How Long Do Restraining Orders Last In Ontario?

I’m really glad you could join me today I want to talk about restraining orders and peace bonds. How long done a restraining order last in Ontario? Well, the first thing you no need to know the answer that question is what’s the difference between restraining order or a peace bond. Really, a restraining order in Ontario under our Family Law Act, a spouse, wife, married husband, or a spouse or wife can apply to, for a no contact order essentially. They can do it on a temporary basis emergency basis and a more long-term basis but certain conditions have to apply. You have to prove the reasonable fears that the person is molesting, annoying or aggravating you or hitting you or things like this, so that, you have to establish those reasonable fears. The advantage of that first of all, is that we put in place a lot longer than a peace bond, you can get that potentially for a number of years. And you could also get a much quicker emergency basis pending the real hearing you have where your spouse or your significant other will get a chance to testify. You’re going to try and prove your reasonable fears. The other side’s going to try and perhaps defend it. Now that’s totally different than a peace bond. A peace bond is under Section 810 of the Criminal Code. And this is essentially a non-contact order. It’s the recognizance that you enter into.  I should say the person who’s grieving, or annoying, molesting or you know, causing you grief or threatening you, that person will be required to enter into what’s called a section 810 peace bond. They don’t have to put up any money, but they’ll promise to forfeit $1,000 if they contact you essentially, if they show up at your workplace, home or speak to in a manner, and then they would also be charged with a criminal offence under Section 811 Breach recognizance or any other criminal offence that they made. Now the disadvantage of a peace bond is that it only lasts for one year. But the advantage of it, if a person contacts you during that year and they’ll be charged with a criminal offence, the police will arrest him and take them away and then they’ll face the music there. So, both apply to different situations. Sometimes it’s better for a person who’s a spouse to get through the restraining order route or the Family Law Act. All other people who don’t fall in that situation of at least having a child together, or a spouse, married or otherwise or common law have to do with a peace bond route but you have to establish the grounds I mean, you just can’t go get a restraining order peace bond, and know grounds you have to deal establish reasonable probable grounds that you had fear of injury, harm, harassment, annoyance, these types of things that the person is causing you. Grief, you know, at that fear level of psychological to otherwise. So there you have it, restraining orders can be put in place a lot of time under Ontario Family Law Act. Peace bonds can only put in place one year, but yet, during that year, the person will be charged other criminal offences if they ever reach out and contact you in any way. Thank you for watching our video, we are absolutely committed to bringing you the best possible criminal and DUI educational videos. If you found this video helpful, please like it and subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence in Ontario and require our services, please click on the link in the description below.