In Canada, a person commits an assault when:

At Goodman Berman, Barristers, we fight for your rights and defend the charges you are facing. In the case of a Domestic assault or ‘simple assault’ we will carefully examine the case that you are facing and put together the most comprehensive defence. Before meeting with us, some questions you may need to address:

• Who is the complainant? The answer will determine if the assault is considered a domestic assault.
• Did the complainant made a statement by video/audio? The Prosecutor might ask the Court to use the video statement in court as evidence.
• How accurate is that statement? Could there be language barriers or was the complainant impaired when making the statement.
• Were you acting in self-defence?
• Was the fight consensual?

The range of sentences that one would receive on a finding of guilt would be from an absolute discharge to years in custody. Regardless of what the penalty is, there are consequences that go beyond the Justice system. Things to consider are:

• How will this affect my employment?
• How will this affect my status in Canada?
• How will this affect my ability to travel?

Know your rights, know how one charge can affect you over the course of your lifetime.

In Canada a person commits an Aggravated Assault when they wound, maim, disfigure or endanger the life of a complainant. The maximum sentence for this offence is 14 years in custody.

In Canada a person commits Assault Bodily Harm when the harm committed is more than merely trivial in nature and will in most cases involve an act of harm done deliberately to another person. The maximum sentence for this offence is 10 years in custody.