Criminal Code · Paralegal Scope
What a paralegal can defend.
The Criminal Code offences within an Ontario paralegal’s permitted scope — searchable by section number or keyword, grouped the way the Law Society of Ontario sets them out.
This page lists the Criminal Code offences a licensed Ontario paralegal is permitted to handle. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not create a paralegal-client relationship.
Each entry pairs a section number with a plain-language summary. The summaries are there to help you find the right charge quickly — but the wording of the section in the Criminal Code governs, not our description of it.
Many everyday charges are hybrid offences. A paralegal can act on a hybrid offence only once the Crown elects to proceed by summary conviction; until that election, the matter is treated as indictable and is outside scope.
This reference covers the Criminal Code only. It does not include Provincial Offences Act charges, other federal statutes, or matters before administrative tribunals. The list reflects the Law Society of Ontario roster as of September 19, 2019.
154 offences shown
Hybrid offences
91 offencesA paralegal can act only once the Crown elects to proceed by summary conviction. Until then, these are treated as indictable. This is where most everyday charges — assault, theft and mischief under $5,000, fraud under $5,000 — sit.
- s. 56.1(4)Identity documentsCrown must elect summary
- s. 57(2)False statement in relation to a passportCrown must elect summary
- s. 66(2)Unlawful assembly with concealment of identityCrown must elect summary
- s. 73Forcible entry / forcible detainerCrown must elect summary
- s. 83.231(2)Hoax regarding terrorist activityCrown must elect summary
- s. 86(3)Careless use of a firearm / contravening storage regulationsCrown must elect summary
- s. 87(2)Pointing a firearmCrown must elect summary
- s. 88(2)Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purposeCrown must elect summary
- s. 90(2)Carrying a concealed weaponCrown must elect summary
- s. 91(3)Unauthorized possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weaponCrown must elect summary
- s. 93(2)Possession at an unauthorized place (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 94(2)Unauthorized possession in a motor vehicle (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 101(2)Transfer without authority (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 104(2)Unauthorized importing or exporting (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 105(2)Losing or finding without reporting (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 106(2)Destroying without reporting (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 107(2)Making false statements (re ss. 105–106)Crown must elect summary
- s. 108(2)Tampering with a serial number (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 117.01(3)Possession contrary to order / failure to surrender authorization (firearm / weapon)Crown must elect summary
- s. 121.1(4)(b)Selling tobacco products and raw leaf tobaccoCrown must elect summary
- s. 127(1)Disobeying an order of the courtCrown must elect summary
- s. 129Offences relating to a public or peace officerCrown must elect summary
- s. 130(2)Personating a peace officerCrown must elect summary
- s. 139(1)Obstructing justiceCrown must elect summary
- s. 140(2)Public mischiefCrown must elect summary
- s. 145(1)–(5.1)Escape and being at large without excuseCrown must elect summary
- s. 160(1)–(2)Bestiality / compelling commission of bestialityCrown must elect summary
- s. 162(5)VoyeurismCrown must elect summary
- s. 162.1(1)Publication of an intimate image without consentCrown must elect summary
- s. 169Obscene material / immoral theatrical performance / mailing obscene matterCrown must elect summary
- s. 173(1)–(2)Indecent act / exposureCrown must elect summary
- s. 204(10)Regulatory offences relating to horse racing / bettingCrown must elect summary
- s. 207(3)(a)Conduct, management or operation of a lottery scheme (permitted lotteries)Crown must elect summary
- s. 207.1(3)(a)Conduct, management or operation of a lottery scheme (permitted lotteries, international cruise ship)Crown must elect summary
- s. 241.31(4)–(5)Filing information / contravening regulations (medical assistance in dying)Crown must elect summary
- s. 263(3)Failing to safeguard an opening in ice / guard an excavation on landCrown must elect summary
- s. 264(3)Criminal harassmentCrown must elect summary
- s. 264.1(3)Uttering threatsCrown must elect summary
