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This link is relevant to the topic of assault because it outlines the many different types of assaults such as: Simple assault, assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and assault against a police officer.

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An act of violence, especially in the moment that it occurs is a very simple incident. However, once things are over, and it's time to look at the consequences of that moment of violence, that's when things become complicated. Violence is never tolerated in Canada, but the degree to which it is condemned or punished varies quite a lot. There's a big difference between violence that ends with just general public disapproval and violence with consequences that need to be addressed by the Canadian legal system.

So how does it work? That's what we're here to at look today, with the charge of "assault" and the many ways it is handled in our country.

What's an Assault Charge?

Assault is one of the more serious violations a Canadian can commit, and is classified as a criminal act, which means it will be tried in court. If a conviction is secured, it may result in a criminal record, complete with fingerprint records and other legal processing.

The basic definition of assault in Canada is the intention to apply force to someone else in a direct or indirect manner, without that person's consent. This is a very important point to note; the threat of assault is all that is required for an assault charge to be legally given. Actual injury does NOT have to occur in order for an assault charge to occur. The most important points of an assault charge are that the person being charged had direct intent to inflict harm, and that the person being harmed did not give consent.

For context, this means that in the case of a typical hockey game, athletes who are body-checked or throw their gloves down and fight amongst each other cannot be charged with assault, or sue each other for personal injury, even though acts of violence are clearly involved. These athletes gave their consent the moment they put on the equipment and stepped onto the rink. On the other hand, a person walking down the street that is suddenly, randomly struck in the face is a victim of assault, and the assailant would be criminally charged.

But even once we've pinned down the basic terms of what an assault is, there are still different types of assault in Canada, that have different weights in the eyes of the law.

Simple Assault

This is the most basic type of assault charge in Canada, and, at this level, can be prosecuted in two ways. If someone is charged with simple assault as a summary conviction, this is the less severe of the two charges, and can actually be processed directly by a judge with no need for a jury or a jail sentence. However, in more severe cases of simple assault, it can be treated as an indictable offense, which will require a more formal court process.

Assault Causing Bodily Harm

When notable injuries occur, a charge can be stepped up to causing bodily harm. It can still be prosecuted two ways, with a summary conviction and a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail, or, if it is prosecuted as an indictable offense, up to 10 years in prison.

Assault with a Weapon

Assault with a weapon is exactly what it sounds like. This is an act of violence or a threat of violence in which a weapon is used, such as a gun, knife, or other implement. Like the bodily harm charge, this can also be prosecuted as either a summary conviction or indictable offense with similar maximum jail sentences.

Aggravated Assault

This is a more serious type of assault, usually resulting in serious, potentially life-long crippling injuries, or a real danger of death for the victim. Aggravated assault is always treated as an indictable offense, with a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Sexual Assault

When non-consensual sex is also involved with a threat or act of violence, it becomes sexual assault. Like assault, this has both summary conviction and indictable offense variations, with 18 month and 10 year maximum sentences based on the charge.

Sexual Assault with a Weapon/Threats/Bodily Harm

More severe versions of sexual assault, these are charged in a similar fashion depending on circumstances. There are both summary conviction and indictable offense sentences. Maximum punishments range from 18 months to 10 years of jail time.

Aggravated Sexual Assault

As with aggravated assault, this means that there were far more serious consequences and/or injuries for the victim, and is always tried as an indictable offense. Should a weapon be involved, such as a gun, the minimum jail sentence in the event of conviction is four years.

Assaulting a Police Officer

When acts of violence occur to a police officer, this has its own charge, but is prosecuted in a similar manner to other charges. Depending on circumstances, a police officer assault charge can be a summary conviction, or it can be an indictable offense. It depends on the act.

All assault charges have varying levels of severity, from simple to aggravated. Most of them can also be prosecuted as either the less severe summary conviction or, the more serious indictable offense. The one thing that doesn't change with any of these charges is that once you're convicted, you have an entry on your criminal record.

Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.

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Different Types of Assault Charges In Canada

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An act of violence, especially in the moment that it occurs is a very simple incident. However, once things are over, and it's time to look at the consequences of that moment of violence, that's when things become complicated. Violence is never tolerated in Canada, but the degree to which it is condemned or punished varies quite a lot.

