Glossary of Legal Terms

Abduction: The act of forcibly taking someone against their will, often involving minors.

Accessory After the Fact: A person who assists another in evading authorities after the commission of a crime.

Accomplice: A person who helps another commit a crime.

Accused: The individual charged with a crime.

Acquittal: A legal judgment declaring someone not guilty of a criminal charge.

Adjournment: Temporarily postponing court proceedings.

Adjudication: The legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case.

Affidavit: A written sworn statement of fact.

Aggravated Assault: An assault causing serious harm, disfigurement, or maiming.

Aggravating Factors: Circumstances that increase the severity or culpability of a crime.

Alberta Court of Appeal: The highest appellate court in Alberta.

Alberta Court of Justice: A provincial court in Alberta dealing with most criminal offences and the proceedings that follow.

Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS): The office responsible for prosecuting offences in Alberta.

Alberta Justice: The provincial government department overseeing legal and judicial matters in Alberta.

Alibi: A claim or proof that one was elsewhere when a crime occurred.

Alternative Measures/Diversion: Programs allowing offenders to avoid criminal conviction if certain conditions are met.

Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court): A party not involved in a case but offers information, expertise, or insight.

Ankle Monitoring: Electronic devices worn to track an individual’s location, usually for bail or probation.

Animal Offences: Crimes related to the mistreatment or harm of animals.

Animal Protection Act (Alberta): Legislation aimed at preventing cruelty to animals.

Appeals: Requests to a higher court to review and provides an opportunity to change the decision of a lower court.

Arrest Warrants: Judicial orders directing law enforcement to arrest an individual.

Arson: Intentionally setting fire to property, causing damage or harm.

Assault: Threat or use of force on another leading to fear of harm or actual harm.

Assault Causing Bodily Harm: An assault resulting in significant physical injury.

Assault with a Weapon: Using a weapon to threaten or inflict harm.

Bail: Temporary release from custody while awaiting trial, sometimes requiring a payment guarantee.

Bench Warrant: An arrest warrant issued by a judge.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The standard of proof required to convict in a criminal trial.

Breathalyzer Test: A test measuring alcohol concentration in a person’s breath.

Breaking and Entering: Illegally entering a property, typically with intent to commit another crime.

Bribery: Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence an action.

Calgary Police Service (CPS): The primary law enforcement agency in Calgary, Alberta.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: A foundational and constitutional document guaranteeing fundamental rights in Canada.

Child Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a child.

Child Pornography: The production, distribution, or possession of explicit images or videos of minors.

Circumstantial Evidence: Evidence that suggests a conclusion but doesn’t directly prove it.

Complainant: The person who files a complaint or raises a formal accusation.

Conditional Discharge: Releasing a person without a conviction, on a Probation Order with conditions to fulfill.

Conditional Sentence Order (CSO): A sentence served in the community rather than in jail, under specific conditions.

Confession: A formal admission of guilt.

Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more persons to commit an unlawful act.

Conspiracy to Commit…: Planning with others to commit a specific crime.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: Canadian legislation governing the control of illegal drugs.

Correctional Services: Institutions and services for the detention and rehabilitation of offenders.

Corruption: Unlawful practices, typically involving bribery or fraud, by those in power.

Counterfeiting: Producing a fraudulent replica of something, often money.

Court of King’s Bench of Alberta: A superior court in Alberta dealing with serious criminal and civil matters.

Co-accused: More than one person being accused of the same crime.

Criminal Code of Canada: The codified law that outlines criminal offences and procedures in Canada.

Criminal Harassment: Unwanted actions like stalking, which cause the victim to fear for their safety.

Criminal Negligence: Recklessly acting without regard for the safety or lives of others.

Cross-Examination: Questioning a witness in court by the opposing side.

Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS): The body responsible for prosecuting the majority of criminal cases in Alberta.

Custodial Sentence: A punishment involving imprisonment.

Customs Act: Legislation governing the duties and controls on goods entering or leaving Canada.

Cybercrime: Crimes committed over the internet or using computers.

Cyberstalking: Using electronic means to harass or intimidate another person.

Dangerous Dogs Act (Alberta): Legislation regulating the ownership of breeds deemed to be a public threat.

Dangerous Offender: An individual classified as posing a significant threat to the public.

Dangerous Operation: Recklessly operating a vehicle, putting others at risk.

Defence Counsel: Lawyers representing the accused in criminal proceedings.

Defence of Another: Justifying an act by claiming it was done to defend another person.

Defence of Property: Justifying an act by claiming it was done to protect one’s property.

Defences: Legal arguments used to challenge or negate criminal liability.

Delinquency: Minor crimes, typically committed by young individuals.

Direct Examination: The initial questioning of a witness by the party that called them.

Disclosure: The process of the prosecution providing evidence to the defence.

Disposition: The final settlement or resolution of a legal matter.

Disorderly Conduct: Behaving disruptively or offensively in public.

Disturbing the Peace: Engaging in disruptive behavior or causing a public disturbance.

DNA: Molecules containing an individual’s genetic code, often used as evidence.

Double Jeopardy: The legal principle preventing an individual from being tried twice for the same crime.

Driving Offences: Violations related to the operation of motor vehicles.

Driving Over .80: Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content over 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Drugs: Substances affecting the mind or body, often regulated by law.

Duress Defence: A claim that actions were committed due to threats or force by another.

Electronic Surveillance: Using technology to monitor and record individuals’ actions.

Embezzlement: Fraudulently taking money or property entrusted to one’s care.

Emergency Protection Order (EPO): A short-term protection order for those at immediate risk of violence.

Endangerment to Health or Life: Acts putting another person’s health or life at risk.

Entrapment: Law enforcement inducing a person to commit a crime they wouldn’t otherwise commit.

Evidence: Information or items used to prove facts in legal proceedings.

Exclusion of Evidence: Preventing certain evidence from being presented in court.

Exculpatory Evidence: Evidence that can exonerate or clear an accused of blame.

Expert Witness: A person with specialized knowledge called to testify in court.

Extradition: The transfer of an individual from one jurisdiction or country to another for prosecution or punishment.

Eyewitness Identification: Recognizing and identifying a suspect based on a witness’s memory.

False Imprisonment: Unlawfully restricting another’s freedom of movement.

False Pretences: Obtaining something through deception.

Firearms: Weapons that discharge projectiles via an explosion.

First Degree Murder: Premeditated, intentional killing; the most serious form of homicide.

First Nations Offenders: Indigenous individuals who have committed criminal offences.

Forensic Evidence: Scientific evidence used in court, often from crime scene analysis.

Forgery: Creating or altering documents with intent to deceive.

Fraud: Deception for personal gain or to cause loss to another.

Gang-Related Offences: Crimes linked to organized gang activity.

Genetic Genealogy: Using DNA sequences to trace ancestry and relationships; an emerging investigative instrument.

Gladue Report: A pre-sentencing report considering an Indigenous offender’s background.

Habeas Corpus: Legal action requiring a prisoner or detainee before a court to determine if the individual’s imprisonment or detention is lawful.

Hate Crimes: Offences motivated by bias, prejudice, or hatred toward a particular group.

Human Trafficking: Illegally transporting people, often across borders, for forced labour or sexual exploitation.