- s. 266AssaultCrown must elect summary
- s. 270(2)Assaulting a peace officerCrown must elect summary
- s. 273.3(2)Removal of a child from CanadaCrown must elect summary
- s. 282(1)Abduction in contravention of a custody orderCrown must elect summary
- s. 283(1)AbductionCrown must elect summary
- s. 319(1)–(2)Public incitement of hatred / wilful promotion of hatredCrown must elect summary
- s. 327(1)Possession of a device to obtain telecommunication serviceCrown must elect summary
- s. 334(b)Theft (under $5,000)Crown must elect summary
- s. 342(1), (3)Theft, forgery, etc. of a credit card / unauthorized use of credit card dataCrown must elect summary
- s. 342.01(1)Instruments for copying credit card data or forging credit cardsCrown must elect summary
- s. 342.1(1)Unauthorized use of a computerCrown must elect summary
- s. 342.2(1)Possession of a device to obtain unauthorized computer use or commit mischiefCrown must elect summary
- s. 347(1)Criminal interest rateCrown must elect summary
- s. 348(1)(e)Breaking and entering (place other than a dwelling-house)Crown must elect summary
- s. 349(1)Being unlawfully in a dwelling-houseCrown must elect summary
- s. 351(1)Possession of a break-in instrumentCrown must elect summary
- s. 353.1(4)Tampering with a vehicle identification number (VIN)Crown must elect summary
- s. 355(b)Possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000)Crown must elect summary
- s. 355.5(b)Trafficking in property obtained by crime (under $5,000)Crown must elect summary
- s. 356(3)Theft from mailCrown must elect summary
- s. 362(2)(b)False pretence or false statementCrown must elect summary
- s. 367ForgeryCrown must elect summary
- s. 368(1.1)Use, trafficking or possession of a forged documentCrown must elect summary
- s. 368.1Forgery instrumentsCrown must elect summary
- s. 372(4)False information / indecent or harassing communicationsCrown must elect summary
- s. 380(1)(b)Fraud (under $5,000)Crown must elect summary
- s. 380.2(4)Failing to comply with a prohibition order (in relation to fraud)Crown must elect summary
- s. 382.1(2)Tipping (insider trading)Crown must elect summary
- s. 402.2(5)Identity theft / trafficking in identity informationCrown must elect summary
- s. 403(3)Identity fraudCrown must elect summary
- s. 412(1)Forgery of trademarks and trade descriptions (ss. 407–411)Crown must elect summary
- s. 415(g)Offences in relation to a wreckCrown must elect summary
- s. 417(2)Unlawful transactions in public storesCrown must elect summary
- s. 420(1)Military storesCrown must elect summary
- s. 422(1)(g)Criminal breach of contractCrown must elect summary
- s. 423(1)IntimidationCrown must elect summary
- s. 425.1(2)Threats and retaliation against employeesCrown must elect summary
- s. 430(3)Mischief (testamentary instrument / property over $5,000)Crown must elect summary
- s. 430(4)Mischief (other property)Crown must elect summary
- s. 430(4.2)Mischief in relation to cultural propertyCrown must elect summary
- s. 430(5)Mischief in relation to computer dataCrown must elect summary
- s. 430(5.1)Act or omission likely to constitute mischiefCrown must elect summary
- s. 432(1)–(2)Unauthorized recording of a movie / recording for saleCrown must elect summary
- s. 437False alarm of fireCrown must elect summary
- s. 446(2)Causing damage or injury (captive animals conveyed or abandoned)Crown must elect summary
- s. 462.31(2)Laundering proceeds of crimeCrown must elect summary
- s. 462.33(11)Failing to comply with a restraint orderCrown must elect summary
- s. 463(d)Attempts, accessories — hybrid offencesCrown must elect summary
- s. 487.0552(1)Failure to comply with an order or summonsCrown must elect summary
- s. 487.08(4)Use of bodily substancesCrown must elect summary
- s. 490.031(1)Failing to comply with an order (National Defence Act / International Transfer of Offenders Act)Crown must elect summary
- s. 490.0311Knowingly providing false information (Sex Offender Information Registration Act)Crown must elect summary
- s. 490.8(9)Contravening a restraint order (offence-related property)Crown must elect summary
Summary conviction offences
57 offencesThese carried a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment before Bill C-75 came into force on September 19, 2019.
- s. 54Assisting a deserter
- s. 56Offences in relation to members of the RCMP
- s. 66(1)Unlawful assembly
- s. 83(1)Engaging in a prize fight
- s. 89(2)Carrying a weapon while attending a public meeting
- s. 134(1)Perjury (where not required to make oath, etc.)
