Canadian Criminal Procedure and Practice/Types of Offences

Summary Offences
Any offence which is not explicitly described as an indictment or indictable offence is a summary offence.

Hybrid or Electable Offences

 * See also Canadian Criminal Procedure and Practice/Election

Under s. 34(1)(a), a hybrid offence is deemed to be treated as indictable until such time as a summary election is made. This principle has a number of effects. It means that the many powers of police in relation to indictable offences will include hybrid offences for the purpose of their investigation. It also means that the requirements of personal attendance at court for indictable offences applies well. Anywhere in the Code that refers to "indictable offences" will include hybrid offences.

A conviction for a hybrid offence elected as a summary conviction cannot be treated as an indictable offence.