Facing Assault Charges in London? Contact Our Defence Lawyers

Get Answers From a London Assault Lawyer

The Canadian Criminal Code defines assault as an intentional act or threat meant to apply force, either directly or indirectly, to a person without consent. Bodily injury does not have to result for an assault charge to apply, but it does determine the severity of assault charges in London.

Assault charges are categorized as:

• Simple assault. Involves forceful contact or an attempt or threat to apply force to another person by an act or gesture, but little to no injury resulted.
• Assault causing bodily harm. The incident caused an injury.
• Assault with a weapon. The attacker allegedly used an item capable of causing injury.
• Aggravated assault. The incident caused a serious injury that wounded, maimed, disfigured, or endangered a person’s life.
• Sexual assault. Contact without consent that violated a person’s sexual integrity.
• Aggravated sexual assault. Sexual contact without consent where the victim was wounded, maimed, disfigured, or their life was endangered.
• Assaulting a police officer. A special form of assault involving police personnel.

We can explain what the potential penalties could be in your case. Simple assault charges proceed by either summary conviction or by indictment. Very serious cases may be limited to only the indictable offence option.

For example, a simple summary conviction assault charge is always tried by a judge alone in the Ontario Court of Justice and sentencing options often involve no jail term. However, assault causing bodily harm places a person at risk of serving up to two years in jail, even if the crown proceeds summarily.  As an indictable offence, an assault causing bodily harm could result in a maximum of ten years in jail and aggravated assault carries a maximum 14-year jail term. A judge and jury trial election is only available for an aggravated assault charge and not for lesser forms of assault.

In addition to trying to win your case, a London assault lawyer at the Kruse Law Firm will create strategies to minimize sentencing penalties. A lawyer may succeed in negotiating alternatives to imprisonment, such as:

• Diversion (resulting in a withdrawal of the charges)
• Peace bonds or discharges (avoids a criminal record)
• Fines
• Suspended sentence (i.e. probation)

We have multiple defence strategies to draw upon to defend you in court. These include:

• Creating reasonable doubt to win your case
• Showing the complainant consented to a mutual fight
• Establishing self-defence or defence of another person
• Violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Why You Should Retain Us

The insights and guidance of a top criminal defence lawyer could improve your position in court. Michael Kruse has been succeeding at trials throughout Ontario for over 30 years. We will strenuously advocate to win your case, along with seeking lenient treatment and recognition of the circumstances that forced you into this difficult situation.

We Offer Free Consultations

The risks of a criminal record, fines, and imprisonment are too high to enter court without knowledgeable and experienced legal representation. After an arrest in London for assault, you need unbiased and accurate legal information. We can determine your viable defence options. Book a consultation today.