When does treason become high treason?

skysmom65

IN CANADA: The Canadian Criminal Code has two degrees of treason, called "high treason" and "treason." However both of these belong to the historical category of high treason, as opposed to petty treason which does not exist in Canadian law. Read more to see explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treason Sep 15 06, 5:03 PM

peasypod

Going a little further, there was, once, a difference between the two. Petty treason was considered applicable to 'the act of killing a lawful superior' for example, your employer, as opposed to attempting to kill your Head of State. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_treason Sep 15 06, 5:09 PM

darkpresence

I heard somewhere, years ago, that high crimes are those committed during wartime but I haven't been able to confirm it. Sep 18 06, 3:43 PM

elburcher

High treason or treason proper: Violation by a subject of his allegiance to his sovereign or to the state. Petit or petty treason, treason against a subject; spec. the murder of one to whom the murderer owes allegiance, as of a master by his servant, a husband by his wife, etc. Sep 21 06, 9:11 PM