Stratford Assault Lawyer

We defend assault charges laid by the Stratford Police Service under Section 266 of the Criminal Code.

Our criminal lawyers defend all forms of assault charges laid under Section 266 of the Criminal Code by Stratford Police. Those charged with assault in Stratford will receive an Undertaking or Release Order with a court date at 1 Huron St, Stratford.

The accused will also receive a fingerprinting date if they have not already been fingerprinted upon arrest. The fingerprinting time and location will be printed on the court paperwork provided by the police.

While everyone charged with assault will be fingerprinted, these fingerprints can sometimes be destroyed later. Anyone charged with assault under Section 266 of the Criminal Code by Stratford Police should hire a lawyer immediately.

Your own lawyer should always be the first person to discuss your case with the Crown Attorney at the Stratford courthouse.

Hiring a lawyer as soon as assault charges are laid is always recommended. It is in the accused’s best interest to have their own personal lawyer to be the first person to review and discuss their case with the Crown Attorney.

During the initial stages key decisions are made on assault files, such as:

1. Whether to ultimately drop or withdraw the charges (possibly in exchange for a peace bond or not);


2. Whether to alter the release conditions to allow for contact between the accused and alleged victim while the case is pending (in domestic cases mostly); and,


3. Whether the Crown will offer a position that is in the accused’s best interest such as not seeking a jail sentence, house arrest, probation, or a criminal conviction record.

Whether the accused is a first time offender or someone with priors, having a lawyer to capitalize on windows of opportunity that can arise for the defence throughout the process is paramount. In some cases an accused may go to jail and/or receive a life-altering criminal record that could have been avoided entirely.

Defence strategies for subjective Crown decisions: If you are trying to get assault charges dropped in Stratford court it matters which Crown you deal with.

Assault cases are almost always subjective and triable. The accused may have acted in self defence, duress, or with the consent of the other party. Sometimes the allegation itself is completely fabricated (made up) often for financial or family law related reasons. It is easy to be falsely accused of assault in Canada.

Subjective positions will be taken by the police, the Crown Attorney, and other decision makers that can benefit or harm the accused. Hiring a lawyer who knows who is best to deal with (if possible) can be a tremendous advantage. We know which Crown Attorneys in Stratford court have been agreeable to us in the past and proactively try to deal with them when possible.

We always try to discuss your case with a Crown Attorney we feel will be agreeable to our requests. This includes requests for variations and exceptions to release conditions while the charges are pending. In domestic cases, obtaining a quick undertaking/bail variation can be the difference between the accused going back home with their family or being stuck apart from them for months (perhaps living in a motel).

We have Stratford assault case precedents that can help persuade the Crown to drop your charges.

In Ontario, the Crown Attorney strives for fairness and consistency in how prosecutorial discretion is used. Since our lawyers have successfully handled many previous cases at the Stratford courthouse, we are sometimes able to use these prior case precedents to persuade the Crown that your case is similar and that you should get the same deal.

Similar case presidents from the same courthouse are used during the initial pretrial stages. This includes both the Crown Pretrial (CPT) and Judicial Pretrial (JPT). In both of these processes our position is clear: It is only fair and consistent that you should also benefit from the same lenient position as our previous clients did (no jail, withdrawn charges, discharge, etc).

Not guilty acquittals: finding reasonable doubt at trial via cross examination.

If the Crown refuses to drop the charges or the case does not otherwise resolve, a trial will be held to determine if the Crown (prosecutor) can prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Our lawyers use cross examination, Charter applications, and other special procedures to uncover inconsistencies and raise reasonable doubt with the Crown's case. The accused may also testify to their innocence which if believed will lead to an acquittal.

Don’t think that just because you are charged you will be found guilty and convicted if the case goes to trial. Many people charged with assault in Stratford are ultimately found not guilty and acquitted. In some cases the only evidence against the accused is the testimony of the alleged victim, which may be found unreliable upon cross examination by the defence.

If you have been charged with assault in Stratford, give us a call now at 647-228-5969 for a free consultation.

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You don't have to jeopardize your future or waste thousands of dollars on excessive legal fees. We provide effective and affordable lawyer representation for those charged with assault throughout Ontario, Canada.

Have a skilled criminal lawyer who focuses on assault defence law in Stratford protect you and your future from the stigma and consequences of a criminal record and conviction.

Are you a lawyer? If you are defending a criminal case and are looking for expert advice regarding possible defences, case strategies, and information release management call us at: 647-228-5969.

Please note: We do not accept legal aid certificate cases. All clients are handled on a private retainer only.

*2025 Results: the percentage of 99% of clients avoiding a criminal record (conviction) stated on this page is based solely on Lawyer Mark Zinck's personal representation of approximately 2000 criminal defence case clients as of the year 2025. Past results are not necessarily an indication of future results.

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