Final answer:
A criminal offence prosecutable by summary conviction or indictment is called a hybrid offence. Hybrid offences allow the Crown to choose the prosecution method based on the seriousness of the case.
Step-by-step explanation:
A criminal offence which can be prosecuted either by way of summary conviction or indictment is called a hybrid offence. These offences are also known as dual procedure or electable offences. The Crown decides whether to handle the offence summarily, which is a less serious procedure with typically lower penalties, or by indictment, which is used for more serious offences and can result in more significant punishments. Hybrid offences can include crimes such as assault and theft under a certain monetary amount, among others.