A peace bond can be ordered by a judge for certain charges where criminal prosecution is not considered the best way forward, under section 810 of the Criminal Code. This means that:

  • Any existing charge will typically be withdrawn.
  • You won’t face the long-term impact of a criminal record.
  • You’ll need to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for up to 12 months.

A peace bond is not guaranteed. The process can involve lengthy negotiations with the Crown, a task best handled by an experienced criminal defence lawyer fighting for your best interests.

Our team will seek the best possible outcome to prevent the severe consequences of a criminal conviction and record.

Is a peace bond a realistic outcome in your case? 3 questions to ask:

  • Has someone accused you of threatening to cause them harm? A peace bond is typically pursued when a complainant (or the police) believes there’s a genuine basis for concern.
  • Are you willing to agree to specific conditions without entering a guilty plea? Peace bonds don’t require you to admit wrongdoing, only to accept court-ordered conditions (such as no contact or weapons prohibitions) for a set period.
  • Is this a relatively isolated incident rather than part of an established pattern of charges? Peace bonds are more common in cases without a lengthy or escalating history, since repeat conduct may push the Crown toward prosecution instead.

A peace bond may be a realistic outcome if you answer “yes” to all three questions. Regardless, speak with a lawyer about resolving your case without criminal charges.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What is a peace bond, and how does it work?

A peace bond is a court order stating that a person must keep the peace and follow some rules, usually for up to a year.

Peace bonds are meant to stop crime before it happens. They can be issued if:

  • The court agrees that someone has a good reason to believe that they, their family, their pets, or their property, may be harmed, and
  • The accused is willing to accept conditions without admitting guilt.

Most commonly in Calgary, we see peace bonds issued in domestic violence cases, when the subject of the threatening behaviour doesn’t want the accused charged; they simply want the conduct to stop.

The conditions applied to peace bonds are negotiable. One of the biggest mistakes people make is agreeing to overly broad conditions just to resolve things quickly, restricting them for up to 12 months. A Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer can help negotiate these terms.

How is a peace bond initiated?

A peace bond can be initiated in two ways in Calgary:

1. Through the criminal charge process (police/Crown-initiated): 

  • Someone reports a fear of harm to the police.
  • The police investigate and draft a peace bond if there are reasonable grounds for the person’s fear.
  • The police swear the Information before the court.
  • The court signs the peace bond.

2. Direct application by the person who is afraid (no police or charges required):

  • A person applies directly to a court for a peace bond against another individual (with or without a lawyer’s help).
  • A hearing is scheduled before a justice, who decides whether a peace bond is appropriate, based on the evidence available.

In both cases, the court must be satisfied that the fear is reasonable before anything is ordered. The judge weighs factors like:

  • The nature of the threats made.
  • Past violent behaviour.
  • The relationship between the parties.

Accused individuals have the opportunity to tell their side of the story at the court hearing. If you’ve been accused of threatening behaviour, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer can:

  • Protect your legal rights.
  • Ensure you don’t say anything that could be used against you in court.
  • Discuss your case early on with the police and/or Crown Prosecutor.
  • Work to limit the consequences for your future with a pre-trial resolution.
  • Discuss a peace bond, if appropriate.
  • Explain any other legal options available.
  • Represent you at court hearings.

What rules must you follow with a peace bond?

If the judge issues a peace bond, you must follow all conditions listed in the order for up to 12 months. These often include:

CONDITION TYPE WHAT IT TYPICALLY REQUIRES
Keep the peace & be of good behaviour The baseline requirement is that you must not be charged with any additional criminal offences during the bond's term.
No-contact No direct or indirect contact with the complainant or another named person, even through social media.
Geographic restrictions You must keep a certain distance away from a specific address or location, such as the complainant's home, workplace, or school.
Weapons prohibition You must not possess firearms, ammunition, or explosive substances.
Substance restrictions You must not use or possess alcohol or drugs, particularly where substance use was a factor in the alleged offence.
Counselling or treatment You must attend assessment, counselling, and/or treatment programs, such as anger management, partner assault response, or substance abuse programming.
Reporting requirements You must report to a probation officer or, in some cases, to police at specified intervals.
Cash surety (optional) The court may also require a sum of money to be pledged or deposited, which can be forfeited if a condition is breached.

The conditions are based on the specific circumstances of the case, not fixed by statute. Many peace bonds include only a selection of the above rules, and your Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will help:

  • Negotiate for the least restrictive conditions possible.
  • Explain every condition you must follow, and the consequences of breaching the rules.

