Domestic Assault Lawyers in Toronto & GTA

If you were arrested on a domestic assault charge in Ontario tonight, several things have already happened or are about to happen that you need to understand immediately.

You will almost certainly be subject to a no-contact order preventing you from communicating with your partner and, in many cases, from returning to your own home. The Crown will proceed with this charge regardless of whether the complainant wants it dropped. Your case will usually be handled by a dedicated domestic violence Crown attorney whose caseload is intimate partner violence. And any conviction — or even a finding of guilt without a conviction — can be used against you in divorce and child custody proceedings for years after the criminal case is resolved.

Domestic assault is prosecuted more aggressively than almost any other assault charge in Ontario. Police and Crown policies in Ontario deliberately limit discretion in these cases. What that means for you is that your lawyer’s strategy, credibility with the Crown, and speed of action in the first days after the charge matter more here than in nearly any other criminal matter. Mass Tsang has defended hundreds of domestic assault cases across Toronto and the GTA. Call us now. The consultation is free and available 24/7.

What Is Domestic Assault in Ontario?

There is no offence called “domestic assault” in the Criminal Code of Canada. Domestic assault is prosecuted under the same assault provisions that apply to all assaults — primarily ss. 265 and 266 — but the relationship between the parties is treated as an aggravating factor at sentencing under s. 718.2(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code, and the case is processed through an entirely different court structure and prosecution framework than a non-domestic assault.

A “domestic” or “intimate partner” relationship for these purposes includes current or former spouses, common-law partners, dating partners, and in some cases other household members or family relationships. Same-sex relationships are included. The relationship does not need to be ongoing at the time of the alleged offence.

A domestic assault arrest often results in multiple charges arising from the same incident. Common companion charges include:

Choking, suffocating, or strangling (s. 267(c) — assault causing bodily harm by choking, maximum 10 years on indictment; treated very seriously at bail)
Uttering threats (s. 264.1 — threatening death or bodily harm)
Criminal harassment / stalking (s. 264 — following, watching, communicating)
Mischief to property (s. 430 — breaking a phone, damaging property during an altercation)
Forcible confinement (s. 279(2) — blocking an exit or preventing someone from leaving)
Breach of recognizance (s. 145 — violating a no-contact condition from a prior release)

How Domestic Assault Is Prosecuted Differently

Factor	Regular Assault	Domestic Assault
Prosecution policy	Crown discretion on whether to proceed	Zero-tolerance: Crown proceeds regardless of complainant’s wishes
Bail conditions	Conditions vary by case	Automatic no-contact / no-communication order; often requires leaving the shared home
Bail onus (prior IPV)	Crown bears burden of justifying detention	Reversed onus under Bill C-75 (2019): accused must show cause for release
Sentencing	Standard range for the offence	Intimate partner relationship is an aggravating factor under s. 718.2(a)(ii)
Court	General criminal courts	Dedicated domestic violence Crown attorneys at most GTA courthouses; Toronto’s Integrated Domestic Violence Court for eligible cases
Firearms	No automatic prohibition	Mandatory prohibition if prosecuted by indictment (s. 109); discretionary if summary (s. 110)
Family law impact	Limited direct impact	Criminal record and findings used against accused in custody / divorce proceedings
Electronic monitoring	Rarely ordered	Available under Bill C-233 (2023) for intimate partner violence accused

The same punch that might result in a minor charge for one person can trigger a very different legal process when it occurs between intimate partners.

Bill C-75 (2019): Stricter Bail for Intimate Partner Violence

Amendments to the Criminal Code through Bill C-75 created a reversed onus at bail for accused persons with a prior charged with a violent offence against an intimate partner who have a prior conviction or discharge for intimate partner violence, or who were on a peace bond protecting an intimate partner at the time (s. 515(6)(b.1)). This means that if you have that kind of history, the burden at your bail hearing shifts: instead of the Crown having to justify keeping you in custody, you must show cause why your release would not be justified. An experienced bail counsel who understands this framework is essential from the moment of arrest.

Bill C-233 (2023): Electronic Monitoring

Bill C-233, which received Royal Assent in April 2023, requires a justice, when the Crown asks, to consider ordering electronic monitoring as a release condition for an accused charged with a violent offence, including against an intimate partner (s. 515(4.2)–(4.3). While not yet universally applied, it represents a legislative direction toward stricter bail monitoring in domestic matters and may become more commonly imposed in serious or repeat domestic assault cases in Ontario courts.

