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Serious Assault Laws in Canada

Part VIII of the Criminal Code / Against the Person and Reputation

The Use or Threat of Violence

If you have been charged with a crime in Canada, you should consult with a criminal defence lawyer in your area

Serious Assault - Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Legal Terms

Crown prosecutor

Lawyers who act for the federal, provincial and territorial governments and prosecute people accused of crimes on behalf of the Crown.

Indictable offence

Indictable offences are the most serious offences under the Criminal Code and they come with more serious punishments, up to a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Mens rea

Mens rea refers to having criminal intent, knowledge, or recklessness since the person is aware of their misconduct. The literal translation from Latin is "guilty mind." The Crown needs to show that the accused had mens rea to win a conviction. 

Reasonable doubt

The Supreme Court of Canada has said that reasonable doubt “falls much closer to absolute certainty than to proof on a balance of probabilities” and “that something less than absolute certainty is required, and that something more than probable guilt is required."

Summary offence

Summary offences are less-serious criminal offences such as disturbing the peace or unlawful assembly

Serious Assault - Tagged With:
Code Citations: s.109 , s.265 , s.267 , s.268 , s.491