Domestic Violence Lawyers in Edmonton

Domestic violence is not a standalone charge; it includes the following offences (and others) committed in a domestic setting:

• Assault (Section 266 of the Criminal Code).
• Assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm (Section 267).
• Sexual assault (Section 271).
• Criminal harassment (Section 264).
• Uttering threats (Section 264.1).
• Criminal confinement (Section 279(2))

The lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Edmonton have the required legal skills and case experience to defend your domestic violence charge. In the past decade of serving the Edmonton area, we have:

• Won consecutive Consumer Choice Awards (2025, 2026).
• Attracted over 140 5-star Google reviews.
• Earned BBB A+ Rating.

The firm has defended over 10,000 criminal cases across Canada. Early legal advice from our team will focus on seeking your release, building a strong defence, and working to prevent a criminal record from impacting your future.

Testimonials

What is domestic violence, and how can a charge impact your future?

Because of the range of offences associated with domestic violence, the potential impact varies considerably from case to case.

If you’re accused of assault, threats, harassment, or confinement, the allegation becomes ‘domestic’ if it involves:

• Intimate partners, including current/ex-spouses, common-law partners, and dating partners.
• Family members.
• Children.

Violence against intimate partners, family members, or children is an aggravating factor under s.718.2(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code, meaning judges must treat it as a reason to impose a harsher sentence.

How seriously domestic violence is treated is reflected in the fact that charges are investigated and pursued with the help of:

• The Domestic Abuse High Risk Team (DAHRT) and the Edmonton Police.
• A dedicated Domestic Violence Unit at the Edmonton Crown Prosecutor’s office.
• A designated courtroom in Edmonton (Courtroom 268).

It is essential to seek early intervention from a qualified criminal defence lawyer to improve your chances of avoiding the following types of penalties:

Domestic violence offences are hybrid, meaning the Crown elects whether to proceed by summary conviction (less serious) or indictment (most serious).

No mandatory minimum sentences apply. The court will decide on the sentence. If you are convicted, we will make representations to the judge to impose the lightest possible sentence.

Actual sentences for first offences range from a conditional discharge or probation at the low end to significant custody for the most serious convictions.

What are the longer-term consequences of a conviction?

Beyond jail time, a domestic violence conviction in Edmonton can trigger several other serious consequences, such as:

• A mandatory weapons prohibition under s.109 of the Criminal Code.
• Required attendance at programs like the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program.
• Possible DNA databank order for more serious offences.

Family Court and Child Protection Services also treat a conviction as negative evidence, which can result in restricted access or loss of custody of children.

A permanent criminal record can also affect:

• Employment (particularly in vulnerable sectors such as childcare or education).
• Housing applications.
• Travel to the United States.
• Immigration status for non-citizens.
• Education.

Will you be released after a charge for domestic violence?

Domestic violence cases in Edmonton can move quickly. After arrest, you may be released from the police station on:

• An appearance notice.
• An undertaking to appear in court, with a strict ‘no contact’ order, under s. 501(3) of the Criminal Code.

Alternatively, depending on the seriousness of the offence and your criminal record, you will be detained for a bail hearing. This must occur without unreasonable delay and in most cases within 24 hours, though delays can occur when a justice is unavailable, such as on weekends.

You may be transferred to the Edmonton Police Service’s Downtown Division at 9620 103A Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0H7, or held at the Edmonton Remand Centre (18415 127 Street NW, Edmonton) until your bail hearing.

During this period, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will:

• Visit you or speak to you by video.
• Contact the Prosecutor assigned to the bail hearing to start negotiating your release.
• Obtain a copy of the police information package detailing the allegations against you.
• Prepare for your bail hearing (usually held by teleconference from your holding cell).

Unless the judge determines there is a risk to the victim or the public, you will be released with the following types of bail conditions (others may also apply):

• No-contact orders to prevent contact with the complainant.
• Stay-away orders from certain locations.
• An order to leave the family home and find a new place to live.
• Restrictions on visits with your children (supervised exchanges only).
• Bans on weapons and limits on alcohol/drugs.
• Mandatory attendance at counselling programs.
• Requirement to report to a bail supervisor or police station.

We will advise you on what you can and cannot do to prevent you from breaching a condition of your bail and making your situation worse.

What happens after your release?

At your first court appearance after your release on domestic violence charges, your lawyer will request the Crown’s disclosure package. This contains all the evidence against you, including:

• Police reports.
• 911 recordings.
• Forensic evidence.
• Statements from the complainant and witnesses, etc.

We will review the evidence for weaknesses, omissions, or errors in the case. Pre-trial resolution options may be available to you. If so, we will negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor on ways to prevent a criminal record.

How can your domestic violence case be resolved?

Outcomes are highly dependent on the precise facts and circumstances of your case.

If the domestic violence charge is not too serious and it is your first criminal charge, your case may be resolved without a criminal trial.

Crown Prosecutors in Alberta follow a pro-prosecution policy in domestic violence cases. This means that the charge is unlikely to be withdrawn, even if the complainant does not wish to proceed.

The types of pre-trial resolutions sometimes available in domestic violence cases include:

• Conditional discharge: Available for less serious first offences where you plead guilty and complete probation. No criminal conviction is registered if conditions are met.
• Peace bond (s.810): You agree to keep the peace and comply with conditions for a fixed period. No criminal conviction results.
• Mental Health Diversion (MHD): Available where a mental health issue is a primary driver of the conduct. No criminal record results if the program is completed.

If the case proceeds to trial and a conviction results, we will advocate for the lightest possible sentence.

Sometimes, voluntary completion of the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program before sentencing can support a more favorable outcome, including a conditional discharge.

What are the main defences for domestic violence?

Domestic violence cases are varied, with many potential defences available, depending on the circumstances.

Your lawyer will carefully assess the facts and evidence, and decide on one of the following defences:

FAQs

Get the help you need with a domestic violence charge in Edmonton

In domestic violence cases, the decisions made in the first 24 to 48 hours can significantly affect how your case unfolds.

Contacting a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer early can help your case. We will advise you during the police investigation on:

• Whether to speak to the police.
• What investigators are likely looking for.
• How to avoid steps that could be used against you later.

If you’ve already been charged with domestic violence, we will:

• Review the allegations and assess the Crown’s evidence.
• Identify any weaknesses in the Crown’s case.
• Build a defence strategy based on the specific facts of your case.
• Pursue pre-trial resolutions where appropriate.
• Prepare for trial if necessary.

Strategic Criminal Defence lawyers understand how the Edmonton courts approach domestic violence cases and will use this experience to protect your future.