One Call, Immediate Consequences:
In Alberta, a single call to 911 about domestic violence can turn your life upside down even if the accusation is exaggerated, taken out of context, or entirely false.
Police are trained to act quickly. You could be arrested, removed from your home, and banned from seeing your partner or children. Even if the complainant later regrets the call or asks to drop the charges, that decision is no longer in their hands.
Only the Crown prosecutor has the discretion to withdraw or stay charges.
If you’ve been accused, your best chance of avoiding long-term damage is to act fast and speak with a lawyer before taking any other steps.
Table of Contents
What Counts as Domestic Violence in Alberta?
Domestic violence is not just limited to a physical assault. Under Canadian law, it can include:
* Threats and Intimidation (in person or digitally).
* Criminal Harassment (in person or digitally).
* Stalking or a fear of imminent violence.
Police and prosecutors treat allegations within a family or intimate partnership as high risk and high priority. A shouting match, angry texts, or a neighbour’s call about raised voices can lead to charges.
What Happens When Police Respond?
Once police arrive and believe on reasonable and probable grounds that an offence has occurred, they will typically arrest the person alleged to have committed the offence. Arrest warrants are almost always not required, and the arrest happens
immediately.
You may be released from custody, but under strict conditions. These often include:
* No contact with the complainant.
* No return to the family home.
* Restricted communication with your children.
These rules apply even before a trial. Breaching them, even accidentally or by the inducement of the complainant, is a separate offence and can lead to additional charges. If your bail or release conditions are too harsh, a lawyer can request to
have the terms varied.
What to Do If You’ve Been Accused:
Do not try to explain yourself to the police. Anything you say can be used in court. And do not breach a no-contact order, the consequences can be severe.
Instead, speak with a criminal defence lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can:
* Review the police disclosure and evidence.
* Represent you at your bail hearing.
* Challenge onerous release conditions.
* Assist in your defence at trial, especially if the allegations are false or retaliatory.
What If the Accusation Isn’t True?
Unfortunately, false or exaggerated accusations happen especially in the heat of an argument, custody dispute, or breakup. But even a single unproven allegation can:
* Damage your relationship with your children.
* Threaten your immigration status.
* Jeopardize your employment.
* Harm your reputation in the community.
A skilled defence lawyer can work to expose inconsistencies in the case, demonstrate your character, and push for charges to be dropped or resolved before trial.
Why Charges Are Serious Even Without a Conviction:
A domestic violence charge can affect your life beyond the criminal courtroom:
* Family Law Proceedings: Family court judges may limit parenting time or require supervised access based solely on the existence of charges.
* Stigma: The accusation alone can affect how you are perceived by your family, in your community, at work, and by others in your life. Don’t underestimate the long-term impact of a domestic violence charge.
How Shim Law Can Help:
At Shim Law, we defend individuals accused of domestic violence with discretion, respect, and understanding. We know that every case is different and that not all accusations are clear-cut.
Our Calgary-based criminal lawyers will:
* Assess the evidence against you and the legal risks.
* Help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
* Represent you at all stages of the legal process.
* Work to remove or reduce your release conditions.
* Fight for your reputation, your freedom, and your future.
If you have been accused, do not delay. The earlier you speak to a lawyer, the more options you may have.
Call us at (587) 391-9580 and request a confidential consultation today.
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