Charged with Assault – What it Means

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It is a sad truth that when the economy hits a downturn and investments don’t offer any returns, that the crime rate goes up1. Stress and anxiety can lead to a poor decision, and that poor decision can result in being charged with a crime, such as Assault.

There are a few different types of Assault charges, but the most common one is a Simple Assault. If you have been charged with a Simple Assault, you are definitely not alone. In 2014 / 20152 just over 9% of all cases heard in Canadian Courts dealt with the charges of Simple Assault, making it the fourth most common offence heard. Plainly speaking, a simple assault is the use of force or the threat of force without permission.  Many of us imagine a simple assault as a punch, kick or push; but it could also be something seemingly innocuous, like grabbing something out of another person’s hand or throwing a sandwich or a Kleenex at a person.

Regardless of the mechanism of the assault, the consequences of being charged can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. It can impact your home life, employment, limit your ability to volunteer or participate in community activities, not to mention the impact it could have on immigration or your ability to travel. A conviction for a simple assault leaves you with a criminal record and may result in fines, probation, mandatory counselling, house arrest or even jail time (not exceeding five years). There are a lot things the courts will consider, including aggravating and mitigating factors such as: Did the alleged offence occur within a domestic relationship? Was the assault committed in self-defence, defence of property, or defence of another person?

Remember that being charged with an offence is not the same as being convicted of an offence, and your decision to retain a criminal defence lawyer, who not only has knowledge and experience, but also knows how to ask the right questions could be an investment that will offer you the greatest return.

Batting, Wyman Barristers are among the top Calgary Domestic Assault lawyers, with over 25 years experience successfully defending clients charged with a variety of domestic assault offences. Choosing us means you receive the strongest representation you need to present a solid defence in your case.

If you are faced with any type of assault charge do not hesitate to contact our firm if you require assistance. We are here to help.

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Blog posts from Batting, Wyman Barristers are for general information only. The content should not be considered legal advice. If you are in need of professional legal advice, please Book a free 30-minute consultation.