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Céline Dostaler
What are the Consequences of Agreeing to a Peace Bond in Ontario?
When you’re charged with a criminal offence—especially something like assault, harassment, or a domestic incident—it can feel like your life is on hold. You may be eager for any opportunity to move on and avoid a criminal conviction. That’s often when a peace bond is proposed.
While a peace bond might seem like a simple solution, it’s critical to understand what you’re agreeing to. A peace bond is not a criminal conviction, but it still has serious legal consequences that can affect your freedom, your record, and your future. In this post, I’ll walk you through what a peace bond really is, what conditions come with it, and why you should speak to a criminal defence lawyer before signing anything.
What Is a Peace Bond?
A peace bond is a court order under Section 810 of the Criminal Code of Canada that requires a person to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour” for up to 12 months. In practical terms, it means the accused agrees to stay away from certain people, places, or behaviours without admitting guilt or receiving a criminal conviction.
Peace bonds are often used in cases where:
- The Crown’s evidence is weak or circumstantial,
- The complainant wants legal protection but may not want to go through a trial,
- The accused has no prior criminal record,
- Both parties want to avoid the emotional toll of litigation.
In many Ontario courts—such as Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth, Brockville, and L’Orignal—peace bonds are a common resolution in domestic or minor assault cases.
What Happens When You Enter a Peace Bond?
When you agree to a peace bond:
- The criminal charge is withdrawn, meaning there is no guilty plea or conviction on your record.
- You must agree to specific conditions, usually for 12 months.
- You are required to attend court to sign the bond formally.
- The bond becomes a legal court order enforceable by police.
It’s important to remember: you are not admitting to any wrongdoing by entering a peace bond. It’s a promise to follow certain rules in the future—not a statement about what happened in the past.
Typical Conditions in a Peace Bond
The terms of a peace bond vary depending on the circumstances, but common conditions include:
- No contact with the complainant (directly or through third parties)
- Not to attend certain places, such as the complainant’s home, workplace, or school
- No weapons, including firearms, knives, or even hunting gear
- No alcohol or drug use (particularly if the alleged incident involved substance use)
- Mandatory counselling or anger management programs
- Supervised contact with children, in some domestic cases
You’ll also be required to notify the court or police of any change of address. If you break any of these conditions, it can lead to criminal charges for breach of a peace bond—with far more serious consequences.
Is a Peace Bond a Criminal Conviction?
No. Entering into a peace bond does not result in a conviction and does not automatically appear on your criminal record. However, that doesn’t mean it’s invisible.
Here’s how it can still affect you:
- A peace bond is recorded in CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) for the full 12 months.
- Even after it expires, local police may retain a record of it.
- Employers, licensing bodies, and immigration officials may still access the information during background checks.
- It may show up on vulnerable sector checks, which are commonly required for jobs involving children, seniors, or sensitive roles (e.g., healthcare, teaching, volunteering).
In some cases, peace bonds can trigger red flags for visa applications, permanent residency, or citizenship.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand the non-criminal but real-world effects of entering into one.
What Happens If You Breach a Peace Bond?
Breaching a peace bond is a serious offence under Section 811 of the Criminal Code. You could face:
- A criminal conviction for breach of recognizance or undertaking,
- Jail time (up to 4 years on indictment),
- Additional restrictions or bail conditions,
- Loss of eligibility for future peace bonds or diversion programs.
Even minor or accidental breaches—like a chance encounter with the complainant at a grocery store—can have consequences if the Crown believes you didn’t make an effort to avoid contact.
Pro tip: If you’re unsure whether a certain action violates your peace bond, ask your lawyer first.
Do Peace Bonds Affect Family Law or Parenting Rights?
Yes, they can.
If you’re involved in a custody or access dispute, a peace bond may affect how the family court views your parenting. For example:
- Conditions like “no contact with the complainant” may interfere with shared parenting arrangements,
- A weapons ban or alcohol restriction might be used to argue that you’re a risk to the child,
- A peace bond could trigger a report to Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in some cases.
It’s essential to coordinate your defence strategy with any existing family law proceedings, and to understand how accepting a peace bond could be used against you outside of the criminal courts.
When Is a Peace Bond a Good Option?
Every case is different, but peace bonds can be a smart resolution when:
- The Crown’s evidence is weak, but you don’t want to risk a trial,
- You have no prior record, and want to avoid the consequences of a conviction,
- You want to resolve the matter quickly, with no jail or probation,
- You can live with the conditions for 12 months without major disruption,
- You want to avoid the cost and stress of a contested trial.
Peace bonds are particularly helpful for first-time accused persons or those seeking to protect employment, immigration status, or family stability.
However, they are not always the right choice. In some situations, a strong defence at trial may lead to an acquittal—or conditions of the bond may be too burdensome to accept.
Why You Should Speak to a Lawyer Before Agreeing to a Peace Bond
Even though it’s not a conviction, a peace bond is still a binding legal order. If you sign one without understanding the conditions—or the long-term consequences—you may be setting yourself up for problems down the road.
A criminal defence lawyer can:
- Negotiate better conditions or modified terms,
- Explain how the bond may affect your job, immigration, or family,
- Help you decide whether trial or resolution is the better path,
- Ensure the Crown actually follows through on withdrawing the charge after the bond is signed.
Never accept a peace bond because it seems like the “easy way out” without getting legal advice.
Conclusion: Understand the Consequences Before You Sign
A peace bond can be a useful tool to resolve criminal charges, but it is not without consequences. It may restrict your freedom, affect your job prospects, or complicate your family life—often long after the bond itself has expired.
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence and are considering a peace bond in Ottawa, Orleans, Kanata, Pembroke, Perth, Brockville, or L’Orignal, speak to a criminal defence lawyer before agreeing to anything in court. Protecting your record—and your future—starts with making informed legal decisions.
Facing a criminal charge or offered a peace bond? Call Céline Dostaler today. I handle every case personally and will help you decide the best path forward. Contact me now.
