What Is the Difference Between Felonies and Misdemeanors in Criminal Law?
Posted on April 09, 2025
In Ontario, there are three classifications of crimes: summary offences, indictable offences, and hybrid offences. If you’ve been accused or charged with a crime in Ontario, it will fit into one of these categories, which will determine the potential penalties and consequences you can face if you are convicted. To ensure you get the best results possible from a criminal defence lawyer, you must work with a trusted and reputable legal team with a proven track record. At Karrass Law, our defence lawyers in Vaughan go beyond just providing personalized legal advice and guidance; our team also provides robust representation to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Here’s what you need to understand about various types of criminal offences in criminal law.
What is a Summary Offence?
Summary offences, commonly equated with misdemeanours in the United States, represent a less severe category of crimes. These offences typically involve smaller penalties, which might include lighter fines or shorter jail terms. The process for dealing with summary offences is also streamlined and less formal compared to more serious crimes. To be convicted of a summary offence, you must be charged within 12 months of the crime taking place, and the trial is typically by a judge alone without a jury. The maximum sentence for a summary offence is 2 years less a day in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both.
What is an Indictable Offence?
An indictable offence is akin to a felony in the United States or other jurisdictions. These are serious crimes that carry more severe consequences, including longer prison sentences and larger fines. The legal process for indictable offences is more complex and formal, often involving preliminary hearings, the potential for a trial by jury, and multiple court appearances. If you’ve been charged with a more serious crime like homicide, criminal fraud, or more, it’s essential that you seek representation from a reputable criminal defence lawyer in Ontario, like Karrass Law. Our defence lawyers in Vaughan are experienced with serious criminal offences and can ensure you get the best possible outcome from your trial.
Tried by a judge and jury, indictable criminal offences have a maximum sentence of 8 months to life (25 years) in prison, depending on the nature of the charge. Some indictable offences even have a mandatory minimum sentence with a conviction. For more insight and legal advice on how to navigate an indictable offence successfully, book a consultation with Robert Karrass and the Karrass Law team.
What is a Hybrid Offence?
Hybrid offences are a unique category of criminal offences in the Canadian judicial system. These offences can be prosecuted either as summary or as indictable, depending on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the prosecution. This flexibility allows the legal system to appropriately respond to the nature of the crime and its context. For instance, a charge handled as a summary offence might result in a less severe penalty, while the same charge treated as an indictable offence could lead to more serious consequences.
The hybrid nature of these offences underscores the importance of securing knowledgeable legal advice from a defence lawyer
Trust Our Skilled Criminal Defence Lawyers in Vaughan at Karrass Law
Navigating criminal offences requires the expertise of a defence lawyer in Vaughan with a proven track record. By working with the experienced and trusted team at Karrass Law, you can count on in-depth insight, strategic and compelling arguments, and transparent communication. Our lawyers are dedicated to supporting you through your case without judgment. To get started with our team, book a complimentary lawyer consultation.