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CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAW

YOUR GUIDE TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CANADA

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Ranking of Criminal Offences by Relative Seriousness

 

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Offences Are Ranked From Most To Least Serious And By Offence Type And Potential Impact On The Person.

This list is not official, but use it to get a rough idea of how much trouble you are in.

It is based on those used by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics for the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR).

Offences Against the Person

1 - Murder, First degree

2 - Murder, Second degree

3 - Manslaughter

4 - Criminal Negligence Causing Death

5 - Other related offences causing death

6 - Attempted Murder

7 - Conspire to Commit Murder

8 - Aggravated sexual assault

9 - Kidnapping

10 - Hostage Taking

11 - Robbery

12 - Extortion

13 - Other Violent Violations

14 - Sexual Assault with a Weapon

15 - Aggravated Assault - Level 3

16 - Discharge Firearm with intent

17 - Sexual Assault

18 - Assault with weapon or causing bodily harm - level 2

19 - Unlawfully causing bodily harm

20 - Criminal negligence causing bodily harm

21 - Abduction under 14

22 - Abduction contravening a custody order

23 - Abduction - no custody order

24 - Infanticide

25 - Assault - level 1

26 - Assault against peace-public officer

27 - Abduction under 16

28 - Other sexual crimes

29 - Other assaults

30 - Criminal harassment

 

Break and Enter

31 - Break and Enter

 

 

Controlled Drug and Substance Act

32 - Trafficking - Heroin

33 - Trafficking - Cocaine

34 - Trafficking - Other N.C.A

35 - Trafficking - Cannabis

36 - Importation - Heroin

37 - Importation - Cocaine

38 - Importation - Other N.C.A.

39 - Importation - Cannabis

40 - Trafficking - Controlled drugs

41 - Trafficking - Restricted Drugs

42 - Possession - Heroin

43 - Possession - Cocaine

44 - Possession - Other N.C.A.

45 - Possession - Cannabis

46 - Cultivation - Cannabis

47 - Possession Restricted Drugs

 

 

Other Criminal Code Offences

48 - Offensive Weapons - Explosives

Criminal Code Traffic Violations

55 - Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm

56 - Impaired Operation/Related Violations Causing bodily Harm

 

Offences Against Property

57 - Theft over

58 - Fraud

59 - Possession of Stolen Goods

60 - Mischief - Property Damage

61 - Offence Against Public Order (Part II C.C.)

62 - Prostitution - Procuring

63 - Offences Against the Rights of Property (Part IX C.C.)

 

Other Criminal Code Offences

64 - Offensive Weapons - Prohibited

65 - Offensive Weapons - Restricted

66 - Offensive Weapons - Firearms Transfer/Serial Numbers

67 - Offensive Weapons - Other

 

68 - Offences Against the Administration of Law and Justice (Part IV C.C.)

69 - Fraudulent Transactions Relating to Contracts and Trade (Part X C.C.)

70 - Willful and forbidden Acts in Respect of Certain Property (Part XI C.C.)

71 - Attempts, Conspiracies, Accessories (Part XII C.C.)

 

Criminal Code Traffic Violations

72 - Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle, Vessel or Aircraft

73 - Impaired Operation of Motor Vehicle, Vessel or Aircraft over 80 MG

74 - Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

75 - Failure to Provide a Blood Sample

76 - Other Criminal Code

 

Other Federal Statute Violations

77 - Canada Shipping Act

78 - Income Tax Act

79 - Customs Act

80 - Competition Act

81 - Immigration Act

82 - Bankruptcy Act

This is not legal advice, it is information

Lay Person's Guide To The Canadian Criminal Prosecution Process

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