What happens if you breach the rules of your peace bond?

You don’t have to admit to a crime when you sign a peace bond, but breaking the terms of a peace bond is a crime.

Violating any condition, even texting someone who initiates contact (if you are subject to a no-contact order), can lead to arrest and charge for breach of recognizance (Section 811 of the Criminal Code).

Someone arrested for breaching a peace bond may face new, stricter release conditions while that breach charge is pending. including a possible curfew and location-tracking.

A conviction for breaching the conditions of your peace bond can result in:

  • Imprisonment for up to 4 years (if prosecuted by indictment).
  • A criminal record, with potentially lifelong consequences.

Your Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will ensure you understand the conditions and help you take the steps necessary to follow the rules and avoid such consequences.

Testimonials

“I was extremely happy with his (Shervin Sabet’s) performance through both preparing for court and then the actual court date. I became even happier when I later had his assistance with removing two of the conditions from my peace bond. His communication has always been above what I expected from a lawyer, and he always has made sure I am informed and updated with such grace and respect.”

J.W.

“I ended up with a resolution of a peace bond that was acceptable while also allowing me to deal with the consequences of my actions.”

M.E.

“From the very first moment I contacted Strategic Criminal Defence, Neal Dixon was nothing short of amazing. From the first hello, he was professional, intelligent, highly knowledgeable, but above all, kind and understanding. He thoughtfully walked me through the process of what was going to happen and what needed to be done, making sure I understood and felt comfortable every step of the way.”

D.W.

Successful Cases

Note: Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. Every case depends on its own facts.

Case Number: 73310298

Our client was charged with multiple counts of domestic violence. All allegations, which spanned numerous years, had been made by our client’s estranged wife. Upon being retained, we reviewed the wife’s statements, medical records, and photographs of the alleged assaults. We then conducted a thorough review of the evidence that our client had gathered throughout the history of the relationship. Our fulsome review revealed numerous inconsistencies and outright falsehoods in the wife’s statements.

After gathering and assessing all the information, we engaged the Crown Prosecutor in resolution discussions. The charges were too serious for the prosecutor to resolve in advance of trial, and we didn’t want to reveal everything we had too early. So we prepared our strongest pieces of contradictory evidence and presented them to the Crown on the morning of the trial. As a result, the Crown offered a Section 810 Peace Bond with minimal conditions, and all the charges against our client were withdrawn.

Successful Result: Charges Withdrawn, Peace Bond, No Criminal Record.

Case Number: 25280053

Our client was charged with criminal harassment after sending numerous emails, Facebook messages, and text messages to her ex-husband, his girlfriend, and their friends and family members.

Upon being retained, we immediately ordered disclosure and requested character references and proof of counselling from our client to provide to the Crown Prosecutor. We entered negotiations with the Crown and discussed the steps that our client was taking to address her anger. We also raised the unique circumstances of our client that would be significantly impacted by a criminal record. As a result of these negotiations, the Crown agreed to resolve the charges with a peace bond and our client avoided a criminal record.

Case Number: 35170075

Our client was arrested for domestic assault after he came home from drinking at the bar to find the doors to his house locked. He then broke the handle of one of the doors so that he could gain entry to the house. Once he was inside, he found his common law partner and began to scream at her and push her, and at one point, he put both of his hands around her neck. Throughout the entire altercation, his common law partner was holding their one-year-old child. She managed to call the police, who later arrived and arrested our client.

Upon being retained, we immediately ordered disclosure and amended the conditions of our client’s bail so that he could see his children while his matter was being resolved. We also directed him to enroll in counselling and obtained proof of his attendance. We used this in conjunction with the weaknesses we had identified in the case against our client to successfully advocate for a peace bond. As a result, the charges against our client were withdrawn and our client did not obtain a criminal record.

Successful Result: Peace Bond, Charges Withdrawn, No Criminal Record

Case Number: 750983

Our client was arrested and charged with extortion, publication of intimate images without consent, and assault after she obtained nude images of the complainant and her husband. She subsequently demanded that the complainant meet with her in person. When she and the complainant met, she struck the complainant in the face. She also demanded a lump sum payment from the complainant and threatened that if she was not paid, she would post the images on social media.

