Are You Charged With Domestic Assault? Here’s What You Need to Know

In Canada, “domestic assault” is not a specific legal term. It merely means some type of assault against a current or former intimate partner or family member. And remember that there is a long list of types of assaults including, but not limited to, sexual assault, assault with a weapon, and aggravated assault. In addition, when the lay person uses the term assault, he or she may mean abuse, and there is also a long list of types of abuses including physical abuse, financial abuse, coercive behaviour, and the list goes on.

So, if you are charged with domestic assault, the same recommendations apply to you as would apply to someone charged with robbery, murder, arson, or any other criminal act.

Here are our recommendations:

Hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Either hire one privately, or one will be appointed to you if you cannot afford one. This is your right. Use it immediately.

1 - Keep quiet. Do not talk to anyone about your case except your lawyer. That means do not make statements to the police. Do not go on social media and post about it. Do not tell your friends and family your side of the story. This will not help your case.

2 - Do not under any circumstances try to contact the person who is accusing you of assault. Do not call them, email them, text them or ask others to do so. Similarly, do not try to contact any witnesses to whatever happened or did not happen. Leave that to your lawyer.

3 - Be completely honest with your lawyer and then rely on him or her. That is why you have a lawyer, who is highly trained in the complexities of the law. Never try to out-think or outsmart your lawyer. If you have an idea or a suggestion for your case, then tell your lawyer about it.

Your best chance for a good outcome is to keep quiet and rely on your lawyer.

If you have been charged with assault, please contact Gagan Nahal for a free consultation in Vancouver at (604) 527-4769 as soon as possible. Mr. Nahal’s law practice focuses on criminal defence law, and he has extensive experience in this area of the law. 

Gagan Nahal is a criminal defence lawyer based in Surrey, British Columbia, although he has represented clients across Canada. He works vigorously and tirelessly defending his clients.

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to Mr. Nahal, please call him directly at (604) 527-4769.