1. Think about whether the Crown can prove guilt

There are two ways you can commit a guilty act. You can:

• Do something that is against the law.
• Fail to do something required by the law.

The legal term for the physical act of doing something illegal is actus reus.

Doing something against the law

Examples of actions that are against the law are:

• taking someone else’s property without permission
• touching someone without permission
• drinking and driving

Failing to do something required by law

Examples of failing to do something required by law are:

• not following your bail conditions
• not staying at the scene of an accident
• not taking care of your child

Criminal offences are listed in the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. To be found guilty of a crime, the Crown must prove a guilty act beyond a reasonable doubt.