If you are arrested for domestic assault in Calgary, you can face serious penalties, including jail time, a criminal record, and mandatory counseling or rehabilitation. Those who have been charged with committing domestic assault will need to hire a Calgary domestic assault lawyer to represent them in court. A lawyer who specializes in domestic assault cases may be able to help reduce the severity of your sentence. To prepare for your day in court, it’s important to understand the penalties facing those convicted of domestic assault in Calgary.
Conditional Sentence Orders
The availability of a conditional sentence order in domestic assault cases means that the accused may be able to avoid jail time if they agree to certain conditions, such as staying away from the victim and completing counseling. This type of sentence is available for first-time offenders and can help to keep the family together while ensuring that the perpetrator takes responsibility for their actions.
Restraining Orders
When a person is convicted of domestic assault, there are typically several consequences that result. One such consequence is that the defendant may be ordered to stay away from the victim, known as a restraining order. Violating this order can result in additional criminal charges. Additionally, committing domestic violence in front of a child can lead to harsher penalties for the defendant. This is because courts often look at cases involving children more harshly, since the child may be scared or traumatized by witnessing the abuse. As a result, defendants may face longer jail sentences or higher fines if convicted of domestic assault in front of a child.
A restraining order prohibits any contact with the person who is protected by it. This includes communicating with them in any way, including by phone, email, or social media. It also prohibits any attempt to communicate with the person who is protected by it anywhere, even if that communication is not directed at the person who is protected by the order. In addition, a restraining order prohibits any attempt to harass, intimidate, or threaten the person who is protected by it. The order may also prohibit the person who is subject to it from possessing firearms or other weapons.
Jail Time
Domestic assault is taken very seriously in Calgary, and those convicted of committing domestic assault could face jail time. While a good domestic assault lawyer can help reduce the amount of time you serve in jail, those convicted can be sentenced to days, months, or years in jail.
For a first domestic assault conviction, you could face up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. For subsequent convictions, the maximum jail sentence increases to 18 months, and the maximum fine doubles to $10,000.
Find a Lawyer
When it comes to domestic assault, there can be serious penalties for a conviction. In some cases, you may end up spending time in jail or prison, paying a fine, or being placed on probation. Additionally, a domestic assault conviction can have long-term consequences that impact your life in numerous ways. A criminal record for domestic assault can affect your ability to get a job or travel abroad. If you are facing charges for domestic assault, it is important to seek legal assistance to ensure the protection of your rights.
Luckily, the internet has made it easy to find a lawyer near you. If you’re a defendant in Calgary, for instance, try using Google to search for “Calgary domestic assault lawyer.” Not all lawyers are created equal, and some specialize in specific types of law. It’s important to find a lawyer with experience in domestic assault cases, a high success rate, and availability to take on your case.