Summary offence

Part of the common law series
Elements of all crimes
Ignorance is no excuse
Mens rea  · Actus reus
Criminal jurisdiction
Categories of crimes
Felony/Indictable
Misdemeanor/Summary
Hybrid offence  · Lesser included offense
Criminal negligence
Regulatory offences
Crimes against the person
Assault  · Battery  · Robbery
Kidnapping  · Rape
Mayhem  · Manslaughter  · Murder
Crimes against property
Burglary  · Larceny  · Arson
Embezzlement  · False pretenses
Extortion  · Forgery
Crimes against justice
Bribery  · Perjury
Obstruction of justice
Misprision of felony
Inchoate offenses
Solicitation  · Attempt
Conspiracy  · Accessory
Defenses to crime
Self defense and defense of others
Necessity  · Duress
Insanity/mental disorder  · Automatism
Intoxication defense
Attendant circumstances
Other areas of the common law
Contract law  · Tort law  · Property law
Wills and trusts  · Evidence
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In the law of many common law jurisdictions, a summary offence (or summary offense) is an offence which can be tried without an indictment. In practice, this often means a trial without a jury, jury trials being reserved for indictable offences. Summary offences are often "petty crimes" or crimes that aren't considered very severe. Contrast with indictable offence.


See also