What Happens Immediately After a Domestic Assault Arrest

Police Response and the Zero-Tolerance Policy

Ontario police operate under a virtual zero-tolerance policy for domestic calls. When officers attend a domestic disturbance and one party makes a statement that could support a conviction, charges are laid. The officers have almost no discretion to use common sense about whether the incident was minor. A push, a shove, a grabbed arm, a slap, or property being damaged during an argument will result in a charge as reliably as a serious assault will.

This means the charge you are facing may bear little relationship to the actual severity of what occurred. Your lawyer understands this dynamic and knows how to present it to the Crown.

The No-Contact Order: Being Removed from Your Home

At the moment of arrest or release, police will impose a no-contact condition. This typically prohibits any direct or indirect communication with the complainant and, where you share a home, requires you to leave. You may be forced out of your home the same night the charge is laid, without any opportunity to retrieve essential items, arrange accommodation, or speak to your partner.

This is one of the most immediately devastating aspects of a domestic charge, and it is the first thing your lawyer should address. A bail variation application can be brought to modify or lift no-contact conditions where appropriate. The application requires demonstrating to the court that the conditions should be changed — often supported by evidence of the complainant’s wishes, the living situation, any children involved, and the absence of a risk of harm.

If you have been removed from your home under a no-contact order, call Mass Tsang immediately. Bail variations can be brought on short notice and are among the most important early steps in a domestic assault defence.

Specialized Domestic Violence Prosecution at GTA Courthouses

Most GTA-area courthouses assign domestic assault files to dedicated Domestic Violence Crown Attorneys rather than general criminal Crowns — Brampton's domestic violence Crown team is one well-documented example. These prosecutors handle nothing but intimate partner violence files, follow prosecution guidelines that are far less flexible than general criminal Crowns, and have seen every scenario. Knowing how to negotiate effectively within that framework — and when to fight rather than negotiate — requires specific experience in domestic assault defence.

Toronto also has a separate, specific court for a narrower group of cases: the Integrated Domestic Violence Court (IDVC), based at 10 Armoury Street for the criminal side, lets a single judge hear both a summary-conviction domestic assault charge and a related family-law matter (custody, parenting time, support, or a restraining order) together — available only where the accused is not in custody. If you have an open family court matter alongside your criminal charge, ask your lawyer whether your case qualifies.

When the Complainant Wants the Charges Dropped

This is one of the most common questions a domestic assault lawyer receives. The short answer is: the Crown’s decision to proceed is independent of the complainant’s wishes. The charge belongs to the Crown, not to the person who called the police.

That said, the complainant’s position matters — it is one factor the Crown weighs in deciding whether to proceed. A complainant who actively does not want to testify and has provided a sworn statement to that effect creates a more difficult case for the Crown to prosecute. Your lawyer’s job is to understand the Crown’s decision-making process and present the circumstances of your case in a way that makes withdrawal the most logical outcome.

What can actually influence the Crown’s decision to withdraw:

The complainant provides a sworn statement or affidavit confirming they do not wish to proceed and explaining the context of the incident. This can be prepared with the assistance of a lawyer — not to pressure the complainant, but to ensure their statement is received and considered by the Crown.
The incident was minor, there is no history of violence in the relationship, and there is no reasonable basis to believe the conduct will recur.
The accused has taken concrete steps — counselling, anger management, no prior criminal record — that reduce the Crown’s concern about future risk.
The evidence available to the Crown, absent the complainant’s cooperation, is insufficient to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Peace Bond: What It Is and When It’s the Right Outcome

The accused enters into a recognizance — a formal court undertaking — to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a specified period, typically 12 months but sometimes longer. The assault charge is then withdrawn by the Crown. The accused does not admit guilt. If the accused complies with the terms of the peace bond throughout its duration, there is no conviction and no criminal record arising from the domestic assault charge.

Common peace bond conditions in domestic cases:

Keep the peace and be of good behaviour
No contact or communication, directly or indirectly, with the complainant — though this condition can be negotiated where both parties wish to continue the relationship
No weapons possession
Attendance at counselling or anger management
No consumption of alcohol or drugs in some cases

When is a peace bond the right outcome?

A peace bond makes sense where: the charge is relatively minor; the client has no prior record; the complainant supports resolution by peace bond; a conviction would have significant consequences (employment, immigration, custody) that outweigh the benefit of going to trial; and where the evidence at trial is not clearly insufficient to convict.

