(law, Britain, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong) An offence which can only be tried on an indictment after a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is a prima facie case to answer or by a grand jury, in contrast to a summary offence.

(law, Britain, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong) A crime in some common law jurisdictions that can be proceeded against summarily, without the right to a jury trial and/or indictment, as required for an indictable offence.

One's own offence.

Commonwealth of Nations spelling of capital offense.

(law) A crime in common-law jurisdictions that may be prosecuted either summarily or as indictment.

Alternative form of cognizable offence

(India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, criminal law) a criminal offence, usually serious in nature, that the offender may be arrested without warrant.

(criminal law, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, historical in UK) a criminal offence such that the offender may be arrested without warrant.

(British spelling) Alternative form of lesser included offense

Synonym of hybrid offence