Dumas Mehar Law
Areas of Practice
Threats & Harassment
TORONTO CRIMINAL LAWYER DEFENDING AGAINST THREATS AND CRIMINAL HARASSMENT CHARGES
Many people are unaware that the words they say or their behaviour towards another person, can in certain circumstances result in the serious criminal charges of criminal harassment or uttering threats being laid against them. The consequences of a conviction for either of these charges can be severe, and include a prison sentences of up to 5 years for uttering threats, and up to 10 years for criminal harassment.
For years, we have zealously defended our clients from all types of harassment and threats related charges, achieving a positive record of success. If you are facing charges for either of these offences, contact us now to get help from an experienced criminal lawyer.
What is Criminal Harassment?
There are many actions that can lead to criminal harassment charges being laid. The essential element of the offence is that the accused person is aware (or reckless to the fact) that the other person was harassed by his conduct, and that his conduct caused the other person to reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of someone they know.
The types of conduct that can lead to criminal harassment charges include:
(a) Repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them.
(b) Repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them.
(c) Besetting or watching the dwelling-house, or place where the other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be.
(d) Engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family.
What Constitutes a Criminal Threat?
Criminal charges for uttering a threat can be result from knowingly telling, conveying or causing someone to receive a threat:
(a) to cause death or bodily harm to any person;
(b) to burn, destroy or damage real or personal property;
(c) to kill, poison or injure an animal or bird that is the property of another person.
In determining whether or not a person's words constitute a threat, the words are to be viewed objectively in the context and circumstances in which they were spoken. A threat to cause the death of a member of a group or persons, even if the threat not specifically directed to any particular person in that group, is also an offence.
