Trusted Domestic Assault Lawyer with a Proven Track Record
Our Location: Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, Milton, Newmarket, Oshawa, and Vaughan
Facing accusations of domestic violence can turn your life upside down, imposing conditions such as no contact with the alleged victim. To protect your rights and ensure a fair trial, hiring an experienced domestic assault lawyer is crucial.
Domestic or spousal assault involves physical force intended to harm a spouse or cohabitant.
Conviction of domestic assault can result in jail time, fines, probation, mandatory counselling, and a criminal record.
If you’ve been arrested in the Greater Toronto Area and charged with domestic assault, it’s crucial to initiate your defense efforts immediately.
Criminal records involving domestic violence offences can affect family law proceedings. Before agreeing to any resolution, consultation with a family lawyer is essential. A domestic assault conviction can have long-term effects, impacting employment prospects and your ability to volunteer or travel.
The Ontario Court of Justice treats domestic assault prosecutions seriously, giving out punishment for these offences. If you’re facing domestic abuse charges, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from an experienced Domestic Assault lawyer.
Understanding Domestic Assault
Domestic assault involves intentional force, used directly or indirectly, on another person without consent. This force typically occurs between intimate partners. It’s viewed as a serious crime in Canada, with potential penalties such as jail time, fines, probation, mandated counselling, and a criminal record.
Why You Need a Domestic Assault Lawyer
The legal process surrounding domestic assault can be complex. Hiring an experienced lawyer is crucial to safeguard your rights and ensure a fair trial. Our team at Kahlon Law is ready to assist, providing comprehensive legal support and helping devise an effective defense strategy.
Kahlon Law offers free consultations so please do not hesitate to contact us today at (844)-978-8444
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Domestic Assault
The criminal justice system in Ontario follows specific guidelines when handling domestic assault cases. For instance, stringent bail conditions, such as a no-contact order, are typically imposed. Furthermore, the police are obligated to press charges if they suspect a domestic assault has occurred, even if the complainant doesn’t wish to proceed.
Implications of a Domestic Assault Charge
The impact of domestic assault charges extends beyond the immediate legal repercussions. It can significantly affect your employment prospects, family relationships, and even your ability to volunteer or travel.
Types of Domestic Assaults
Understanding the specifics of the charge you’re facing is key:
Domestic Aggravated Assault
This involves extreme violence and severe injuries, such as broken bones or major cuts. It is considered the most severe domestic violence offence and carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.
Domestic Assault with a Weapon
This charge is applied when a weapon is used, attempted to be used, or threatened to be used against the complainant. It carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Domestic Assault Causing Bodily Harm
If an assault results in an injury to the complainant, this charge is often applied. It carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
FAQ
The decision to proceed with charges lies solely with the Crown Attorney, not the complainant.
When facing domestic assault charges, a bail hearing is usually held, regardless of previous convictions, to prevent potential risks.
If granted bail, the Court typically imposes strict conditions, such as a no-contact order with the complainant and staying away from the family residence if the complainant lives there. These bail restrictions remain in effect until your case is resolved or modified by a judge.
A defence lawyer will thoroughly review your case, explore potential defences, negotiate with the Crown Attorney, and guide you through the legal process.
Many factors influence this, and each case is unique. A consultation with an experienced criminal defence lawyer can provide you with tailored advice.
A peace bond agreement is one way of resolving domestic assault charges in a manner that favours both the accused and the complainant.
The accused person agrees to abide by the conditions of the peace bond in exchange for a withdrawal of the criminal charges against them.
Prior to entering the peace bond, often the accused person would be required to complete anger management counselling from a court-approved domestic assault programs. The defence lawyer may also be able to negotiate the accused completing private counselling instead, which often can be faster to enroll in and complete.
Some of the most common conditions in peace bond agreements include a prohibition against the possession of weapons and restricted contact with the complainant except with their prior consent. The fact that a peace bond agreement protects the complainants is the primary reason the prosecution uses it before agreeing to withdraw most domestic assault charges.
Keep in mind that entering into a peace bond agreement is not an admission of guilt to the domestic assault charge you’re facing. Rather, it’s a way for you to avoid a conviction and a criminal record. It may have other implications, including family court proceedings. It is important to seek the right legal advice in domestic cases as a conviction may result in severe consequences.
