FIRST OFFENDER? DEFEND DOMESTIC CHARGES.  416-DEFENCE.

Domestic assault charges are of the most common offences before the Court in Brampton. Being charged with any criminal offence can be scary and confusing. When the charge is assault occurring in a domestic relationship, the consequences can be even more serious. In addition to having to attend court, those who have been charged with a domestic assault offence will be barred from contacting their significant other and any other individuals involved in the incident until the case has resolved. This can leave married couples unable to communicate in any way for extended periods of time. Our Firm can assist you in navigating your domestic assault case to ensure the best possible outcome.

A domestic assault is an assault occurring in the context of an intimate relationship, generally between significant others. Domestic assault is a subset of simple assault and does not have its own section in the Criminal Code. Police and the Courts have identified domestic violence as a serious social issue. In 2019 alone, 22 women and children died as a result of domestic violence in Brampton.  As a result, an individual who is charged with domestic assault will generally be prosecuted more harshly than an individual charged with a simple assault. The Crown Policy Manual contains provisions regarding how domestic assault offences should move through the court system.

In addition to prosecuting domestic assault charges with vigor, the police must also lay charges in domestic violence situations regardless of whether or not the complainant is cooperative. In cases where the police are unsure of who the aggressor was, they may charge both individuals. In some situations, this causes innocent individuals to be charged with domestic assault. When charges are laid, a no contact order will be put in place by the Court, leaving the individuals unable to contact one another until the case has resolved. If one of the individuals breaks this no contact order, they may be charged with a criminal offence for breaching the Court’s order.

In some scenarios, individuals who call the police for help end up with criminal charges, unable to contact their spouse. Once the police are called and allegations of assault are made, it is at the police’s discretion whether they will lay charges. This can create scenarios where charges are laid even where the complainant does not wish for their partner to be charged. In addition to defending domestic assault charges, our Firm also has extensive experience restoring communication between families.

In late 2019, the Firm defended two separate domestic assault allegations where the accused individuals had a prior history of domestic assault in R v. A.V. [2019] and R. v. M.R. [2019]. Both cases were resolved without a criminal record.

In 2021, the Firm represented an individual charged with assault and assault with a weapon in the context of a domestic relationship in R. v. J.D. [2021]. The accused was alleged to have assaulted his partner during an argument while holding a kitchen knife. After a no contact order was put in place by the court, the complainant hired independent legal counsel to restore communication with the accused. The Firm and the complainant’s counsel presented a united defence, leading to the withdrawal of the charges.

In January of 2019, after more than a year of litigation, the Firm resolved an assault causing bodily harm charge without a criminal record. In that case, the accused, the son of a CFO fractured the jaw of another individual after an altercation.

In addition to domestic assault charges, the Firm also defends those charged with sexual based offences such as sexual assault. In 2017, the Firm prevented sexual assault charges from being laid against a prominent Toronto realtor accused of sexual assault, after proving that the allegations were false.

Our Firm also devotes a portion of our practice to servicing those charged with criminal harassment. In most cases criminal harassment charges stem from an accused repeatedly making unwanted contact to the complainant by phone, text message, email or over various social media platforms. These situations often occur during the breakdown of an intimate relationship.

In 2016, the Firm secured the withdrawal of a criminal harassment charge against a Hollywood actor accused of sending repeated emails and voicemail messages to an ex-partner.

Our Firm has extensive experience defending assault, domestic assault and sexual assault cases across Ontario. We have defending clients ranging from professionals, to service industry workers and strive to receive only the best results in every case we handle.

Having a complete understanding of the Elements of the Criminal Offence, Your Rights and the Consequences associated with a Criminal Record is necessary before any legal decisions are made.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be Charged with Domestic Assault?
Defence to Domestic Assault Charges in Brampton?
-Consent
-Defence of Person
-Defence of Property
-Reflex Action
Counselling and Domestic Violence Classes
What are the Penalties for a Domestic Assault Conviction in Brampton?

Additional Resources

Assault
Assaulting a Peace Officer
Sexual Assault Law in Canada
Consequences of a Criminal Record
Domestic Abuse
First Offenders
Immigration Consequences
Keeping Charges Private
Travel & US Waivers
Vulnerable Sector Screening
Elements of a Crime
Your Rights

Who can be Charged with Domestic Assault?

Anyone and everyone who is in an intimate relationship may be charged with domestic assault if they assault their partner. Domestic assault is one of the most common charges laid in Peel region and surrounding areas. Our Firm has dealt with a wide array of individuals from blue collar workers, to students, to highly educated professionals. An individual does not have to be married to their partner to be charged with a domestic assault. The relationship need only been categorized as “intimate” which includes everything from married couples to those who are casually dating, to those who have dated in the past. Same-sex couples are also included in this list.

Defences to Domestic Assault Charges in Brampton

The defences available for a domestic assault charge are the same defences available for a simple assault charge. The best defence to a domestic assault charge will depend largely on the facts of the case. In the majority of cases, defendants will come to an agreement with the Crown before the case ever reaches trial. In situations where the allegations against the accused lack veracity or where there is no reasonable prospect of conviction, the Crown may agree to withdrawal the charges against the accused. Peel Region is often known as “no deal Peel” because Crowns are reluctant to make plea bargains favourable to defendants. This is especially true when dealing with domestic assault charges in Peel Region.

Where the allegations are legitimate, however, a more comprehensive defence will be necessary. There are four common defences available for those who have been charged with a domestic abuse offence including;

• Consent
• Defence of person
• Defence of property
• Reflex action

Consent

An individual who has been charged with domestic violence may argue that their partner consented to the alleged assault. This defence is rarely used and will require the alleged victim to testify that they consented to the physical contact.

