What is a Peace Bond?
What is a Peace Bond?
A peace bond is a court order, most often in the context of a criminal proceeding. It is essentially an agreement “to keep the peace and be of good behaviour” for a certain length of time. The court may also impose certain conditions that the individual must follow. These conditions may involve having no contact with an individual, a restriction on being able to attend at a specific location, and not to possess any weapons. Peace Bonds are generally up to 12 months in length.
Can anyone get a Peace Bond?
The most common situation where a person enters into a peace bond is in the criminal context (usually in domestic assault cases), where the Crown agrees to withdraw the charges in exchange for the accused entering into a peace bond. Please refer to my domestic assault lawyer blog post for more information on this topic.
Additionally, if you feel that another person may harm you, your family, or cause damage to your property, you may follow the procedure to make an application and attend court. In this case, you may have to participate in a peace bond hearing where the court hears evidence and determines whether it is appropriate for the individual to enter into a peace bond.
What happens if a person violates the conditions of a Peace Bond?
It is important to keep in mind that a peace bond is a court order. It is a criminal offence to violate the terms and conditions of a court order, and as such, a person can be charged with a criminal offence if they do so. In addition, an individual who is found to have breached the terms of a court order may be required to pay an amount which was pledged in the peace bond (this can be in the range of $500-$2,000).
Does a Peace Bond result in a criminal conviction?
No. There is no finding of guilt and no conviction is registered when a person enters into a peace bond. It is simply an agreement to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Do I need a lawyer to get a Peace Bond?
It is always a good idea to discuss your case and the option of a peace bond with an experienced lawyer before you decide what to do. The lawyer can advise you of your rights and explain the court process.
Contact me:
If you require any advice, please contact Sanja Mavrak at (416) 554-4974 who is an experienced Criminal Lawyer to advise you on any of the above matters.