Upon being retained, we immediately ordered and reviewed disclosure and identified serious evidentiary issues in the case against our client. We also sought out multiple strong character references for our client and assisted our client in selecting anger management courses, which she successfully completed. We used the evidentiary weaknesses in the Crown’s case and proof of our client’s counselling to advocate for the resolution of this matter by way of a peace bond. As a result, the substantive charges against our client were withdrawn.

Successful Result: Charges Withdrawn, Peace Bond, No Criminal Record

Case Number: 1514446

Our client, a youth, had a party at his home where everyone was drinking. Following the party, a female friend slept in his bed, and the two engaged in sexual activity. The next morning, she advised him that she did not consent and went to the hospital and police. Our client was then charged with sexual assault.

Upon being retained, we scheduled a section 276 hearing to determine whether there was evidence to support our client’s honest but mistaken belief in consent defence. This hearing supported our client’s contention that he honestly believed in the presence of consent. Based on this, we were able to persuade the Crown Prosecutor to withdraw the charges and resolve the issue with a Peace Bond.

Successful Result: Charge Withdrawn; Resolved with a Peace Bond; No Criminal Record

Case Number: 326009

Our client was charged with breaching the conditions of an undertaking, assault with a weapon, and intimidation after the police attended a 911 call at his residence. Upon arriving, they found the complainant sitting on the steps. The complainant told the police that he had been in a fight with his boyfriend. The complainant had blood on his head and hands, and there was a 3-inch laceration on his head. The complainant informed the police that his boyfriend had thrown a phone at him while they were fighting, and that caused the laceration. The complainant also informed the police that his boyfriend had choked and punched him, and had taken away the phone when he tried to call the police.

Upon reviewing disclosure, we found several inconsistencies in the case against our client. We leveraged the weaknesses that we had identified in the Crown’s case to persuade the Crown to resolve the matter with a peace bond. Upon signing the peace bond, the charges against our client were withdrawn.

Successful Result: Peace Bond, Charges Withdrawn

FAQs

No, if you sign a peace bond, you don’t have a criminal record. A peace bond is not a guilty verdict or a criminal conviction; it is a court order to stay away from someone. If you only agreed to a peace bond, you can honestly say that you’ve never been found guilty of a crime. Some people are, however, surprised that a peace bond can still show up in some background checks.

It is still possible to be charged with a crime if you accidentally break your peace bond. The law doesn’t automatically forgive mistakes. The circumstances of the breach will be important for both whether charges are filed and how the case moves forward, and your lawyer will fight to have the accidental nature of the breach recognized.

The standard peace bond lasts up to 12 months, and in practice, most are imposed for the full period, though shorter durations are sometimes negotiated. More serious peace bonds can last up to 24 months in certain circumstances.

Generally, no. Peace bond proceedings aren’t part of the public court record search employers typically use, and a peace bond isn’t a conviction. However, it may appear on a vulnerable sector check, required for jobs involving children or vulnerable people.

Get help with your criminal charge

Our lawyers know how to handle the Calgary court system, including navigating the complicated details of peace bonds.

We will explore all avenues to prevent charges from seriously impacting your life, including a peace bond, if appropriate.

We’ve defended over 10,000 cases in the past two decades, earning over 750 5-star reviews and receiving recognition for 8 consecutive years from Three Best Rated®.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Verified By: Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Last Modified: July 14, 2026

Michael Oykhman is a senior criminal defence lawyer and the founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a leading firm with offices across Western Canada and Ontario. With nearly 20 years of legal experience, he has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has successfully defended thousands of clients.

Experience

  • Proven Results: Successfully managed over 10,000 criminal cases, experience in complex matters such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
  • Strategic Problem Solver: Trained as a trial lawyer but recognized for his experience in alternative resolution strategies, often securing the best outcomes for clients without a case ever going to trial.
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Authority: Licensed to practice law in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Education & Academic Leadership

  • Education: Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
  • Academic Distinctions: Recipient of the Crown Association Prize (top grade in criminal law) and was the first-ever finalist for the University of Calgary at the Gale Cup Moot.
  • Teaching & Mentorship: Currently serves as the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Advanced Criminal/Constitutional Appellate Advocacy.

Credentials & Recognition

  • Top-Rated Advocacy: An 8-time recipient of the Three Best Rated® Top Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year award in Calgary.
  • Professional Memberships: Active member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) of Calgary.
  • Connect with Michael: Bio | LinkedIn | Firm Office: (403) 719-6410