QUICK CANADIAN LAW QUIZ

QUICK CANADIAN LAW QUIZ

Can school officials allow a police sniffer dog to search for drugs in students’ backpacks? No The Supreme Court ruled that such searches are a violation of section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Is a person who has been arrested required to answer police questions? No Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to remain silent

What happens if a witness in a trial doesn’t tell the truth? A witness who knowingly gives false evidence commits purjery and can receive a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment

Is there actually such a thing as a "citizen's arrest"? Yes Under the Criminal Code anyone may arrest a person who is committing an indictable offence, is fleeing from someone who is authorized to arrest, or has stolen or possesses your property. What would be an example of an indictable offence? Murder, acts of terrorism, robbery, drug trafficking, treason, certain types of sexual assault, and other very serious criminal acts.

Are the results of a polygraph or ”lie detector” allowed as evidence in a trial? . No The prosecutor can attempt to introduce into evidence anything the defendant says during the polygraph test.

Can someone your age receive an adult sentence for a violent crime? Yes Judges can impose adult sentences on youths under 18 years of age.

At what age is a person eligible for jury duty? You must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, and registered on the voters’ list.

ls polygamy - having more than one husband or wife - Iegal in Canada? No But people in polygamous relationships are rarely prosecuted. Two men from Bountiful, British Columbia, were charged with polygamy in early 2009. The case took until 2018 to reach a conclusion where both men were convicted.

Is suicide or attempted suicide a crime in Canada? No Helping or counselling someone to commit suicide is a crime. Except for certain medical situations.

Is a verbal agreement legally binding? Yes A verbal agreement (also known as an oral contract) is legally binding if its terms can be proven. Can you see any problems with this?

When does a Canadian judge bang a gavel on the bench? Never Canadian judges do not use gavels.

If you break into an empty cabin to escape from a life-threatening blizzard, will you be convicted of breaking and entering? Not likely You can claim the defence of necessity as long as you do not steal or destroy anything.

Can you be convicted of an offence for making fun of someone on a social media? Yes If the target feels bullied or threatened, or if his or her reputation is damaged.

Can you threaten to lay criminal charges against someone who rightfully owes you money? No Making such a threat is a Criminal Code offence that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Is it now legal to possess or use a small quantity of marijuana in Canada? Subject to provincial or territorial restrictions, adults who are 18 years of age or older are legally able to: – possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis, dried or equivalent in non-dried form in public – share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults – Buy dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially-licensed retailer

Is it now legal to possess or use a small quantity of marijuana in Canada? Subject to provincial or territorial restrictions, adults who are 18 years of age or older are legally able to: – grow, from licensed seed or seedlings, up to 4 cannabis plants per residence for personal use – make cannabis products, such as food and drinks, at home as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products – Cannabis edible products and concentrates will be legal for sale approximately one year after

Is it now legal to possess or use a small quantity of marijuana in Canada? No person may sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 18. There are 2 criminal offences related to providing cannabis to youth, with maximum penalties of 14 years in jail: – giving or selling cannabis to youth – using a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence

Is it a crime to burn a Canadian flag in a public protest? No Canada has no laws prohibiting the burning or defacement of Canadian or other flags.