WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious offence and is any use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, by your partner or ex-partner, relatives, same-sex partners, children and parents. Being married does not make a person immune to crimes of stalking, harassing, pushing, threatening, and hitting another person. It also includes threats to harm children or other members of a family.

Domestic violence may be a one-time occurrence but often times is a pattern. Sometimes the events may be rather minor at first glance, but when considering the big picture, add up to make a pattern of abuse. A good defense lawyer may be able to convince the Crown that this was a one-off incident.

What Is The Crown’s Approach To Domestic Assault Cases?

In general, domestic charges in Ontario are treated with an aggressive zero-tolerance approach by police and the Crown Attorney. If your case is determined to be domestic in nature, the degree of seriousness that the Crown will approach the case will be elevated. This also can mean that your ability to be granted bail may be more difficult and if bail is achieved, the proposed conditions will often be strict.

Resolving Your Case Effectively And Minimizing Negative Consequences Is Our Approach

It is important to retain legal counsel as soon as possible in domestic violence charges since often subtle or significant issues arise from the outset which may have dire consequences. Often times, the overwhelming goal of all the effected parties in domestic violence cases is to restore the domestic unit.

An experienced lawyer can assist in making this happen in some instances.

At our firm we make our best efforts to restore things to the way they were before when that is the desired outcome. We do this by working with the Crown Attorney on the file to work towards bail conditions that are practical and fair and an agreeable resolution.