It is not always the right outcome. Where the evidence is weak, a complainant is unwilling to testify, or there are clear Charter violations in how the evidence was obtained, a trial — and an acquittal — may be the better result. Every case is different and the strategy should be built on the specific facts.

What Our Clients Say

Mussi H

I had an outstanding experience with Alexei, who played a crucial role in proving my innocence against 3 false domestic charges. During that stressful period, especially as I was starting a family with my fiancée, the uncertainty of the outcome weighed heavily on me. Alexei’s dedication and professionalism not only secured a favorable outcome but also gave me peace of mind and preserved my reputation. One of the aspects that stood out the most was Alexei’s excellent communication—he was always prompt in following up and keeping me updated with any new developments. I am extremely thankful for Alexei for being there for me during this difficult time in my life. I highly recommend Alexei for anyone facing domestic assault charges or any criminal allegations. If you’re going through similar challenges, don’t wait—reach out to Alexei and have confidence that he will do his utmost to help you, he is an amazing lawyer and person to deal with.

Dukuray Man

My domestic case been solve without me attending any courts they drop all my charges.

Hong Loong

I highly recommend Evan and the Mass Tsang Law firm. They patiently answered all of my questions and took the time to make sure I understood every step of the process. Throughout my case, Evan kept me informed and was always available to address my concerns. Whenever additional expertise or resources were needed, he brought in the right people to strengthen my case, which showed his commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. Most importantly, I felt like I was in good hands. Evan‘s professionalism, knowledge and dedication gave me peace of mind during a very stressful time. If you’re looking for a criminal defence lawyer who genuinely cares about his clients and works tirelessly on their behalf, I highly recommend Evan and the staff at Mass Tsang.

Lindsay Pountney

Evan is an amazing lawyer. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and expertise you brought to my case. Your professionalism and commitment to achieving the best outcome were truly impressive. Thank you for your hard work and support throughout this process.
Would 100% recommend

Victor Diep

Alexei Zaitsev helped me with my case. He was incredibly professional and helped me with every step of the way. He took a lot of care in preparing me for the trial and answered any questions i had. He would always find time for me throughout the week to go through mock trials and made sure i was absolutely prepared. At first the case seemed hopeless with everything stacked up against me, but when it came down to it Alexei really pulled through and won the case. I could not be more happy with the result and choosing Alexei as my lawyer.

Andrej Kopp

Won.

Defences to Domestic Assault Charges

Every domestic assault case is different. These are the defences most commonly available in Ontario domestic assault matters:

Factual Innocence / Alibi

Where the assault did not occur as alleged — or did not occur at all — the defence is factual innocence. This may be supported by alibi evidence (the accused was not present), physical evidence inconsistent with the Crown’s account, or witness evidence contradicting the complainant.

Self-Defence (s. 34 Criminal Code)

Where the accused used force in response to force being applied to them by the complainant, self-defence is available. The key elements are: a belief on reasonable grounds that force was being or was about to be used, and a response that was reasonable in the circumstances. Courts consider the size and strength of the parties, whether weapons were present, the history of the relationship, and what alternatives were available. Many domestic assault charges arise from mutual confrontations where the accused was also injured — this is relevant to both self-defence and to the credibility of the complainant’s account.

Defence of Another (s. 34 Criminal Code)

Where the accused used force to protect a child or other person from being assaulted, the defence of another may be available. The same reasonableness standard as self-defence applies. This defence arises more commonly in domestic matters involving children who were also present during an incident.

Consent

Consent is a complete defence to assault. Where the physical contact occurred with the complainant’s consent — express or implied by the nature of the relationship and circumstances — no assault occurred. Note that the courts limit consent as a defence where bodily harm was both intended and caused.

Accident / Lack of Intent

An assault requires intentional application of force. Where the physical contact was accidental, involuntary, or a reflex, no assault has occurred. This defence is available where the evidence supports that the contact was unintentional.

Complainant Credibility

In most domestic assault cases, the only evidence of the assault is the complainant’s account. Prior inconsistent statements — between the 911 call, the initial police statement, the KGB statement, and trial testimony — are powerful tools for challenging the reliability of the Crown’s case. Motives for fabrication, bias arising from separation or custody disputes, and inconsistencies between the complainant’s account and the physical evidence are all fertile grounds for cross-examination.

Charter Violations

Where the accused’s rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated during the investigation or arrest — unlawful search, failure to inform of the right to counsel under s. 10(b), arbitrary detention, or improper collection of statements — evidence obtained may be excluded. A Charter application can result in evidence being ruled inadmissible and, where that evidence is necessary to the Crown’s case, the charge being dismissed.

