Defending Domestic Assault Charges

Adam Boni understands the internal policies that dictate crown counsel's handling of these cases, and knows what evidence to marshal and, if necessary, disclose to the crown in order to end these prosecutions even before a trial date is set.

If you or someone you know is facing Domestic Assault Charges
It's Important that You Speak With A Criminal Lawyer Before You Speak With The Authorities.

Call or text us at (416) 873-0510 or use our online form to discuss your situation.

Skills Outside the Courtroom

Former federal prosecutor who understands how prosecutors assess and prepare their cases, and knows how to effectively advocate for you even before a trial is set.

Skills In the Courtroom

Almost three decades of extensive trial experience before Judges and Juries. Proven skill in Charter of Rights litigation and complex cases.

Results That Speak for Themselves

A lengthy track record of achieving excellent results for clients including rare and difficult to achieve remedies such as exclusion of evidence, judicial stays of proceedings, and costs against the crown.

What Others Have To Say About Adam Boni

"Adam did an incredible job. He kept me in the loop as things moved forward, he discussed options and presented plans, and made sure I understood what we were doing and why we were doing it. He led me to a successful end. I highly recommend him!"


5 Star Google Review

Domestic Assault Lawyer in Toronto

Adam Steven Boni is a domestic violence lawyer in Toronto with extensive experience in these cases and over 25 years of courtroom experience. Adam Boni possesses the skills and knowledge and experience to defend you against false allegations of domestic violence.

Mr. Boni also understands the Family Law process in Ontario and has worked closely with Family Law counsel in assisting clients who find themselves before the Criminal and Family courts at the same time.

Defending The Rights of The Accused

Working with private investigators, experts and professional counsellors, Mr. Boni has helped men and women from all walks of life clear their names, and get back on a better path in life.

Adam understands that the impact of a Domestic Assault charge is immediate, emotional, life changing, and that when children are involved in the relationship, the impact of a charge itself can be utterly devastating.

If you or your loved one is charged with a domestic assault, seek out a lawyer with the necessary experience, maturity and skill. Call Adam Steven Boni, LL.B. and let him help you or your loved one prepare their best defence.

Why Do You Need A Criminal Lawyer?

Listen to what someone can to expect when charged with a criminal offence and the role that a lawyer can play in the process.

What is Domestic Assault?

Assault is a crime in Canada by virtue of s.265 and s.266 6 of the Criminal Code. An assault occurs when:

  • without the consent of another person, a person applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly;
  • a person attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or
  • while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation thereof, he accosts or impedes another person or begs.

The phrase "domestic assault" was coined by lawyers and judges to describe those criminal cases where the accused person is in an intimate personal relationship with the complainant. There are no special legal rules that apply to a "domestic assault". It does not require the complainant and accused to be married. It can refer to an alleged assault by a husband against his wife, a young woman against her boyfriend, a mother against her daughter, or a brother against his sister.

If a person is convicted of domestic assault, he or she may face a variety of penalties depending on the seriousness of the assault, the prior criminal history of the accused, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Jail time, fines, probation, counselling and a criminal record are all possible. A criminal record may impact a person's ability to travel and work in certain fields of employment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Assault Charges in Toronto

There is no specific offence of domestic assault in the Criminal Code of Canada. Domestic assault is included within the sections of the Criminal Code dealing with various types of assaults.

What if There Are No Injuries?

There is no requirement that an assault requires that the accused person caused a lasting injury to the complainant. Shoves, pushes, raised hands or weapons, threatening words and gestures, are captured by the definition of assault in Canada. Just because no injury was caused, does not mean that an assault charge cannot be laid or prosecuted in court.

What if Injuries Occur?

If injuries were allegedly suffered by the complainant, the charge of Assault may be upgraded to Assault Causing Bodily Harm or Aggravated Assault depending on the severity of the injuries that were allegedly sustained.

What If a Weapon Is Used?

The offence of Assault with a Weapon occurs when a person carries, uses or threatens to use a weapon or an imitation thereof against another person where a weapon is used as a tool in respect of the force. Raising a hammer, waving a knife, or hitting a person with an object intended to be used as a weapon are examples of Assault with a Weapon.

