Adjournment: When the judge postpones the matter before the court to another date and time. The delay may be used to prepare a report, to get a lawyer or prepare for trial.
Bail: A bail hearing before the judge is held to decide whether the accused individual should be released from jail before the trial. Bail is a legally binding pledge made to pay an amount of money if the accused does not comply with the conditions set by the Court for release.
Concurrent disorder: mental health issue and an addiction
Criminal Offence:
- Class 1: These are most minor offences including shoplifting, causing a disturbance and possession of a small amount of illegal substances.
- Class 2: This includes acts such as uttering threats, public mischief, simple assault and breaking and entering
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Class 3: These are the most severe offences including assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault, manslaughter and murder.
(Class 1 and some Class 2 offences are eligible for Diversion)
DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision published by the American Psychiatric Association, is a handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them
Dual Diagnosis: mental health issue and developmental disability
Probation Order: is a sentence imposed by the courts, which allows the individual to remain in the community subject to certain conditions such as reporting to a probation officer, non-associations, and abstention from drugs and alcohol etc. People given a conditional discharge, suspended or intermittent sentence must be placed on probation. The maximum length of probation is up to 3 years.