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R V. RAR January 31st 2000

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This is a very powerful image relating to sexual assault. in this picture is show a victim of sexual abuse surrounded by the most common excuses that people use justify the act of the assault.

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Man charged with sexual assault fired from job

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Man charged with sexual assault fired from job

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This is an article of a case of a man, who was a massage therapist, who was fired from his job for an incident involving two of his patients regarding sexual assault. This is very relevant to the topic of criminal law and assault as is outlines the offense, and the consequence.

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A massage therapist charged with two counts of sexual assault has been terminated, his company said Saturday.

Matthew Lessard, 31, was charged in connection with incidents involving two female patients he treated last week at Massage Addict on 10th Line Road in Orléans, police said Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Massage Addict CEO Fraser Clarke said the company dismissed Lessard after an internal investigation sparked by the allegations, rescheduling his clients' appointments to other registered massage therapists. The company also "proactively reached out to the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario to report the incident and have been and will continue to co-operate fully with the Police on this matter."

A company spokeswoman added that Lessard had been a registered therapist for five years and started working for Massage Addict in late 2017. Apart from the complaint that triggered the investigation and termination, the company was unaware of any previous complaints. Additional information on the case was not available because of the ongoing investigation.

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario website lists a Matthew Lessard, with a note saying he had been charged with two counts of sexual assault.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service tip line at 613-236-1222, ext. 5760.

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Massage therapist charged with sexual assault has been fired, company says

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A massage therapist charged with two counts of sexual assault has been terminated, his company said Saturday. Matthew Lessard, 31, was charged in connection with incidents involving two female patients he treated last week at Massage Addict on 10th Line Road in Orléans, police said Friday.

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This is a video which shows the celebrity, Bill Cosby, being sentenced 3 to 10 years for sexual assault. This video is relevant to the topic of assault because it shows that anyone is capable of doing so and shows there is also room for justice even if its years later as the incidence he is accused of happened a number of years ago. This shows one of the possible outcomes when convicted of assault.

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Bill Cosby Sentenced To 3 To 10 Years In Prison For Sexual Assault | NBC News

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This video outlines the case that was dismissed again Johnny Manziel, an American football player, who was accused of physically assaulting his girlfriend. This case is interesting because the charge he is accused of can come with a jail time of one year and a $4000 fine, but instead he was let off with the promise to partake in an anger management course, and participate in the NFL'S substance abuse program.

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Johnny Manziel Reaches Deal For Dismissal Of Domestic Assault Case | SI Wire | Sports Illustrated

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This is a video this highlights the details of case regarding Brock Turner, a college student convicted of sexual assault. What is interesting about this case with its regards to criminal law and assault is that he was only sentenced to 3 months in prison for the assault. This shows another outcome of being convicted of assault.

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Stanford Rapist Brock Turner Is Done With Jail After 3 Months

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This image represents the recent social media movement, that supports the victims of sexual assault. This movement became popular as it encouraged victims of this kinda of assault to come forward.

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This picture illustrates a type of assault that is associated with people who are in a relationship.

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This link provides relevance to the topic of criminal law and assault because it outlines exactly what the definition of assault is according to the criminal code.

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Marginal note:Assault

(a) without the consent of another person, he applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly;

(b) he attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or

(c) while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation thereof, he accosts or impedes another person or begs.

Marginal note:Application

(2) This section applies to all forms of assault, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm and aggravated sexual assault.

Marginal note:Consent

(3) For the purposes of this section, no consent is obtained where the complainant submits or does not resist by reason of

(a) the application of force to the complainant or to a person other than the complainant;

(b) threats or fear of the application of force to the complainant or to a person other than the complainant;

(d) the exercise of authority.

Marginal note:Accused's belief as to consent

(4) Where an accused alleges that he believed that the complainant consented to the conduct that is the subject-matter of the charge, a judge, if satisfied that there is sufficient evidence and that, if believed by the jury, the evidence would constitute a defence, shall instruct the jury, when reviewing all the evidence relating to the determination of the honesty of the accused's belief, to consider the presence or absence of reasonable grounds for that belief.