Defence of Person

As with any assault charge, the defendant may also argue defence of self. Where the complainant was using physical force against the defendant, the defendant is legally entitled to use force to defend themselves. For this defence to be successful, the defendant must convince the Court that they used only the force reasonably necessary to stop their partners attack on them.

Defence of Property

A defendant may also argue defence of property. This defence can be used when the defendant was in “peaceful possession” of property and is being threatened by their intimate partner. If the complainant were trespassing on the defendant’s property or attempting to damage the defendant’s property, the defendant is legally permitted to use force to remove the complainant.

Reflex Action

The final defence available to an individual charged with domestic assault is reflexive action. In rare circumstances, a defendant may be able to argue that their assault on their intimate partner was not an assault because it lacked intent. For the Crown to have a defendant convicted, they must prove not only that the accused committed the physical assault, but also that the defendant intended to assault the complainant. Where the actions of the defendant were reflexive, and thus without any intent, they will not be considered a criminal assault.

Counselling and Domestic Violence Classes

In situations where none of the above defences are deemed viable based on the facts of the case, the defendant may be required to enroll in domestic violence courses either to lessen their sentence or as part of their sentence upon conviction. One common program offered to those charged with domestic assault in Peel Region is the Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program. The PAR Program is a psycho-educational program which combines counselling and education for those who have been accused or convicted of domestic violence.

What are the Penalties for Being Convicted of Domestic Assault in Brampton?

An individual who is charged with a domestic violence offence will face the same penalties as an individual charged with assault, as there is no separate offence for assaults occurring in domestic violence situations. That being said, incidents of domestic assault are often prosecuted more vigorously than other assault offences and those convicted are often sentenced more harshly.

The sentence imposed on an individual will depend on a number of factors including the facts of the case, the history between the complainant and the defendant, the defendant’s criminal history, the defendant’s character and background, the method by which the Crown proceeds with the case and any other relevant aggravating or mitigating factor. In less serious cases, the Crown will proceed summarily. In more serious cases, the Crown will proceed by indictment. The method by which the Crown proceeds will significantly impact the sentence imposed upon the defendant if they are convicted.

In cases where the Crown proceeds by indictment on a simple domestic assault charge, the maximum penalty that may be imposed upon the defendant is five years’ imprisonment. Since this is the same maximum penalty imposed on an individual convicted of assault outside of a domestic situation, the judge will generally view the fact that the assault occurred in a domestic setting as an aggravating factor which will justify imposing a harsher sentence. If the Crown proceeds summarily, the maximum penalty that may be imposed upon the defendant is six months’ imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.

In situations where injuries resulted to the victim as a result of the defendant’s assault or where a weapon was used, the penalties will be increased. An individual charged with assault causing bodily harm or assault with a weapon will be liable to a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment if the Crown proceeds by indictment. A defendant will be liable to a maximum two years less a day imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine if the Crown proceeds summarily. An individual who is convicted of aggravated assault will be liable to a maximum of fourteen years’ imprisonment.

Quick Facts

Can I Contact my Spouse or Partner?

If you have been charged with assaulting your intimate partner, you have almost certainly been ordered by the Court not to have any contact with that person. A no contact order will be put in place in almost all cases of assault, even where the couple is legally married. It is a criminal offence for either party in the relationship to breach the no contact order. If the accused breaches the order, they may have their bail revoked and could face additional charges.

Can I Change my Bail to Contact my Spouse?

In certain circumstances the Court will agree to remove a no contact order to allow the accused and the complainant to have contact. To do this, an application must be put before the Court, and the complainant must provide consent to have the no contact order lifted. Contacting the complainant before the no contact order has been lifted can lead to the accused’s bail being revoked and additional charges being laid.

Can my Partner Drop the Charges?

No. In Canada a complainant cannot ask to have charges withdrawn once they have been laid. Generally, once the police are called and an incident of assault is reported, the accused person will be arrested and charged. Once the accused is arrested the complainant has no say in how the case will proceed and cannot request the charges be dropped.

What is Domestic Assault in Brampton?

In Canada, there is no separate offence in the Criminal Code for domestic assault. Rather, when an individual is charged with an assault that occurred in an intimate relationship, they will be charged with assault under section 266 of the Criminal Code. The fact that the assault occurred in a domestic relationship will be an aggravating factor in the case which can lead to harsher penalties at sentencing.

Can Domestic Assault Charges be Dropped?

Whether or not the Crown will agree to drop a domestic assault charge will depend on a number of factors. An important consideration is whether the Crown believes there is a reasonable prospect of conviction based on the evidence in their possession. Other factors that will determine whether or not an assault charge may be dropped include; the severity of the offence, the severity of any injuries caused to the complainant, the background of the accused, the accused’s criminal history and any other factors the Court deems relevant.

How to get off Domestic Assault Charge

The best way to defend a domestic assault charge will depend largely on the facts of the case and the background of the accused. To prove a domestic assault charge the Crown will be required to present evidence to the Court including a victim statement, and any statements made by the accused. Sometimes, this evidence can be challenged which can result in the Crown being unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Can I see my Kids?

When an individual is charged with domestic assault, they will almost always be ordered not to have contact with the complainant. Where the complainant is the spouse of the accused and the couple live in the same house with children, the accused will almost always be required to move out of the family home until the case has concluded. In these situations, the accused will likely require the assistance of counsel to have the conditions altered.