The use of weapons in a domestic relationship is taken very seriously by the Crown. This offence can be prosecuted as either a Summary Conviction offence, with a maximum penalty of 18 months imprisonment or as an Indictable offence with up to 10 years in prison.

Can the Complainant Control Whether the Accussed Is Arrested?

Police officers are not family counsellors or family referees. When the police are dispatched to a domestic assault scene by a 9-1-1 call, they attend there to do their job, which is to enforce the law. If they form reasonable grounds to believe that a domestic assault has occurred, they will arrest and take the person into custody.

Even if the assault alleged is minimal, such as a push, the police invariably lay a charge, take the accused into custody and impose release conditions to prohibit the accused person:

  • from returning to the family home;
  • from contacting the complainant directly or indirectly verbally, in writing, and electronically;
  • from attending at any place of school, employment or other place where the complainant may be.

The police lay the charge and control this process, not the complainant.

Many people believe that the complainant has a say in whether the accused person should be charged. This is not correct.

Can the Complainant Control Whether the Accused Faces a Trial?

The complainant does not control the court process and does not have a say as to whether the matter should go to trial. This decision belongs to the Crown alone. Crown counsel are subject to strict policy directives and guidelines as to how to proceed with domestic assault charges.

Specialized "Domestic Crown" teams have been set up to ensure consistency of approach and adherence to Ministry policies and guidelines. The Crown is obliged to continue with a prosecution is there is a "reasonable prospect of conviction" and prosecution "is in the public interest". The "public interest" part of the test is weighed "in light of the predominant need to protect the victim".

Crown counsel will consider numerous factors, including:

  • The severity of the assault;
  • The presence of children;
  • A history of police involvement;
  • A history of previous domestic assaults by the accused against the same or different domestic partners;
  • The accused's background;
  • The presence of mental health, drug or alcohol addiction issues;
  • The complainant's wishes;
  • The steps taken by the accused person to address any causes of the alleged behaviour, such as anger management counselling, mental health counselling, pharmacotherapy, addictions treatment

Assault Causing Bodily Harm

Assault Causing Bodily Harm is an upgraded offence of assault in Canada. It is committed by anyone who, in committing an assault, causes bodily harm to the complainant. Bodily harm is defined as any hurt or injury to a person that interferes with the health or comfort of the person and that is "more than merely transient or trifling in nature". This definition captures bruising, cuts, scrapes and broken bones.

This offence is punishable by up to 18 months in jail if the crown elects to proceed by way of summary conviction, or up to 10 years in jail if the crown elects to proceed by Indictment. The sentences imposed for a domestic Assault Causing Bodily Harm will vary depending on several factors including the extent of physical and emotional injury done to the complainant, the prior criminal history of the accused person, and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Assault is the most serious form of assault in Canada. If the accused person allegedly wounded, maimed, disfigured or endangered the life of another person, the accused will face a charge of Aggravated Assault. Aggravated Assault is an Indictable offence and these cases in the domestic context often result in the most severe jail penalties, up to a maximum of 14 years.

Domestic Assault Defence Lawyer Toronto

When your liberty, livelihood and reputation is at stake, trust an experienced trial lawyer.

Toronto Criminal Defence Lawyer

Understanding Your Case

I offer private in person and virtual consultations in a highly confidential setting, so you can regain your peace of mind as quickly as possible. This helps me to develop a proper solicitor-client relationship with you and the ability to effectively and efficiently assess your case.

Resolution

I consider the charges, the strength of the evidence, and your possible defences in consultation with you and experts we may retain to assist with your defence. With this information, I can provide representation that can end a case before it ever reaches the trial court.


Fight for Justice

Don't let a false accusation or a single mistake devastate you and your family. I am a highly experienced trial lawyer who enjoys obtaining results for his clients through difficult negotiations and contested trials. I will fight for you and endeavour to provide you with the best possible outcome.

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Contact Adam Steven Boni Today to Discuss Your Situation

Contact Adam Boni To Discuss Your Case Today