Unreasonable Delay (Jordan Application, s. 11(b))

If the elapsed time between the laying of the charge and the end of trial exceeds the presumptive ceiling — 18 months in the Ontario Court of Justice, 30 months in the Superior Court of Justice — a stay of proceedings may be available. Domestic assault cases often involve lengthy court backlogs, particularly where multiple charges are laid and the disclosure volume is substantial. Mass Tsang monitors delay carefully from the outset of every file.

Consequences of a Domestic Assault Conviction

Criminal Record

A domestic assault conviction results in a criminal record that stays unless a record suspension is granted, which can only be applied for five years after the sentence ends for a summary conviction, or ten years for an indictable one. Unlike some less serious offences, a domestic assault conviction signals to future employers, landlords, professional licensing bodies, and courts that you were convicted of violence against an intimate partner. The record appears on vulnerable sector checks (required for work with children or vulnerable adults), standard police information checks, and CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) queries.

Mandatory Firearms Prohibition (s. 109 Criminal Code)

A conviction or discharge for an indictable offence involving violence against an intimate partner, or for any violent indictable offence carrying 10 years or more, triggers a mandatory firearms prohibition under s. 109 of the Criminal Code. Where the Crown proceeds summarily, a prohibition is discretionary (s. 110). For a first conviction, ordinary firearms are prohibited for a minimum of 10 years after release from imprisonment (or after conviction, if no imprisonment is imposed), while any prohibited or restricted firearm is banned for life. A second qualifying conviction extends the prohibition on every firearm type to life. Possession of a firearm during a s. 109 prohibition is itself a serious criminal offence. If you currently hold a firearms licence (PAL), a conviction will result in its immediate revocation.

Family Law: Divorce, Custody, and Access

A domestic assault conviction — or even a finding of fact about domestic violence in criminal proceedings — can be used against you in Family Court. Under s. 24 of the Children’s Law Reform Act and the Divorce Act, a court considering custody and parenting time must consider any family violence and its impact on the child. A criminal record for domestic assault is direct evidence of family violence that a family court judge is required to weigh. The criminal proceeding and the family proceeding are separate, but what happens in one court follows you into the other.

Immigration Status (IRPA s. 36)

For permanent residents, temporary workers, international students, and citizenship applicants, a domestic assault conviction may trigger inadmissibility under s. 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Assault under s. 266 carries a maximum sentence of 5 years — which places it within the “criminality” category under IRPA for foreign nationals, including temporary workers and international students; permanent residents are generally affected only by “serious criminality” (10-year maximum, or a sentence over six months). Assault causing bodily harm (s. 267) carries 10 years, placing it in the “serious criminality” category, which can result in loss of permanent residence status and a removal order. The immigration consequences of a domestic assault charge must be considered in every strategic decision.

US Travel

Canadian criminal records are accessible to US Customs and Border Protection through information-sharing arrangements with the RCMP and CBSA. A domestic assault conviction — even for a minor offence — may result in denial of entry to the United States. Even charges that were withdrawn, stayed, or resulted in an absolute discharge may appear in US border records. If cross-border travel is important to you professionally or personally, discuss the full implications with your lawyer before making any decision about a resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Assaults

There is no separate offence of “domestic assault” in the Criminal Code. Domestic assault is prosecuted under the general assault provisions (ss. 265 and 266) but the intimate partner relationship triggers a different prosecution framework, stricter bail conditions, and an aggravating factor at sentencing under s. 718.2(a)(ii). Anyone in a current or former intimate partner relationship — married, common-law, dating, or separated — can be charged with domestic assault. Either party in the relationship can be the accused.

In most cases, yes — at least initially. A no-contact order is almost automatically imposed as a bail condition in domestic assault cases, and where the accused and complainant share a home, the accused is generally required to vacate. This can happen the night of the arrest. Your lawyer can bring a bail variation application to modify or lift the no-contact condition where the complainant supports the variation and the court is satisfied that doing so is appropriate. These applications can be brought on relatively short notice.

The Integrated Domestic Violence Court (IDVC) is Toronto's single specialized court that lets one judge hear both a person's summary-conviction domestic assault charge and a related family-law matter — custody, parenting time, support, or a restraining order — together, rather than in two separate courtrooms. It's only available where the accused isn't in custody. More broadly, most GTA-area courthouses — Brampton included — assign domestic assault files to dedicated Domestic Violence Crown Attorneys who handle nothing but intimate partner violence cases, even outside the IDVC itself. Ask your lawyer whether your case qualifies for the IDVC or is being handled by a courthouse's dedicated domestic violence Crown team.