- s. 174(1)Nudity
- s. 175(1)Causing a disturbance, indecent exhibition, loitering, etc.
- s. 176(2)–(3)Disturbing religious worship or certain meetings
- s. 177Trespassing at night
- s. 201(2)Person found in, or owner permitting use of, a gaming or betting house
- s. 206(4)Buying a ticket in an unlawful lottery or game of chance
- s. 207(3)(b)Participation in a lottery scheme (permitted lotteries)
- s. 207.1(3)(b)Participation in a lottery scheme (permitted lotteries, international cruise ship)
- s. 210(2)Landlord, inmate, etc. (common bawdy-house)
- s. 211Transporting a person to a bawdy-house
- s. 213(1)–(1.1)Stopping or impeding traffic / communicating (sexual services for consideration)
- s. 278.9(2)Publication prohibited (in relation to a production order)
- s. 278.95(2)Publication prohibited (admissibility hearing re complainant’s sexual activity)
- s. 320.19(2)Operation while impaired — low blood drug concentration
- s. 320.36(4)Unauthorized use or disclosure of a bodily substance or results
- s. 335(1)Taking a motor vehicle or vessel, or found therein, without consent
- s. 339(2)Dealer in second-hand goods (lumbering equipment without consent)
- s. 353(3)–(4)Failing to keep a record of transaction; sale of an automobile master key
- s. 364(1)Fraudulently obtaining food, beverage or accommodation
- s. 393(3)Fraudulently obtaining transportation
- s. 398Falsifying an employment record
- s. 401(1)Obtaining carriage by false billing
- s. 419Unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates
- s. 425Offences by employers
- s. 438(2)Interfering with the saving of a wreck
- s. 439(1)Interfering with a marine signal (making fast a vessel or boat)
- s. 442Interfering with boundary lines
- s. 447.1(2)Breach of an order (cruelty to animals)
- s. 454Slugs and tokens
- s. 456Defacing current coins
- s. 457(3)Likeness of bank-notes
- s. 463(c)Attempts, accessories — summary offences
- s. 464(b)Counselling an offence that is not committed — summary offences
- s. 465(1)(d)Conspiracy — summary offences
- s. 486.6(1)Failing to comply with an order restricting publication (sexual offences; victims and witnesses)
- s. 487.0197Contravening a preservation demand
- s. 487.0198Contravening a preservation or production order
- s. 487.0199Destruction of preserved data
- s. 487.08(3)Use of bodily substances
- s. 487.2Contravening a restriction on publication (warrant)
- s. 490.0312Obligation to advise police service (NCR finding outside Canada)
- s. 517(2)Failing to comply with an order (matters not to be published for a specified period)
- s. 539(3)Failing to comply with an order (publication of evidence at a preliminary inquiry)
- s. 542(2)Restriction on publishing preliminary inquiry reports (confession or admission)
- s. 648(2)Restriction on publication (portion of trial where jury absent)
- s. 649Disclosure of jury proceedings
- s. 672.37(3)Federal employment application requiring disclosure of an NCR verdict (absolute discharge / no disposition)
- s. 672.501(11)Failing to comply with an order restricting publication (sexual offences, NCR)
- s. 732.11(4)Prohibition on use of a bodily substance (probation)
- s. 742.31(4)Prohibition on use of a bodily substance (conditional sentence)
- s. 810.4(4)Prohibition on use of a bodily substance (recognizance)
Driving offences (restored to scope)
4 offencesThese four Criminal Code driving offences were within scope for years, were briefly removed by Bill C-46 (in force December 21, 2018), and were then deliberately brought back.
- s. 320.13(1)Dangerous operation
- s. 320.16(1)Failure to stop after an accident
- s. 320.17Flight from a peace officer
- s. 320.18(1)Operation while prohibited
Non-offence proceedings
2 offencesCertain hearings that are not themselves offences. Including but not limited to the examples below.
- s. 111Application for a prohibition order (firearm prohibition hearings)
- s. 810Sureties to keep the peace (peace bond hearings)
Source
Compiled from the Law Society of Ontario’s list of permitted Criminal Code summary conviction offences for licensed paralegals, as it stood on September 19, 2019. Where this summary and the Criminal Code differ, the Code governs. Scope can change as the Law Society and Parliament amend the rules — confirm any specific charge with us before relying on it.
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