Calgary Criminal Lawyer David Chow

What is a Peace Bond?

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what is a peace bond?

A common type of non-criminal record resolution used in domestic violence court for domestic violence charges in Calgary and elsewhere is Peace Bond. 

What is a Peace Bond?

Under section 810 of the Criminal Code or by operation of the common law the Crown can agree to withdraw criminal charges in exchange for a Peace Bond.  A peace bond is essentially an agreement that you will keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period (usually 12-18 months) and that you will complete any terms of the peace bond within that time.  Conditions or terms of a peace bond usually include a requirement to complete counselling, abide by no contact provisions, abstain from the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs and not to possess weapons.  Peace Bonds also require that you agree to pay cash if you breach a condition of the bond. 

 In exchange for the peace bond, the Crown will withdraw the criminal charges.

A peace bond is a very favourable resolution because it permits you to avoid  the risk of conviction and the consequences of a criminal record.  That said, peace bonds require compliance with conditions.  This can be difficult over time.  It is also worth noting that breaching a condition of the peace bond can result in criminal charges. 

who has jurisdiction to impose a peace bond?

Only the Crown can offer and agree to a peace bond.  The judge has no jurisdiction to impose a peace bond in exchange for the withdrawal of charges.  A judge only has the jurisdiction to determine whether the appropriate legal requirements have been met once the application has been presented.

In Calgary, specialized Crown's in domestic violence court have the power to agree to Peace Bonds. Peace Bonds are an effective alternative to sanctioning an accused without saddling him or her with a criminal record.

a calgary domestic violence lawyer

David Chow is a Calgary domestic violence lawyer who often saves his clients legal fees and a criminal record by negotiating the withdrawal of charges in exchange for alternate resolutions such as alternative measures and peace bond.

Domestic Assault  |  Common Assault  |  Sexual Assault  |  Homicide  |  All Crimes of Violence....

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Recent Case Results

R. v. M.M.H.

R. v. M.M.H.

(Cochrane P. C. - Domestic Assault/uttering threats). - MMH was charged with domestic assault and uttering threats arising from an incident with a domestic partner (girlfriend).  After listening to MMH's situation, it appeared that there was no crime committed; that is to say, the accused did not assault anybody or utter any threats. ...
R. v. R.P.P.

R. v. R.P.P.

(Calgary P. C. - Domestic Assault). RPP was charged with a domestic assault arising from an incident involving an intimate partner. Intimate partner violence is recognized category of assault wherein the alleged victim is involved with the accused in a. domestic context. ...
R. v. H.M.H.

R. v. H.M.H.

(Calgary, P. C. - Domestic Violence). In most cases, when police charge for domestic violence offences, the charges are justified. Sometimes, however, the domestic assault allegations are reported in conditions where the complainant is upset, perhaps impaired by alcohol, drugs or both or in circumstances where the allegations may not be true. ...
R. v. M.H.H.

R. v. M.H.H.

(Didsbury, P. C. - Assault). This case was scheduled and ultimately completed on the day of trial. The important lesson from this case is (1) resolution offers often come on the day of trial and (2) sometimes in the face of innocence, an accused must nevertheless make a difficult choice. ...
R. v. S.D.

R. v. S.D.

(Calgary, P. C. - Domestic Assault). In Canadian criminal law, an "assault" is essentially an intentional non-consensual touching by the accused of another.  Though some assaults are so trivial (de minimus) such as not to merit criminal sanction, proof of degree of force is not necessary for assault. ...
R. v. D.E.

R. v. D.E.

(Calgary, P. C. - Domestic Assault/Self Defence).  In criminal law, self defence is a defence of justification for assault. Self defence occurs in circumstances where a person is assaulted or attacked by another and repels the attack using physical resistance. In law, self defence only succeeds when the accused uses reasonable force to defend against an assault. ...
R. v. L.D.L.

R. v. L.D.L.

(Calgary, P. C. - Assault Causing Bodily Harm). In Canada, there are several kinds of assault. Common assault (sometimes referred to as "simple assault") is defined as a non-consensual touching of another.  Proof of a degree of force is not required to prove an assault. ...
R. v. N.B.B.

R. v. N.B.B.

(Medicine Hat, P. C. - Domestic Assault). Assault is a commonly charged criminal offence. Domestic assault is likely one of the most prevalent offences dealt with by criminal law courts today. For approximately the last two-decades, criminal law courts in Alberta have had courtrooms dedicated specifically to cases of domestic violence. ...
R. v. D.K.

R. v. D.K.

(Calgary, P. C. - Domestic Assault).  As most criminal defence lawyers in Alberta will advise, clients charged with a domestic violence incident, depending on the severity of the allegation, may be able to resolve their case without a criminal record and without incurring high legal fees.  This can often be done by way of a Peace Bond. ...