Charged With
Assault Causing Bodily Harm
in Toronto? We Can Help.
Assault causing bodily harm sits between simple assault and aggravated assault, and can be prosecuted by indictment or summarily. Legal Solutions Law Firm fights to keep the charge in the least serious form possible — or dismissed entirely.
Toronto Bodily Harm Defence
Toronto Bodily Harm Charges: Whether the Injury Meets the Legal Standard
Assault causing bodily harm under Criminal Code s.267(b) applies when an assault results in an injury that interferes with health or comfort and is more than merely transient or trifling. Bruising, cuts requiring stitches, and minor fractures commonly fall into this category — but the legal threshold is more specific than it first appears.
This offence can be prosecuted either summarily or by indictment, and the Crown's election significantly affects the potential penalty. We work to have the matter prosecuted in the least serious form available, or to have it withdrawn entirely where self-defence or credibility issues are present.
Legal Solutions Law Firm reviews the medical evidence and the full circumstances of every bodily harm allegation. Call or text 416-274-2222 for a free, confidential consultation.
We assess whether the alleged injury actually meets the "more than trifling" legal standard required for this charge.
The Crown's election significantly affects your exposure. We advocate for the least serious classification available.
We examine whether the force used was a reasonable response to a perceived threat.
Know your total cost upfront. No hourly billing, with flexible payment options available.
Real-World Scenarios
Common Bodily Harm Scenarios We Handle
Assault causing bodily harm charges arise from a wide range of circumstances. Here are common situations we see across Toronto.
Bar or Nightclub Altercation With Injury
A fight resulting in a cut, bruising, or a minor fracture, often with disputed accounts of who was the aggressor.
Domestic Incident
An allegation arising from a relationship or family dispute involving visible injury such as bruising or scratches.
Workplace Physical Dispute
A physical altercation between coworkers that results in an injury and a subsequent complaint.
Road Rage Incident
A physical confrontation following a traffic dispute that results in injury to one of the drivers.
Sports or Recreational Altercation
An incident during a recreational league game or activity where contact goes beyond what is expected in the sport.
What We Handle
Bodily Harm Charges We Defend
We handle assault causing bodily harm allegations arising from a wide range of circumstances across the GTA.
Our Approach
How We Defend Your Case
Call us any time — 24/7. We review the allegation and your version of events at no cost.
If you are held in custody, we act immediately to secure your release on suitable conditions.
We obtain and analyze the medical records to determine whether the injury meets the legal threshold for this charge.
We obtain all Crown evidence, including statements and video, to identify weaknesses and inconsistencies.
We negotiate directly with the Crown, working toward a withdrawal, peace bond, or reduction wherever possible.
If necessary, we take the matter to trial and rigorously test the Crown's evidence on the injury and the sequence of events.
Plain Language Legal Guide
Assault Causing Bodily Harm — What You Need to Know
Say Nothing to the Police
Regardless of what you believe happened, do not discuss the incident with police without a lawyer present.
The details of how the injury occurred are often central to the case, and an unguarded statement can significantly harm your position.
Not Every Injury Qualifies
The legal standard requires an injury that is "more than transient or trifling" — bruises that heal within days may not meet this threshold in every case, depending on the specific facts.
We obtain and review the medical evidence carefully to assess whether the Crown can actually establish this element.
Summary vs. Indictable — Why It Matters
The Crown can prosecute this offence summarily (lower maximum penalty) or by indictment (higher maximum penalty). We advocate for the summary route wherever the circumstances support it.
This election can significantly affect your sentencing exposure if convicted.
Self-Defence Remains Available
If the injury resulted from a reasonable act of self-defence or defence of another person, this remains a complete defence to the charge.
We carefully investigate the full sequence of events, including who acted first and the proportionality of the response.
Negotiated Resolutions
Many bodily harm cases resolve through negotiation with the Crown, particularly where credibility issues exist or the medical evidence is ambiguous.
Common outcomes include a withdrawal, peace bond, or discharge — all avoiding a permanent criminal record.
Long-Term Consequences of a Conviction
A conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, and international travel, making a thorough defence worthwhile even where some evidence exists against you.
We fight for the best possible outcome in every case we take on.
Know the Process
Where Your Case Is Heard — Toronto Courts
Assault causing bodily harm is a hybrid offence — most Toronto cases proceed summarily through the Ontario Court of Justice, though the Crown can elect to proceed by indictment for more serious injuries.
Ontario Court of Justice — 10 Armoury Street
Toronto's criminal matters — including first appearances, bail hearings, and trials for summary and many indictable offences — are heard at 10 Armoury Street. This purpose-built courthouse opened in 2023, consolidating the criminal courts formerly split across Old City Hall and College Park into one 17-storey building, the largest courthouse in Ontario.
Superior Court of Justice — 361 University Avenue
More serious indictable matters and jury trials are heard at the Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue, which houses both the Criminal and Family branches. This is a separate courthouse from 330 and 393 University Avenue, which handle Superior Court civil matters.
