What type of offences are considered summary offences?

Summary offences refer to minor crimes that are typically punishable by fines or short terms of imprisonment, usually less than six months. These offences are dealt with in lower courts, and the legal proceedings are generally faster and less formal compared to more serious charges. Examples might include minor theft, public disorder, or petty traffic violations.

The distinction from other types of offences is significant, as summary offences do not carry the same level of severity or potential consequences as indictable offences, which can involve major crimes with longer prison sentences. Non-custodial penalties, while relevant to some offences, do not exclusively define summary offences since they can still involve short custodial sentences. Furthermore, crimes warranting immediate arrest may cover both serious and minor offences; however, summary offences are not categorized by the necessity of immediate arrest. Thus, the key characteristic of summary offences is their relatively minor nature and associated penalties, making option B the most accurate choice.