Ottawa Violent Crimes Lawyer
Violent crimes are penalized swiftly and harshly by the Canadian criminal justice system. If you are accused of assault, domestic violence, or even murder — you will not receive lenient sentencing. In fact, according to Canadian law and sentencing guidelines, prosecutors and judges must impose serious penalties when convicting violent offenders. In most violent crime cases, a conviction will lead to jail time.
At David Anber’s Law Office, we work diligently to help clients reduce or dismiss violent crime charges. To help clear your name, we will perform an exhaustive investigation, cross-examine witnesses and advocate for your innocence in court. To schedule a free, initial consultation to discuss your case with one of our violent crime defence lawyers, call 1-888-989-3946 or contact us online.
Types of violent offences we service
Individuals accused of violent offences typically have difficulty securing bail. If you are arrested for any type of violent crime, contact our office immediately. Our legal team can represent you at your bail hearing and work to obtain your freedom while you await your trial.
We have extensive experience representing clients accused of the following violent crimes in Ottawa:
- Assault — In Canada, there are two types of violent assault: simple assault, which is a summary conviction offence, and aggravated assault, which is a more serious indictable offence. The specific charge will depend on the circumstances of your case and the severity of the injuries you allegedly caused. For a summary conviction offence of simple assault, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For an indictable offence of assault, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to five years. However, if the assault is considered “aggravated”, the maximum penalty increases to a prison term of up to 14 years. Aggravated assault typically involves the use of a weapon, causing bodily harm, or targeting a specific group (such as a police officer). It’s worth noting that these are the maximum penalties possible and actual sentences may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the defendant’s criminal history.
- Domestic Violence — In Ontario, domestic violence refers to any form of abuse, including emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse, that happens within an intimate relationship. This can include relationships between spouses, dating partners, common-law partners, and family members. Domestic violence is not a specific criminal offence in Ontario. Instead, other criminal offences can be used to prosecute domestic violence, such as assault, sexual assault, uttering threats, and mischief. The penalties you face for domestic violence in Ottawa will depend on the specific criminal offence that you are charged with and the circumstances of your case. In addition to criminal penalties, there are also civil remedies available for victims of domestic violence in Canada. A restraining order, for example, can be obtained to prohibit you from contacting or approaching the victim.
- Homicide — Homicide is the killing of one person by another, and it is considered the most serious criminal offence in Canada. Canadian law defines several types of homicide, including murder, manslaughter, and infanticide. Murder is the most serious type of homicide and is defined as an unlawful killing that is planned and deliberate or committed in the commission of a criminal offence. The penalty for murder in Canada is life imprisonment.
- Uttering Threats — This offence is defined as making a threat, either verbally or in writing, to cause death or bodily harm to an individual or to damage their property. The threat must be made with the intent that it be taken seriously and must cause the person to fear for their safety or the safety of someone they know. The penalty for uttering threats in Canada can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and whether it is prosecuted as a summary conviction or an indictable offence. If convicted of a summary conviction offence, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 18 months, or both.
To ensure public safety, the Canadian government issues swift punishment on criminal offenders. If you are arrested for a violent crime in Ottawa or Quebec, contact David Anber’s Law Office as soon as possible.
Common defences for violent offences
Most violent offenders face some degree of jail time. Regardless of the type of crime the Crown charges you with, your case is never hopeless. The right lawyer can investigate your case and identify holes in the prosecution’s case. Our lawyers employ a wide range of defence tactics to help violent crime offenders in Canada, including:
- Police misconduct — If police fail to read you your Charter rights or act inappropriately during your arrest, you can use the misconduct to your advantage.
- Self-defense — You may be able to claim self-defense under the Criminal Code of Canada Section 34 if you can prove that you had reason to believe force was being used against you and you in turn had to use force to defend or protect yourself or another from harm.
- Challenge forensic evidence — Many violent crime cases involve the use of DNA. Our lawyers can challenge how specimens are gathered and handled, the chain of custody, and training of lab technicians.
Every violent crime case in Canada is different. Consult with a lawyer for more information.
Contact an experienced violent crime defence lawyer in Ottawa
A violent crime conviction can upend your life. At David Anber’s Law Office, we recognize the seriousness of your situation. Our experienced legal team can assess your case and tailor a strategic defence that safeguards your rights and freedom. To schedule a free consultation to speak with one of our seasoned defence lawyers, call 1-888-989-3946 or contact us online.