There are a wide range of sentences that can follow a criminal conviction. The type of sentence that is possible depends on the offence. Some sentence options (such as a fine alone) are available for some offences but not others.

Sentences available in Canadian Courts include:

• Absolute or Conditional Discharge

  A discharge is an option available to a court when an individual pleads or is found guilty of certain offences. It is an option that serves as an alternative to convicting the accused. Where the discharge is "conditional", the person must satisfy the terms prescribed in a probation order.

• Suspended Sentence

  The court has the option to suspend the passing of sentence on an individual who has been convicted of an offence where there is no minimum punishment prescribed by law. In these cases the court considers the age and character of the offender, the nature of the offence as well as the circumstances surrounding the commission of it.

• Probation

  Probation is a community sentence option available to the court. A term of adult probation usually accompanies a suspended sentence or a conditional discharge and results in an offender being subject to court ordered conditions to be adhered to as part of the sentence. The conditions are set out in the probation order and may include the requirement to report to a probation officer.

• Resitution

  There may also be an order for "restitution"—that is, the person must make a payment to someone who has suffered loss because of his or her acts.

• Fine

  There can be an order made requiring the person to pay a fine upon conviction. This may be combined with other sentences.

• Conditional Sentence

  A conditional sentence is an option available to a sentencing court when an individual is convicted of an offence that does not call for a minimum term of imprisonment, and the court imposes a sentence of imprisonment of less than two years. The sentencing court can direct that the term of imprisonment be served in the community subject to the offender complying with a number of conditions.

• Intermittent Sentence

  An "intermittent sentence" is an adult custody sentence option that is not satisfied by remaining incarcerated for consecutive days. Instead the person is confined on certain days (usually weekends) that are interspersed with periods in the community. While in the community during the course of the sentence, the person is required to comply with the conditions of a probation order.

• Custodial Sentence

  This is a sentence that will be served in either a provincial or federal institutions. Sentences of less than two years are served provincially. Longer sentences are served federally.