Regulatory Offences (quasi-criminal)
Regulatory offences may not always be very serious, but can often feel like it.
What You Need To Know
Not all law enforcement involves the Criminal Code or the criminal justice system. There are dozens of Ontario municipal acts and regulations that are penal in nature, such as the Highway Traffic Act, financial regulation, environmental regulation, hazardous materials regulation, etc. This area of law is often referred to as being quasi-criminal.
Regulatory Offences can have a profound impact on the defendant, often destroying a person’s reputation and career.
Often an experienced Regulatory Offence lawyer will have a huge list of possible legit defences that may allow your case to be dismissed by your institute’s governing body.
What Are Potential Sanctions For Being Found Guilty?
It varies based on the offence.
Substantial fines can be imposed. It is possible to be sent to jail. For example, repeat offenders of serious driving infractions, such as driving under suspension are often given custodial sentences.
