When most people think of the word criminal, they picture someone awful like a murderer or a tax cheat. But the word is actually much broader, and technically anyone who breaks the law is a criminal, even if it’s just not paying a speeding ticket.
The Criminal Code – A collection of laws in each country that state what is considered to be a crime and the punishments that will result if someone is found guilty of doing it.
Problem-solving court – A court that specialises in cases involving drug and alcohol addiction. They usually require an offender to appear regularly before a judge and engage in rehabilitative programmes in the community.
Strict liability – A legal doctrine that states that a person is liable for all of the consequences and harm caused by their actions, regardless of how much fault they actually bear. A common example is speeding, which is a strict liability offence because it is impossible to tell how much fault the driver actually has in a particular collision.
Crime & Violence – Protecting everyone’s right to feel safe where they live, whatever their race, wealth, health or ability, is one of the most important responsibilities of governments and communities. This is especially challenging in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statutory law – The written laws enacted by federal, state and local legislative bodies that define specific crimes, their elements, and the penalties associated with them.
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