Assault Causing Bodily Harm Lawyer

Penalties for Assault Causing Bodily Harm

The penalty for a conviction of assault causing bodily harm hinges on the prosecutor’s choice between indictment or summary proceedings. Here are the potential penalties upon conviction:

Indictment

If convicted under indictment, the sentence could extend to a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment. Other available sentencing options include discharge, a fine with probation, a suspended sentence, imprisonment with a fine, an intermittent sentence, and combinations thereof. Notably, a conditional sentence is not an option under indictment proceedings.

Summary Conviction

In cases where the Crown proceeds summarily, the maximum penalty may be up to two years less a day of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Similar to indictment proceedings, other sentencing options include suspended sentence, fine with probation, discharge, fine, imprisonment with fine, and intermittent sentence. Further, a conditional sentence may be considered in summary conviction offences.

It’s worth noting that some aggravating factors may increase the likelihood of jail time. These factors include:

• You committed the offence while out on bail
• You committed the assault causing bodily harm in a domestic setting
• You are not a Canadian resident
• You committed the offence in association with or for the benefit of a criminal organization
• You used a prohibited firearm in the assault, causing bodily harm

Remember, assault causing bodily harm is an indictable offence like sexual assault, aggravated assault, and more. These crimes are associated with harsh penalties. Therefore, you need to work with our experienced lawyers to ensure you get the best possible outcome.

Legal Consequences Beyond Criminal Penalties

Beyond the direct criminal penalties, a conviction for assault causing bodily harm can trigger a cascade of lasting consequences that affect various facets of the accused person’s life. These consequences extend beyond the courtroom and may profoundly affect the individual’s future personal and professional life. These include:

Criminal Record

A conviction for assault causing bodily harm results in a permanent criminal record. This stained record casts a dark shadow over the accused person’s employment opportunities, travel prospects, and social standing. Background checks for job applications, volunteer work, or professional licenses may reveal the offence. This can hinder the person’s career advancement and cause societal stigma.

Immigration Status

Non-Canadian citizens convicted of an assault causing bodily harm may face the risk of deportation or become inadmissible to Canada. A criminal record can jeopardize your immigration status, leading to potential removal from the country and limitations on future travel or residency options. Therefore, if you are accused of aggravated assault or any form of assault causing bodily harm, work with a lawyer who can protect your rights.

Civil Lawsuits

Victims of assault causing bodily harm retain the right to pursue civil litigation against the accused person. These lawsuits seek financial compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages or earning capacity. Civil judgments can result in significant financial burdens beyond criminal fines or penalties.

Probation and Community Service

As part of the sentence, the court may impose probation and community service requirements. Probation entails strict supervision and compliance with specified conditions. These conditions include regular check-ins with a probation officer, refraining from alcohol or drug use, or attending counselling or rehabilitation programs.

Community service mandates the performance of unpaid work within the community. This can disrupt the individual’s daily routine and commitments.

No-Contact Orders

In convictions involving assault causing bodily harm, courts often issue no-contact orders that prohibit the accused from contacting the victim directly or indirectly. Violation of these orders constitutes a separate offence and can lead to further legal consequences such as imprisonment or extended probation. Such orders may disrupt personal relationships, cohabitation arrangements, or child custody agreements. This adds strain to familial and social dynamics.

The broader legal implications of assault causing bodily harm underscores the necessity of strategic legal representation. At Costa Law, we provide comprehensive counsel to navigate the complexities of criminal proceedings and mitigate the far-reaching consequences of conviction. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to protect your rights and advocate for the most favourable outcome.

Possible Defence Strategies

Navigating assault causing bodily harm charges demands a strong defence strategy tailored to the details of each case. Our lawyers at Costa Law have a track record of successful defence, backed by many years of experience and an unwavering commitment to protecting our clients’ rights. Here are key legal defences we may use:

Identity Defence

False accusations and mistaken identity are common in aggravated assault charges. Unfortunately, they can lead to wrongful charges. Our legal team will carefully analyze the circumstances of your case, and any suspicion of mistaken identity will be identified. This will allow us to raise an identity defence.

This defence hinges on proving your absence from the scene of the offence through corroborating evidence, such as alibis or witness testimony. A successful identity defence can dismantle the prosecution’s case based on flawed identification.

Self Defense

Under certain circumstances, responding to force with force is permissible under the doctrine of self-defence. Depending on all the circumstances of your case, we can adeptly argue self-defence by demonstrating the presence of an “air of reality” to your belief in facing imminent harm, supported by reasonable grounds.

Your actions must be objectively reasonable in the context of the perceived threat. By successfully establishing self-defence justifies your conduct, we can get you an acquittal.

Defence of Another

Suppose you intervened to protect someone else from an unlawful attack and responded with force in defence without intent to cause death or grievous bodily harm. In that case, the defence of another may apply even when you are charged with an aggravated assault.

Successfully raising this defence justifies your actions and leads to acquittal. Remember, it’s crucial to show that your response was necessary to safeguard another individual.

Reflex Action

Involuntary physical actions triggered by external stimuli constitute reflex actions. The Crown must establish both actus reus and mens rea for an assault causing bodily harm conviction. A reflexive action, being involuntary, negates the requisite intent for a conviction. To raise this defence successfully, we must demonstrate that your action was an involuntary response beyond your control, akin to an automatic reaction to nerve stimulation.

De Minimis

The de minimis non curat lex simply means “the law does not concern itself with trifles.” This principle may provide a defence if your actions are deemed trivial and inconsequential. So, it is possible to show that the act in question falls under this principle, and that can lead to acquittal. However, courts typically apply this defence sparingly in cases involving aggravated assault, sexual assault, and other forms of violence.

Defence of Property

Section 35 of the Criminal Code allows defendants to raise the defence of property in assault causing bodily harm charges or cases. This defence arises when an individual’s peaceful possession of the property is threatened or when defending against trespass or damage.

To succeed, our lawyers must demonstrate that the force used was reasonable in response to the threat posed to the accused’s property. While less commonly invoked, this defence remains a viable option under appropriate circumstances.

Applicable Charter Defenses

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees certain rights before and after arrest. Any violation of these rights by the police, whether intentional or inadvertent, can strengthen your defence.

According to section 24(2) of the Charter, all the evidence obtained through Charter breaches can be excluded, potentially weakening the Crown’s case against you. Our experienced legal team will carefully assess the police conduct and leverage Charter protections to your advantage.

Count on our experienced assault causing bodily harm lawyer to create a strategic defence tailored to your assault case. With our experience, competence, and steadfast advocacy, we stand by your side to protect your rights and obtain the best possible outcome.