In Canada, a life sentence is the most severe penalty for criminal offences. Imposed for the most dangerous crimes, such as first- or second-degree murder, a life sentence reflects the seriousness of the charges and danger posed to society.

The impact of criminal charges as serious as manslaughter can have a lasting effect on a young person’s physical and mental health and their life trajectory. Meanwhile, although youth manslaughter charges in Ontario are handled differently, receiving an adult sentence always remains a possibility.

We discuss the intent or mens rea for manslaughter, explain the differences between manslaughter and murder intent, and explore defence strategies focused on challenging manslaughter intent and reducing the charges.

We take a closer look at relationship abuse and family violence, explore various resources available to victims and survivors, and outline practical solutions to domestic violence in Canada.

Voyeurism is a criminal offence in Canada when conducted secretly, without consent, and for sexual purposes.
Convictions can result in up to 5 years imprisonment and mandatory inclusion on the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR).

In Canadian criminal law, a plea bargain is a formal agreement between the defence and the Crown prosecutor, in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or accept a reduced sentence. This process allows the court to resolve cases more efficiently, saving time and resources for both parties. Judges do not negotiate plea deals but have the authority to accept, reject, or modify the terms.

Sexual assault is a stigmatizing offence with severe consequences, including incarceration, DNA orders, a criminal record, and placement on the sexual offender registry. The penalty for sexual assault in Canada varies depending on the level of offence and the presence of aggravating factors, such as a victim under the age of consent, the presence of a weapon, or bodily harm.

In this article we discuss the legal framework for assault with a weapon and explore what happens if a young person faces the charges in Ontario.

In Canada, everyone has the legal right to defend themselves or others in self-defence. Section 34 of the Criminal Code states that a person is not guilty if they act in self-defence or defence of another, provided their response is based on a reasonable belief and the acts are reasonable under the circumstances.

Canadian police continue to report hundreds of arrests each year for possession, accessing, and distribution of child sexual abuse material. National enforcement operations often involve dozens (and sometimes over a hundred) of suspects being charged in coordinated investigations, underscoring the scale and coordination of police crackdowns. These investigations target both individual users and organized distribution networks, reflecting law-enforcement efforts to both disrupt networks and deter individual offenders.

In the Ontario criminal court, psycholegal considerations can help mitigate accusations and potential penalties. Below, we take a closer look at integrating psychological evidence into the defence and explore trauma-induced defence strategies.

Missing court in Ontario can trigger a bench warrant or a discretionary bench warrant (an order that may give you a chance to attend before being arrested). Failing to attend as required can lead to new criminal charges, with potential jail and fines, even if your original case was minor.