Which of the following offences typically allows the accused to choose their mode of trial?

The correct answer is that hybrid offences typically allow the accused to choose their mode of trial. In Canadian criminal law, hybrid offences are those which the Crown can prosecute either as summary conviction offences or as indictable offences. This flexibility means that the accused has the option to select whether they want their case to be tried in a summary court, which is generally quicker and has less severe penalties, or in a higher court through an indictment, which may involve a jury and potentially harsher sentences.

In contrast, summary offences are tried exclusively in a provincial court with limited penalties, while indictable offences generally require a preliminary inquiry and can only be tried in superior courts unless they are specifically allowed as hybrid. Minor offences is not a recognized category within Canadian law, making it an irrelevant option in this context.

Thus, the nature of hybrid offences is what gives the accused their choice regarding the mode of trial, reflecting the legal framework designed to balance the seriousness of the crime with the rights of the accused.