Difference between revisions of "Substantive Law on Criminal Offences (1:V)"

All offences created by provincial statute are prosecuted as summary conviction offences. Examples of provincial offences are those created by  the ''Motor Vehicle Act'', RSBC 1996, c 318, ''Liquor Control and Licensing Act'', RSBC 1996, c 268, ''Family Law Act'', SBC 2011, c 25, ''Employment Standards Act'', RSBC 1996, c 113, and the ''Residential Tenancy Act'', SBC 2002, c 78. Other summary conviction offences are established by municipal bylaw  (i.e. parking violations and lodging-house violations). Note that ''Criminal Code'' offences, though stemming from a federal statute, are prosecuted provincially.  

Unless otherwise specified, the maximum penalty for a summary conviction offence is a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months imprisonment, or both (''Criminal Code'', s 787(1)).  An example of a summary offence which carries a greater maximum punishment is uttering threats, ''Criminal Code'', s 264.1(2)(b), which carries a maximum punishment of 18 months jail time.