A peace bond under s. 810 of the Criminal Code is not a conviction and does not result in a criminal record. You do not plead guilty. You enter into a court undertaking to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, typically for 12 months, in exchange for the Crown withdrawing the charge. If you comply with the terms, the matter ends with no criminal record. A peace bond is often the best available outcome where the Crown will not withdraw outright, particularly where the consequences of a conviction — immigration, employment, custody — would be severe.

Call a criminal defence lawyer before doing anything else. Do not give any statement to police. Do not contact the complainant — doing so likely violates your bail conditions and could result in additional charges. Do not post anything on social media about the incident. Preserve any evidence that supports your account: text messages, emails, photographs, video recordings, or names of witnesses. And if you have been removed from your home under a no-contact condition, your lawyer should be looking at a bail variation immediately.

Yes — potentially severely. Assault under s. 266 (maximum 5 years) falls within the general “criminality” category under s. 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for foreign nationals; permanent residents are generally affected only by “serious criminality”. Assault causing bodily harm (s. 267, maximum 10 years) is “serious criminality” and can result in loss of permanent residence and a removal order. If you are not a Canadian citizen, the immigration consequences of your charge must be discussed with your criminal defence lawyer before any resolution — including a guilty plea or even a peace bond — is agreed to.

No. The decision to proceed with or withdraw a domestic assault charge rests with the Crown Attorney, not the complainant. Once a charge is laid, it belongs to the Crown. Ontario Crowns operate under a zero-tolerance framework and will often proceed even where the complainant has recanted or does not want the matter to continue. However, a complainant’s sworn statement that they do not wish to proceed, combined with other favourable factors, can influence the Crown’s decision. Your lawyer navigates this process.

A no-contact order is a condition of your bail or recognizance that prohibits you from communicating with the complainant, directly or indirectly. It is not the same as a restraining order under civil law. To vary a no-contact condition, your lawyer brings a bail variation application to the court that imposed the original conditions. The application typically requires the complainant’s written consent to the variation, evidence of a safe living arrangement, and in some cases a letter or affidavit from a third party familiar with the relationship. Variations are not guaranteed, but they are regularly granted where properly supported.

Not automatically — but it is a real possibility depending on the severity of the charge and the circumstances. For a first offence of simple assault under s. 266, a conditional discharge or suspended sentence without custody is achievable for many clients with no prior record. Where the charge is assault causing bodily harm (s. 267) or or involves choking (s. 267(c)), the risk of custody increases significantly even on a first offence. The quality of your legal representation and the strength of your defence directly affects the outcome.

Significantly. Under the Divorce Act and the Children’s Law Reform Act, a court determining parenting arrangements must consider any family violence and its impact on the child. A criminal conviction for domestic assault is direct evidence of family violence that the family court judge is required to weigh — it can result in reduced or supervised access, changes to custody arrangements, and restrictions on parenting time. Even without a conviction, a finding of guilt in criminal court can be referenced in family proceedings. The two proceedings are legally separate but practically intertwined.

Recantation by the complainant does not automatically result in the charges being withdrawn. The Crown may choose to call the complainant as a hostile witness and rely on their original statement to police as evidence, rather than their recantation at trial. A complainant who recants under pressure from the accused also risks being charged with obstruction of justice. The most effective approach is for the complainant to retain independent legal counsel, provide a sworn statement to the Crown outlining their position, and allow the defence lawyer to negotiate on the basis of that evidence.

This depends entirely on the specific facts of your case: the severity of the alleged assault, the strength of the Crown’s evidence, whether the complainant supports withdrawal, the accused’s background and prior record, and whether there are any Charter issues with how the evidence was obtained. Mass Tsang has achieved withdrawals, acquittals, peace bond resolutions, and discharges in domestic assault cases across the GTA. The honest answer is that a proper assessment requires a lawyer to review your disclosure. Call us for a free consultation.

YOUR DOMESTIC ASSAULT DEFENCE LAWYERS

Robbie Tsang

Domestic Assault Defence Lawyer

Managing Partner

Robbie Tsang is a partner at Mass Tsang LLP and one of the firm’s lead defence counsel for domestic assault matters. He has defended intimate partner violence charges at every level of Ontario court, from bail hearings before Justices of the Peace to contested trials before Superior Court justices. Robbie has brought successful Charter applications, bail variation applications in domestic assault cases across Toronto, Brampton, Scarborough, North York, and Newmarket.