Know What's at Stake
Potential Penalties
Assault causing bodily harm is a hybrid offence, meaning the Crown can proceed summarily or by indictment. The Crown's election significantly affects your exposure. The information below is general — your actual exposure depends on the specific facts of your case.
Maximum penalty of up to 2 years less a day in jail and/or a fine, typically used for less serious injuries and first-time matters.
Maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment where the Crown elects to proceed by indictment, generally reserved for more serious injuries or aggravating factors.
A conviction results in a criminal record unless the matter resolves by discharge, peace bond, or withdrawal.
Where the medical evidence does not clearly meet the bodily harm threshold, a reduction to simple assault is a realistic outcome in many cases.
Understanding Your Options
Possible Case Outcomes — Best to Worst
Every criminal case can result in a range of outcomes. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible result — and in the vast majority of cases, that means no jail and no permanent criminal record.
Charged With Assault Causing Bodily Harm? Let's Review the Evidence.
The medical threshold and the Crown's election both significantly affect your case. Legal Solutions Law Firm is available 24/7 — your consultation is always free.
Why Legal Solutions
Why Choose Our Toronto Bodily Harm Defence Lawyers
Bodily harm cases require careful attention to the medical evidence and strategic advocacy on how the Crown elects to proceed. Ryan Manilla has handled these matters at the Ontario Bar for over 15 years.
We fight for the least serious classification and the best possible resolution in every case.
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
I had a very positive experience with Legal Solutions Law Firm. Ryan represented me in a family court matter and provided excellent guidance and support throughout the entire process. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to answer my questions and explain everything clearly. Family court matters can be stressful, but Ryan helped make the process much easier and gave me confidence every step of the way. I truly appreciated his dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I highly recommend Legal Solutions Law Firm and Ryan to anyone looking for a compassionate and experienced family lawyer.
We tried to defend ourselves in civil court, but ultimately decided to hire Ryan — and it was the wisest decision we have made in the last two years of hell with our condo managers. Ryan and his team have been exceptional: swift, sharp, on the ball, and always asking the right questions while making the right arguments to move our case forward to the Superior Court.
Ryan did an outstanding job on my case. He was clear, professional, and always kept me informed. Thanks to his hard work, my charges were dropped. I’m very grateful and highly recommend him.
I wish I could add five more stars to show how happy we are with the legal services of Ryan J. Manilla and his team. They took charge of our legal matters, worked tirelessly on short notice, and delivered outstanding legal documents on time. Their teamwork, professionalism, patience, and understanding of our situation gave us tremendous peace of mind. Most importantly, we sleep better at night knowing that we are in good hands, with a legal team that has the expertise and compassion to handle sensitive matters with care.
I had a great experience working with Ryan at Legal Solutions. He is professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. Any time I had questions, he got back to me quickly and provided practical advice. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
I was going through anxiety not knowing what to expect with my case. Ryan explained everything simply and stood up for me at my hearing. I’m really thankful for his help!
I had such a stressful time trying to find legal help. I felt lost and hopeless when I got a notice to appear at the LTB. When I found Ryan, he stepped up and defended me. He’s knowledgeable about both the LTB and criminal law, and most importantly he’s tough! Exactly what I was looking for. I’m so glad I found him.
Ryan is a tough lawyer who defended us during a very difficult time. He helped me with a Landlord and Tenant Board issue. People told me to get a paralegal, but the ones I contacted either wouldn’t help or couldn’t communicate well in English. When I found Ryan, he explained the situation clearly and told me what to do. He showed up to the hearing tough and ready to go. I’m so glad I found him!
One of the best. Well poised, smart articulate. Know his stuff and one of the best lawyer out there to work with.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Defending Clients Across Toronto and the GTA
Our Reach
Serving Every Toronto Neighbourhood
From assault causing bodily harm charges arising downtown to cases across the inner suburbs, Legal Solutions Law Firm defends clients throughout Toronto.
From My Experience: The Medical Record Decides More Bodily Harm Cases Than People Expect
Clients are often surprised when I ask for the actual medical records rather than just taking the injury description in the police report at face value. The legal threshold for "bodily harm" is specific, and not every injury that looks serious in a photograph actually meets it.
Why the Crown's Election Matters
One detail many people don't realize is that the Crown chooses whether to prosecute this offence summarily or by indictment, and that decision significantly affects your exposure if convicted. Part of my job early in every file is building the strongest possible case for the summary route.
I've also seen plenty of cases where the "victim" wasn't entirely innocent in how the altercation started — and that context changes everything about how we approach the defence. If you've been charged with assault causing bodily harm, don't assume the medical report is the final word. Call me and let's go through it together: 416-274-2222.
Free Resources
Tools & Guides
Trying to understand how long your case might take or whether self-defence applies to your situation? These free tools and guides can help:
Speak With a Bodily Harm Defence Lawyer Today
Facing an assault causing bodily harm charge? Contact Legal Solutions Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.