How can I get my criminal harassment charges dropped?
If you have been charged with criminal harassment, there are a few ways that you can get your charges dropped. One effective way of getting your charges dropped is by signing a peace bond. If you sign a peace bond, you will be required to stay away from the complainant and to cease contacting them for a period of a year. During this time you will also need to comply with conditions like keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, and reporting to probation as required. However, once you sign the peace bond, the charges against you will be withdrawn and you can avoid a criminal record.
Another good way to have your criminal harassment charges dropped is by completing a diversion program. Two diversion programs that may be available to you are the Alternative Measures Program (AMP) or a mental health diversion program. If you are diverted, you will have to complete activities like counselling, community service, or other treatments (if you are in a mental health diversion program). This will typically take place over the course of a few months. Once you are finished the program, the charges against you will be withdrawn and you will be able to avoid a criminal record.
However, due to the violent and serious nature of this offence, it may be very difficult to obtain this type of resolution. As such, if you have been charged with criminal harassment you should contact a criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. We can identify weaknesses in the case against you that we can leverage in negotiations with the Crown Prosecutor in order to secure your admission to a diversion program, or to have your charges withdrawn with a peace bond.
Avoid a Criminal Record with a Discharge:
If the Crown is not of the view that it would be appropriate to resolve your matter through diversion or with a peace bond, you may still be able to avoid a criminal record with a successful application for a discharge. If you receive a conditional discharge, you will need to comply with conditions that will be set by the court for a specified period of time. If you do not breach the conditions, your discharge will become absolute and you will be able to say that you have never been convicted of a criminal offence. If you are granted an absolute discharge, you will immediately be discharged from the offence without having to comply with any conditions whatsoever.
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