Jeff Mass

Domestic Assault Defence Lawyer

Managing Partner

Jeff Mass is the founding and managing partner of Mass Tsang LLP, with over 30 years of criminal defence experience in Ontario. He has defended domestic assault cases at every level of court, including Superior Court trials involving serious charges such as aggravated assault and choking. Jeff’s experience with complex domestic files — particularly those involving multiple charges, contested credibility, and significant consequences for immigration or family law proceedings — is a significant asset in the firm’s most demanding domestic assault files.

24/7 Free Initial Consultation

If you or a loved one is facing domestic assault charges, secure the best means of defending yourself by contacting the domestic assault lawyers at Mass Tsang immediately. Read on to learn more about how Ontario courts address domestic assault cases, the potential penalties imposed upon conviction, and how your Toronto-area domestic assault lawyer can help you beat the charges.

Call Now at 416-781-1148 or

Facing Domestic Assault Charges? MassTsang’s Team is here to help! Check out our latest domestic assault cases:

R. v. S.H. (OLD CITY HALL, TORONTO)

Allegations: Assault (Domestic), Choking to Overcome Resistance (s. 246)

Defence: Conducted a thorough review of all Crown disclosure, identifying significant inconsistencies between the complainant’s 911 call, her initial written statement to police, and the officer’s notes from the scene. Presented those inconsistencies to the Crown in a detailed brief prior to trial and challenged the reliability of all Crown evidence.

Result: Choking charge withdrawn by Crown. Acquittal entered on the Assault charge at trial.

R. v. V.T. (ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE, TORONTO — 10 ARMOURY STREET)

Allegations: Assault (Domestic), Uttering Threats

Defence: Filed a Jordan application establishing that the combined institutional and Crown-caused delay had exceeded the 18-month presumptive ceiling applicable to Ontario Court of Justice matters. Demonstrated through a detailed chronology that no delay was attributable to any act or omission of the defence.

Result: All charges stayed for unreasonable delay under s. 11(b) of the Charter.

R. v. A.I. (ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE, TORONTO — 10 ARMOURY STREET)

Allegations: Assault (Intimate Partner), Mischief Under $5,000

Defence: Advanced a self-defence argument supported by photographic evidence and medical records documenting injuries sustained by the client during the same incident. Established through cross-examination of the complainant and the attending officer that the complainant had been the initial physical aggressor, and that the client’s response was proportionate and defensive in nature.

Result: Acquittal on both charges. Trial judge found the self-defence claim credible and not rebutted by the Crown.

R. v. O.F. (ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE, BRAMPTON — 7755 HURONTARIO ST)

Allegations: Assault (Domestic), Assault with a Weapon

Defence: Challenged the complainant’s credibility through cross-examination, adducing evidence of materially inconsistent statements made in separate proceedings unrelated to this matter. Presented character evidence and documentation of the client’s stable employment history and absence of any prior criminal record.

Result: Assault with a Weapon charge withdrawn by Crown. Acquittal entered on the Assault charge.

R. v. C.B. (ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE, TORONTO — 10 ARMOURY STREET)

Allegations: Assault (Domestic), Criminal Harassment

Defence: Negotiated with the Crown by presenting detailed evidence of the client’s mental health treatment, stable employment, and absence of prior criminal record. Raised with the Crown the significant collateral consequences a conviction would have on the client’s immigration status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Result: All charges withdrawn. Client entered into a Peace Bond. No criminal record.

R. v. L.M. (ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE, NEWMARKET — 50 EAGLE ST W)

Allegations: Assault Causing Bodily Harm (Domestic), Breach of Recognizance

Defence: Secured independent medical evidence that challenged the Crown’s characterization of the complainant’s injuries as caused by the alleged conduct of the client. Cross-examined the first officer on scene regarding discrepancies between the notes recorded at the time and the officer’s trial testimony, undermining the reliability of the Crown’s foundational evidence.

Result: Assault Causing Bodily Harm reduced to simple Assault. Absolute discharge granted — no criminal record.

LATEST ARTICLES ABOUT DOMESTIC ASSAULT CHARGES

GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Get in touch with Mass Tsang and their domestic violence lawyers to discuss your case – from bail hearing to trial. The first consultation is free of charge

Domestic Assault Lawyers in Toronto