Charged with Assault in Ontario?
Get Experienced Defence Fast
An assault charge can affect your freedom, your record, your job, and your immigration status. The decisions you make in the first 48 hours matter. We’re here to help you make the right ones.
- All consultations are strictly confidential.
What's at stake, and why acting fast matters
Assault charges can have immediate consequences. Release conditions may restrict where you live, who you may contact, and, in some cases, your ability to work. At the same time, police evidence is being collected and the Crown is beginning to assess the case. Early legal advice can help identify the issues, preserve relevant evidence, address restrictive conditions, and determine the appropriate defence strategy.
We represent clients facing the following:
- Simple Assault (ss. 265–266)An allegation of intentionally applying force without consent, or threatening or attempting to do so. Simple assault can arise from something as brief as a push, confrontation, or heated dispute.
- Domestic Assault (ss. 265–266, domestic context)It is the same legal charge as simple assault, but in a domestic context. It triggers specialized Crown policies, automatic no-contact conditions, and family law complications. We coordinate criminal and family strategies together.
- Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm (s. 267)These charges arise where a weapon is used or carried during an assault, or where the assault causes bodily harm. Everyday objects may qualify as weapons depending on how they are used. These offences are more serious than simple assault and can carry significantly greater consequences.
- Aggravated Assault (s. 268)One of the most serious assault offences, aggravated assault involves wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of another person. The potential consequences are severe and call for careful legal assessment from the outset.
- Related charges we also handleUttering threats (s. 264.1), mischief (s. 430), unlawful confinement (s. 279(2)).
What To Do (and Not Do) After Being Charged
If you've been charged or expect to be, these steps protect your case:
Do not contact the complainant or any witnesses. If there is a no-contact condition on your release, a breach creates an entirely new charge. Any communication with the other party should go through your lawyer.
Get legal advice before you speak with the police about the incident. You have the right to silence. Statements made without legal advice — even ones that seem helpful — can be used against you.
Preserve everything. Photos of injuries, text messages, call logs, CCTV camera locations, and witness names. Evidence disappears quickly.
Write down what happened. A private, confidential account written while events are fresh is valuable. Share it only with your lawyer.
Tell us immediately about any immigration, employment, or licensing concerns. The consequences of a conviction go beyond the courtroom; we factor all of this into your defence strategy from the start.
How we build your defence
Every case starts with a full review of the evidence against you. We look for what the Crown has — and what it's missing.
Defences we explore include the following:
- Self-defence
Canadian law permits reasonable defensive action where a person reasonably believes that force or a threat of force is being used against them. We assess the circumstances of the incident to determine whether self-defence may apply. - Credibility and reliability
Assault cases often depend on conflicting accounts of what occurred. We examine the consistency and reliability of the complainant’s evidence, any motive to fabricate, and whether the account is supported or contradicted by the surrounding evidence. - Consent
In some contexts, including mutual altercations or contact sports, consent is a legitimate defence.
- Lack of intentNot every physical contact amounts to assault. Where the contact was accidental or the required intent is absent, the elements of the offence may not be established.
- Charter violationsIf your Charter rights were violated during arrest, detention, search, or questioning, we assess whether the breach may support the exclusion of evidence or another appropriate remedy.
- Weaknesses in the Crown’s Case The Crown must prove every essential element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Inconsistencies, missing evidence, unreliable evidence, or other weaknesses may prevent that burden from being met.
How your case moves forward
- Bail and releaseWe advise immediately on release conditions, no-contact terms, and how to comply without disrupting your life. Where conditions need to be varied, we move on quickly.
- Disclosure review
We review everything: police notes, 911 audio, video footage, medical reports, and witness statements. We identify gaps and inconsistencies before the Crown does. - Crown pre-trialWe present your strengths and any mitigating factors. Where appropriate, we pursue withdrawal, peace bond, diversion, or discharge — before the case ever goes to trial.
- Judicial pre-trialIf needed, we appear before a judge to narrow the issues, lock in timelines, and explore resolution with judicial input.
- Trial or resolutionIf we go to trial, we’re ready. Charter motions, evidentiary challenges, cross-examination, and final submissions — everything is prepared thoroughly and in advance.
Why Clients Choose Us
Vahid Yeganeh
Criminal Defence Lawyer
Vahid represents clients facing the full range of assault charges — from first-time domestic charges to aggravated assault trials. His approach is direct, strategic, and focused on protecting what matters most to you: your record, your freedom, your family, and your future.
Within 48 hours of receiving disclosure, you receive a written Defence Plan — a clear document outlining the evidence against you, the available defences, and a recommended strategy. No vague promises. No waiting to find out where you stand.
M Jokar
“I had a great experience working with Englobe law firm. They provided exceptional legal consulting with professionalism, expertise, and clear guidance. Their attention to detail and dedication made the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend their services!”
Hoorie Razavian
“Mr. Yeganeh is precise, supportive, and caring. I used his law firm’s services and I am very happy with my decision to choose him as my lawyer.”
Iman Yazdani
“I had a great experience working with Englobe Law. They were professional, responsive, and supportive throughout my application process. I really appreciate their guidance and would definitely recommend them.”
Your charge doesn't have to define your future.
Early action gives you more options. The sooner we review your case, the more we can do.
Don’t Wait to Get Advice
- Request a Confidential Case Review
Common questions about assault charges in Ontario
It depends on the evidence, context, injuries, and mitigation steps. We will assess prospects and pursue the best available resolution.
A peace bond does not result in a criminal conviction, but it can impose significant conditions and may have other consequences, including potential immigration implications. Whether accepting one is in your best interests depends on the circumstances of your case. We advise you after reviewing the disclosure, the proposed conditions, and your priorities.
Not if your release conditions prohibit contact. Your partner’s consent does not override a no-contact condition, and direct or indirect contact in breach of the condition can result in a new charge. Before any contact takes place, the terms of your release should be reviewed and, where appropriate, formally varied.
Demonstrating insight and taking proactive steps, including counselling, can support resolution and sentencing outcomes. It needs to be done strategically and coordinated through counsel to be most effective.
It varies by courthouse and complexity. Many cases resolve within a few months. Trials take longer depending on court availability and the issues involved. We give you realistic timelines once we've reviewed your file.