What are hybrid offences in criminal law?

Hybrid offences, also known as dual procedure offences, are characterized by their flexibility in how they can be prosecuted. The defining feature of these offences is that the Crown has the discretion to choose between proceeding by indictment or summary conviction. This choice is influenced by various factors, including the severity of the offence, the circumstances surrounding the case, and potential penalties.

In contrast, other types of offences have more defined procedures. Offences that can only be tried on summary conviction, for example, are not subject to this duality and must follow a specific, typically less complex, process. The same applies to offences that require a jury trial, which are more serious and necessitate the participation of a jury, eliminating the possibility of summary conviction. Lastly, offences where the Crown must always proceed by indictment do not provide the option of a summary trial at all, therefore differing fundamentally from hybrid offences.

Thus, the classification of a crime as a hybrid offence allows for a more flexible approach to prosecution, potentially making the legal process more efficient while accounting for the nuances of individual cases.