What Is a Peace Bond?
A peace bond is a court order requiring a person to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, often with conditions such as no contact. It can be sought where someone reasonably fears that another person will cause injury to them, their family, or their property, or will share an intimate image of them.
Peace bonds are also commonly used to resolve criminal charges: the charge is withdrawn and the accused enters into a peace bond, with no finding of guilt.
Seeking One, or Facing One
If you need protection, a peace bond can be pursued through the court with evidence of your reasonable fear. If one is being sought against you, you can contest it, negotiate the terms, or agree to it as part of resolving a charge. Either way, the conditions should be clear and workable.
How We Build Your Defence
Every defence starts with your disclosure. These are the issues we look at closely:
- Assessing whether a peace bond is the right resolution of a charge
- Negotiating clear, workable conditions
- Contesting an application that is not supported by the evidence
- Presenting evidence of reasonable fear when seeking protection
Common Questions
Does signing a peace bond mean I admit guilt?
No. A peace bond involves no finding of guilt and does not result in a criminal record.
Will it show up on a background check?
It may appear on some police checks while it is in effect. After it expires, it should not appear on a standard criminal record check, though vulnerable sector checks can differ.
What if the other person breaches it?
Breaching a peace bond is a criminal offence. Report it to police.
This page is general information about criminal law in Ontario, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Book a free consultation to talk about yours.