What Common Crimes Carry Severe Penalties?
Friday, April 19, 2019 at 4:17AM
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A number of different crimes can land you in jail or worse, but some come with severe penalties that take effect immediately. Domestic violence criminal penalties, for example, often include lengthy jail sentences or counseling for even a first offence. While the initial penalty for distracted driving doesn’t carry jail time, a single infraction can result in short-term loss of your driver’s licence. Each of these crimes carries severe and immediate penalties that can hurt your livelihood, which is why you need to seek out a lawyer as soon as possible after an accusation.

Penalties for Distracted Driving in Ontario

Beginning in 2019, the penalties for distracted driving in Ontario increased sharply. Now, a single conviction can cost you $1,000 in fines and lose you your driver’s licence for three days. This is only for a first offence; subsequent fines can get as high as $3,000 and your licence suspension can last for up to 30 days. In the modern world, losing easy access to transportation can become crippling to your job and livelihood. That’s why you need to look for experienced distracted driving lawyers as soon as you face your initial charge. Your lawyer can review police procedure taken, circumstances around the charge, and the nature of the distraction in advance of your court case.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in Ontario

While the penalties for distracted driving act as a major inconvenience for citizens of Ontario, the penalties for domestic violence can seem downright devastating. Domestic violence often has jail time involved and usually involves a separation order that keeps you away from the person making the accusation. This could mean that your relationship with a partner or family member is essentially over. Furthermore, if the situation that led to the domestic violence charge also leads to divorce, getting custody of any children becomes an extremely difficult task. Seeking out a domestic violence lawyer becomes absolutely imperative to keep your life on track for the future.

Penalties for Sexual Assault in Ontario

Related to domestic violence and often involved in the charges is sexual assault. If you find yourself convicted of sexual assault, the absolute minimum you can hope for is six months of jail time and a $2,000 fine—and that’s if your case is tried as a summary conviction offence. Other sentences range from 10 years to life in prison, depending on the severity of the crime and mitigating circumstances. Sexual assault and domestic violence are often linked, which means that you could find yourself facing lengthy jail terms and fines for both crimes. In this case, a lawyer is effectively your only hope if you wish to go back to a normal life.

A relatively minor crime such as distracted driving can still cause a severe disruption in your life. A more major conviction, such as domestic violence or sexual assault, can wind up severely altering the rest of your life. If you find yourself facing any of these accusations, you should reach out to an experienced lawyer in your area right away.

 

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Article originally appeared on Reviews, News and Opinion with a Canadian Perspective (https://www.canadianreviewer.com/).
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