WEBVTT

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Charged with breaching a

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no-contact order.

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Keep obeying every effective

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condition and get criminal

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legal help promptly.

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A new charge can lead to arrest

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and a fresh bail decision

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before trial.

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It does not automatically mean

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conviction.

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Save the order, charge papers,

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and original messages.

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If arrested or detained, ask to

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speak with a lawyer.

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Start with the document, not

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its nickname.

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A peace bond is different from

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a police undertaking or court

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release order.

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Criminal code offences cover

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those breaches.

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A civil protection order can

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also lead to criminal

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prosecution.

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Ask your lawyer to identify the

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exact provision charged, the

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condition, and whether the

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order was effective when the

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alleged conduct happened.

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Yes.

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Ontario restraining orders,

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British Columbia family

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protection orders and Quebec

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civil protection orders can be

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enforced through criminal

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proceedings.

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Their details differ.

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Older Ontario orders have

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transitional rules.

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Alberta has a separate

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provincial offence for

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breaching its family violence

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protection orders.

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Do not assume every order uses

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the same offence, proof of

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notice or penalty.

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Imagine a message arrives, come

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over and collect your things.

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That invitation does not itself

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change your conditions.

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Check any express exception,

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including its consent

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requirements.

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A reply, a visit, or asking a

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friend to pass on a message may

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be prohibited.

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Parenting arrangements do not

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give blanket permission either.

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Your lawyer needs every

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overlapping order.

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For a bail condition offence,

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the Crown must prove more than

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that you should have known

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better.

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It must prove beyond reasonable

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doubt the required knowledge,

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or deliberate blindness, and

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knowing noncompliance or

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consciously taking a

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substantial, unjustified risk

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of noncompliance.

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An honest factual mistake may

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matter.

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Misunderstanding the law is

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different.

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Your lawyer must assess the

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evidence and any lawful excuse.

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Yes.

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Release can be cancelled and

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bail reconsidered.

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In specified cases, you must

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justify release and clearly

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demonstrate a plan addressing

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the legal risks.

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July 2026 reforms changed these

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rules.

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Prepare realistic housing,

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attendance, and safety

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arrangements with your lawyer.

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The court assesses the

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applicable test.

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Neither automatic release nor

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automatic detention follows

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from every breach allegation.

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Some bail compliance failures

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can go to a judicial referral

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hearing if the prosecutor seeks

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it.

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The failure must not have

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caused a victim physical or

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emotional harm, property

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damage, or economic loss.

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The court reviews conditions

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and can, in some cases, order

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detention.

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A qualifying decision dismisses

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the related breach charge.

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This is not automatic or a

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general alternative for peace

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bond breaches.

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If prosecuted by indictment, a

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peace bond breach carries a

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maximum of four years in

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prison.

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Failure to comply with a

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release condition carries a

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two-year maximum on indictment.

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Those are ceilings, not

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predictions.

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The prosecution route, facts,

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record and applicable

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sentencing law matter.

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Provincial offences can have

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different penalties.

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Get advice before deciding any

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plea.

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Ask your lawyer about the

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correct variation process.

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A police undertaking can be

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varied with your and the

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prosecutor's written consent, a

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justice can also consider an

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application.

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Court release and protection

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orders have their own

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processes.

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Until an effective change, keep

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complying.

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Attend as required, preserve

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original records, and do not

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contact a protected person to

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negotiate the case.

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For free general legal

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information, Legal Hotline's

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Canada number is on your screen

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now.

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Legal Hotline is not a law

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firm.

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Its information line uses AI.

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Lawyer matching is a separate

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service, subject to

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availability and acceptance.

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For advice on your own

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situation, speak with a lawyer

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in your province.

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In immediate danger, contact

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emergency services.