows an offender to be released into the community under the supervision of a probation
officer
promise to appear: a legal document signed by the accused person in which the person promises to appear in court on a named
date
prosecute: to lay a charge in a criminal matter and to prepare and conduct legal proceedings against a person accused of a
crime
restitution: an order requiring an offender to repay a victim as part of their sentence
sentence: a formal judgment imposing a punishment upon conviction for a criminal offence
subpoena: a court order requiring a witness to appear in court to give testimony
summary conviction offence — an offence where the usual maximum penalty is $2,000 fine or six months in prison, or
both.
summons: a legal document ordering an accused person to appear in court
warrant: a court order authorizing the police to arrest a person or to search a place
young offender: a young person at least 12 years of age but under 18 that is charged and convicted of a criminal offence
youth court: the court that deals with criminal charges against young offenders
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