What is Criminal Harassment?
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, criminal harassment occurs when someone engages in repeated actions that:
- Follow another person from place to place
- Communicate with another person repeatedly
- Watches or besets a person’s home or workplace
- Engages in threatening behavior towards someone
These actions must cause the victim to fear for their safety, or the safety of others.
Penalties for Criminal Harassment
Convictions for criminal harassment can result in severe penalties, including:
- Imprisonment: Up to 10 years for indictable offenses.
- Other consequences: DNA orders, weapons prohibitions, loss of employment, damage to reputation, and ongoing fear for safety.
The Impact on Your Life
Being accused of criminal harassment can have a devastating impact on your life. You may face:
- Social isolation: Loss of friends, family, and community support.
- Job loss: Difficulty maintaining employment due to the nature of the charges.
- Psychological distress: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Defences to Uttering Threats Charges
While every case is unique, there are potential defences to an uttering threats charge, including:
- Lack of intent: Demonstrating that you did not intend for your words to be taken as a threat, including as a result of severe impairment through alcohol or drugs.
- Identity: Questioning whether you were the person who made the threat.
- Credibility of the complainant: Challenging the credibility of the person who accused you of making the threat.
- Ambiguous language: Arguing that your words could be interpreted in different ways and did not constitute a threat.
It is important to note that building a strong defence requires the expertise of a skilled criminal lawyer.
How We Can Help
A criminal harassment charge is serious and requires a skilled defense lawyer. At Armoured Suits Criminal Defence Lawyers, our team specializes in defending clients against criminal harassment charges. We will:
- Thoroughly investigate the evidence: We examine the Crown’s case to identify weaknesses and inconsistencies.
- Build a strong defense: We develop effective strategies tailored to your specific circumstances.
- Protect your rights: We ensure your rights are upheld throughout the legal process.
Provide support and guidance: We offer compassionate support and explain the legal process clearly.
Contact Us Today
If you are facing a criminal harassment charge, contact Armoured Suits: Criminal Defence Lawyers immediately. We will thoroughly investigate your case, build a solid defence, and fight aggressively to protect your rights.
- Thoroughly investigate the evidence: We examine the Crown’s case to identify weaknesses and inconsistencies.
- Build a strong defense: We develop effective strategies tailored to your specific circumstances.
- Protect your rights: We ensure your rights are upheld throughout the legal process.
Provide support and guidance: We offer compassionate support and explain the legal process clearly.