What to Expect if You Report a Crime to the Police
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The following generally describes what may happen when you report a crime to the police:
- You report a crime to police.
- You will be asked to make a statement.
- Police investigate the crime and decide whether to recommend to Crown counsel that the accused be charged with committing a crime. Police may also arrest the accused. If the accused is a youth, the police may decide to use extrajudicial measures.
- Crown counsel may formally charge the accused if there is a substantial likelihood of conviction and a prosecution is in the public interest. Crown counsel may refer the accused for alternative measures for adults or extrajudicial sanctions for youth or begin court proceedings.
- See The Court Case
- The court decides whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty of committing the crime.
- See Court Decision
- If the accused is found guilty, the court sentences the accused, which may include a custodial sentence, community supervision sentence or a combination of both.
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