Alberta New Criminal Code

MODERN CANADIAN CRIMINAL CODE (Concise Citizen Edition)

Version 1.0 — Plain Language Rewrite
Purpose: Protect freedom. Enforce accountability. Simplify justice.

PREAMBLE

Canada’s justice system exists to protect the freedoms, safety, and property of all people equally.
This Criminal Code is written in plain language so every citizen can read, understand, and rely on it without legal training.

All rights belong first to the people. Government, institutions, and corporations exist to serve the public and are equally accountable under this Code.

This Code focuses on:

  • Freedom
  • Responsibility
  • Transparency
  • Equal treatment
  • Clear penalties
  • Protection from abuse of power

PART I — CORE PRINCIPLES

1. Freedom First

People may live, speak, travel, work, and believe freely.
The law intervenes only when a person’s actions cause harm, violate rights, or create significant danger.

2. Equal Accountability

No one is above the law—citizens, corporations, public employees, government officials, or elected representatives.

3. Plain Language Law

All offences and penalties must be understandable by the average Canadian.

4. Victim-Focused Justice

Justice prioritizes:

  1. Ending harm
  2. Repairing harm
  3. Preventing further harm

This includes restitution and compensation wherever possible.

5. Clear Cause-and-Effect

If a crime is committed, the penalty is predictable and consistent.
No vague sentencing. No loopholes. No political exceptions.

PART II — OFFENCE LEVELS

Every crime is assigned a level:

Level 1 — Minor Offence

Small, repairable harm.
Penalty:

  • Restitution to victim
  • Income-scaled fine
  • 0–6 months community service or supervision

Level 2 — Serious Offence

Intentional or repeated harm.
Penalty:

  • Restitution
  • 6 months–3 years custody OR structured community sentence
  • Mandatory rehabilitation or education program

Level 3 — Major Offence

Significant injury, financial loss, or risk to public safety.
Penalty:

  • Restitution
  • 3–15 years custody
  • No release before 75% served

Level 4 — Extreme Offence

Severe harm, life-altering injury, fatal outcomes, or public endangerment.
Penalty:

  • 15 years–life
  • Limited parole access
  • Permanent criminal record

PART III — CATEGORIES OF CRIME

The Code uses five categories.

A. CRIMES AGAINST PEOPLE

1. Assault

Definition: Harming, attempting to harm, or forcefully touching someone without consent.
Penalty: Level 1–4 depending on injury.

2. Threats & Harassment

Definition: Words or actions intended to intimidate, control, or emotionally harm.
Penalty:

  • First instance: Level 1–2
  • Repeated or severe: Level 2–3

3. Homicide

Definition: Causing death intentionally or through reckless behaviour.
Penalty:

  • Accidental through negligence: Level 3
  • Intentional or reckless disregard for life: Level 4

B. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY

4. Theft

Definition: Taking property without permission.
Penalty:

  • Under $500 → Level 1
  • $500–$10,000 → Level 2
  • Over $10,000 → Level 3
  • Organized, workplace, or trust position → Level 4

5. Fraud

Definition: Lying or deceiving for financial gain.
Penalty:

  • Under $5,000 → Level 1
  • $5,000–$100,000 → Level 2
  • Over $100,000 or targeting seniors → Level 3–4

6. Property Damage

Definition: Breaking, vandalizing, or destroying another person’s property.
Penalty:

  • Minor damage → Level 1
  • Intentional or repeated → Level 2–3

C. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY

7. Dangerous Conduct

Definition: Any behaviour creating a real risk of injury or death (e.g., reckless driving, unsafe firearm use).
Penalty: Level 1–3

8. Major Public Risk

Definition: Actions that endanger many people (e.g., sabotage, tampering with utilities, public threats).
Penalty: Level 3–4

9. Drug Manufacturing & Trafficking

Definition: Producing or distributing substances that significantly harm the community.
Penalty: Level 3–4
Note: Simple possession for personal use → administrative or treatment-based response, not criminal.

D. ABUSE OF POWER (GOVERNMENT, CORPORATE, OR INSTITUTIONAL)

These offences always start at Level 3. Serious cases rise to Level 4.

10. Corruption

Using authority to gain personal benefit, influence decisions unfairly, or hide wrongdoing.

11. Violation of Rights

Detaining, surveilling, censoring, or coercing citizens without lawful justification.

12. Misuse of Public Money

Redirecting public funds for private benefit, political favour, or unauthorized purposes.

13. Corporate Harm

Knowingly causing significant physical, financial, or health-related harm through corporate negligence or deception.

E. CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN & VULNERABLE PERSONS

14. Abuse or Neglect

Any act that harms a child or vulnerable adult.
Penalty: Level 2–4

15. Exploitation

Using a child or vulnerable person for financial, physical, or emotional benefit.
Penalty: Always Level 4

PART IV — TRANSPARENCY & FAIR PROCESS

16. Right to a Clear Explanation

Every accused person must receive a plain-language explanation of the charge and evidence.

17. Right to Timely Resolution

Cases must be resolved within reasonable time limits to prevent abuse of process.

18. Open Justice

Court decisions, evidence summaries, and sentencing reasons must be public unless needed to protect victims.

19. Equal Treatment

Laws apply identically to:

  • Government
  • Police
  • Institutions
  • Corporations
  • Citizens

No special carve-outs.

PART V — SENTENCING PRINCIPLES

20. Restitution First

Victims must be compensated before fines go to the government.

21. No Plea Bargain Reductions Below Minimums

Negotiations cannot produce weaker penalties than listed in the Code.

22. Rehabilitation When Useful

Programs may replace or reduce custody for Level 1–2 offences only.

23. Public Accountability for Level 3–4

Serious offenders must face:

  • public sentencing statements
  • full records
  • mandatory post-release monitoring

PART VI — RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED

24. Presumption of Innocence

No penalty or restriction before conviction, except reasonable safety-based conditions.

25. Right to Legal Help

People may defend themselves or seek representation.

26. Right to Know All Evidence

All evidence, including that held by the government, must be disclosed.

Failure to disclose by any party is itself a Level 3 crime (abuse of power).

PART VII — CITIZEN OVERSIGHT

27. Independent Review Board

A publicly elected board reviews:

  • complaints against government
  • police misconduct
  • judicial errors
  • corporate wrongdoing involving the public

28. Public Annual Reports

Government agencies, prosecutors, and police must publish annual misconduct and performance reports in plain language.

CONCLUSION

This Code is designed to be:

  • understandable
  • fair
  • predictable
  • free of political interference
  • focused on freedom and accountability

Every person—citizen or official—must follow it equally.