Charges

An impaired driving charge in Ontario begins with a roadside licence suspension and a vehicle impound, both on the spot, before any court decides anything. The person is usually released with a court date. The charge can be impaired, over 80, or refusal, and the roadside paperwork carries deadlines for the licence side of the case.

After an impaired driving stop in Alberta, most first cases go through Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) — a licence suspension, vehicle seizure and a fine at the roadside — not a criminal charge. The paper says which one you received. An IRS has a short window to appeal to SafeRoads Alberta; a criminal charge means a court date.

An assault charge in Ontario covers any intentional use of force without consent, from a shove to serious injury; the paperwork’s section number says which. Most people are released from the station with conditions and a court date. The first steps are the same for every level: the paperwork, disclosure, then the decision on how to respond.

After an assault charge in Alberta, most people are released from the station with conditions and a court date in the Alberta Court of Justice. Assault is any intentional use of force without consent — a push counts, no injury needed. The first steps are the same at every level: the paperwork, disclosure, then the decision on how to respond.

A domestic assault charge in Ontario is an assault charge where the people involved are partners or family. Police in Ontario follow a policy that strongly favours laying a charge. Release almost always comes with no-contact and no-attendance conditions, which can mean the person cannot go home.

“Domestic assault” is an assault charge where the other person is a partner, ex-partner or family member; the charge is the same, the handling is stricter. A no-contact condition almost always comes with release, and it applies even if the other person wants to talk.

A drug possession charge in Ontario means the police say you had a controlled substance and knew it was there; possession “for the purpose of trafficking” (s. 5) adds an alleged intent to sell. Small personal-use amounts are often diverted away from court in Ontario; trafficking charges are not.

A drug possession charge in Alberta means the police say you had a controlled substance and knew it was there; possession “for the purpose of trafficking” (s. 5) adds an alleged intent to sell. Personal-use amounts are often diverted; trafficking charges are not.

Trafficking is being accused of selling, giving, transporting or offering a controlled drug, or possessing it for the purpose of doing so. It is a federal charge, prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and it is treated far more seriously than simple possession.

Trafficking is being accused of selling, giving, transporting or offering a controlled drug, or possessing it for the purpose of doing so. It is a federal charge, prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and it is treated far more seriously than simple possession.

Theft under $5,000 covers shoplifting and most small thefts; many first-time charges in Ontario end without a criminal record through diversion. The store’s own ban letter and a civil demand letter are separate from the criminal charge.

Theft under $5,000 covers shoplifting and most small thefts; many first-time charges end without a criminal record through alternative measures. The store’s own ban letter and a civil demand letter are separate from the criminal charge.

After a fraud charge in Ontario, the person is usually released with a court date; a bail hearing is more likely where the amount is large or a record exists. Fraud is using deceit to get money, property or a service, under Criminal Code section 380. The case turns on documents, so disclosure takes longer than most charges.

After a fraud charge in Alberta, the person is usually released with a court date; a bail hearing is more likely where the amount is large or a record exists. Fraud is using deceit to get money, property or a service, under Criminal Code section 380. The case turns on documents, so disclosure takes longer than most charges.

After a breach of release conditions charge in Ontario, the person faces a second charge — failure to comply — alongside the original one, and often a new bail hearing. A breach is a missed curfew, contact the order forbade, or a place the person was told not to be. The breach becomes part of the record the court considers.

After a breach of release conditions charge in Alberta, the person faces a second charge — failure to comply — alongside the original one, and often a new bail hearing. A breach is a missed curfew, contact the order forbade, or a place the person was told not to be. The breach becomes part of the record the court considers.

At a bail hearing in Ontario a justice decides whether the person waits at home or in custody until the case is done, and on what conditions. It happens within about 24 hours of arrest. The court wants a plan: where they will live, who will supervise, and what rules they will follow.

A bail hearing in Alberta decides whether the person waits at home or in custody until the case is done. The court wants a plan — where they will live, who will supervise them, and what rules they will follow.

Uttering threats means the police say you threatened to hurt someone, damage property or harm an animal — in person, by text or online. The offence turns on the words themselves and whether they were meant to be taken seriously. Whether anything happened afterwards is not part of the charge.

Uttering threats means the police say you threatened to hurt someone, damage property or harm an animal — in person, by text or online. The offence turns on the words themselves and whether they were meant to be taken seriously. Whether anything happened afterwards is not part of the charge.

Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature — the law turns on consent, and it covers a wide range of conduct. These cases move slowly and carefully, and what happens in the first days — statements, contact, what is kept — tends to matter for a long time. Most people involve a lawyer before anything else happens.

Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature — the law turns on consent, and it covers a wide range of conduct. These cases move slowly and carefully, and what happens in the first days — statements, contact, what is kept — tends to matter for a long time. Most people involve a lawyer before anything else happens.