Violent Offence Lawyer in Winnipeg

What are Violent Offences?

Violent offences covers offences occurring between people in which the offender causes harm or violence upon the victim. While the Crown and Court look seriously upon all acts of violence, whether it be between co-workers, neighbours, friends, or even strangers, they are particularly concerned with domestic violence. Domestic violence is not a specific offence, but rather any offence that occurs between parties involved in an intimate relationship.

Violent offences include:

1. Murder
2. Attempted Murder
3. Assault
4. Assault with a Weapon
5. Robbery
6. Uttering Threats
7. Criminal Harassment

Getting Bail when Charged with a Violent Offence

Many individuals charged with violent offence find the police unwilling to release them, especially when charges relate to domestic violence. Appearing in court, the Crown may decided to either release the accused by consent, or opposed their release. If the Crown is opposed, the accused will have to present a release plan to a judge in order to secure their bail. When releasing an accused on bail, the judge many order any number of conditions, these include:

• to remain within a territorial jurisdiction,
• to notify the officer of any change of address, employment, or occupation,
• to abstain from communicating directly or indirectly with specified individuals,
• to abstain from attending certain locations,
• to deposit his or her passport,
• to abstain from possessing any firearm and to surrender any firearms licenses,
• to report at certain times to the police,
• to abstain from the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicating substances,
• to abstain from the consumption of drugs except in accordance with a medical prescription; and,
• to comply with any other condition the judge considers necessary to ensure the safety and security of any victim or witness.

Sentencing when Charged with a Violent Offence

Violent offences cover a very wide range of crimes, from assault to first degree murder. In determining an appropriate sentence, a judge will consider the gravity of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender. Certain offences have a greater gravity due to the nature of the harm done to the victim. For example, aggravated assault is more serious than simple assault.

Violent offences have maximum punishments, and some also have minimum punishments. Simple assault carries a maximum sentence of 5 years jail, while aggravated assault carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. The minimum sentence for murder is life. For first degree murder, you are only eligible for parole after 25 years. In the case of second degree murder, the court determines your eligibility for parole which can be anywhere from 10 to 25 years.

Defending Violent Offence Charges

As with the range of sentences, there may be a variety of defences available dependent on the exact circumstances of the case. Some defences are based upon a complete denial of the offence. It may be that someone is mistaken about the identity of the suspect, or it may be they are purposefully making a false allegation. In other cases, the accused may have committed the offence but has a lawful justification or excuse. This covers self-defence, duress, and necessity. There are also pseudo or partial defences, such as intoxication, automatism, and provocation.

Related Violent Offence Topics

1. What is Self-Defence?
2. What is the De Minimis Defence?