What being a ‘party to an offence’ means
The charge of being party to an offence is an intricate and often misunderstood area of law. After all, why should people who may not have been at the crime scene be held criminally liable for what occurred?
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You have the right to self-defence, within limits
Whether Canadians have a right to self-defence is a question that regularly crops across the country. The answer is complex and nuanced, which leads to misunderstandings.
An extortion attempt can result in a life sentence
Extortion is defined in the Criminal Code as using “threats, accusations, menaces or violence” to force someone else to do something. The demand is usually to pay money, though sexual favours, promises or tangible property can also be demanded.
The charge of forcible confinement is not as simple as it seems
It is a criminal offence to hold anyone against their will by using threats, coercion or force. If you do that you may be charged with forcible confinement.
Why disclosure is a fundamental right of the accused
If you are charged with a criminal offence in Canada you have a right to know what evidence police have compiled to support that charge
What are my rights during a police interrogation?
Few things are more stressful than a police interrogation. Your liberty and freedom could be at stake depending on how you conduct yourself.
What if a domestic assault complainant wants the charges dropped?
If you are facing a criminal charge related to domestic assault, the complainant does not make the decision about whether or not to have the charges dropped.
What are my rights during a police stop?
Police have broad powers when it comes to enforcing the law in Canada. However, citizens also have extensive protection when it comes to their dealings with law enforcement agencies, thanks to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What is intimate partner violence?
Intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as spousal or domestic violence, refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current or former intimate partner or spouse.
The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs
If you are caught operating a vehicle while impaired by cannabis or any other drug you will face the same legal consequences as a person driving drunk.
Charges and penalties for trafficking narcotics
You could face serious consequences if you have been charged with drug trafficking in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada. Depending on the drug and the quantity in your possession, sentences range from house arrest to life in prison.
Crime decreasing but still a problem in rural Alberta
Rural crime in southern Alberta declined last year, according to a May 2024 statement from the RCMP.
The age of consent when it comes to sexual relations
The age of consent is when a young person can legally agree to sexual activity, ranging from kissing and fondling to sexual intercourse. A person under the age of consent cannot agree to sexual activity unless they fall into the close-in-age groups defined below.
What is public mischief?
If you give false information to police that causes them to launch an investigation, you could be charged with public mischief. This is a serious offence since your actions can potentially waste police resources and time they otherwise would have spent looking into real crimes.
What is the legal age to own and use a firearm in Canada?
Canadians must be 18 to purchase and possess a firearm but those as young as 12 can use them if they have the proper licence.
What to do if you have been charged with sexual assault
Few crimes carry the stigma of sexual assault. Convictions relating to sexual offences will often result in significant jail sentences and the requirement to submit DNA samples to the state and registry into SOIRA (Sex Offender Information Registration Act).
Understand your legal responsibilities before hunting in Alberta
Hunting is an integral part of Alberta’s heritage and way of life.
However, the laws governing this activity can be confusing, especially to those new to the sport. The uninitiated may take down a prohibited animal or be found hunting in a non-designated area. Both actions could result in charges.
Harsh penalties are given for child luring
Child luring occurs when an adult communicates with someone who they believe to be under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity or to commit an abduction. This communication is done through email, messaging apps or web-based chat program.
Legally registered guns ‘rarely’ used to commit criminal acts
A recent Statistics Canada report confirms that people with unregistered firearms are responsible for the majority of gun-related crime in Canada.
Severe sentences imposed for child pornography convictions
People convicted of child pornography offences face significant custodial sentences. Sexual offences involving children are taken seriously by our judicial system and those under investigation need to seek legal counsel immediately.
What to do if you are charged with domestic violence in Alberta?
Domestic violence is the use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship.
Theft in Alberta can take many forms
Theft is one of the most commonly charged offences prosecuted in Alberta. According to Statistics Canada, there were 3,526 charges for theft over $5,000 laid in Alberta in 2022, along with 83,324 charges for theft under $5,000 in that same period.
Incidents of fraud are on the rise across Alberta
Fraud is one of the most common charges laid by police, especially in Alberta. According to Statistics Canada, it has seen the greatest increase nationwide since 2011, rising from 87,174 offences in 2011 to 168,483 in 2021.
Understanding the difference between murder and manslaughter
Police will be looking to lay charges whenever someone is unlawfully killed. But will the suspect be charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter? It all depends on the circumstances and the intent behind the act.
What to do if you are caught in a checkstop
Police forces across Alberta kicked off their holiday checkstop season in early December. As this Calgary news report noted, “A steady stream of vehicles loaded into the dedicated stalls where drivers were asked to submit to a mandatory roadside breathalyzer.
