Point Duty Traffic Court Defence & Legal Services — Licensed Paralegal OntarioPoint DutyTraffic Court Defence and Legal Services
Criminal Code s.265 / s.266

Assault charges in Toronto, Ontario.

Quick Answer — Toronto

Point Duty defends assault charges under Criminal Code s.266, where no injury is required — any intentional force without consent meets the threshold. A summary conviction carries up to two years less a day and a criminal record that reaches employment, U.S. travel, and immigration status. A licensed paralegal can act; peace bonds, diversion, and discharges leave no record.

At the Toronto criminal courthouse on Armoury Street, the first thing Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services checks on an assault file is not whether you struck anyone — it's whether the Crown has designated the matter domestic, because that one flag moves your case into Toronto's domestic violence stream, restricts contact with the complainant before trial, and largely decides whether a s.810 peace bond or PARS resolution is available to you at all.

Any intentional application of force without consent — from a shove to a strike. Defended on consent, self-defence, de minimis, or evidentiary grounds.

Courthouse
Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)
Court Phone
(416) 327-5707
Consultation
Free & Confidential
i.

What the charge means

Under section 265 of the Criminal Code, a person commits assault when they intentionally apply force to another person, either directly or indirectly, without that person's consent. Simple assault under section 266 is a hybrid offence: up to five years on indictment, or up to two years less a day on summary conviction.

ii.

Penalties

Summary conviction: up to 2 years less a day imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000. On indictment: up to 5 years. A criminal record can affect employment, travel to the United States, and immigration status. Conditional discharges, peace bonds, and diversion are available in appropriate cases.

iii.

Available defences

  • Consent of the complainant
  • Self-defence under s.34
  • Defence of another person
  • Lack of intent to apply force
  • Identification or alibi
iv.

The process

First appearance, Crown screening form, judicial pre-trial, resolution discussions, and trial if necessary. Most matters resolve before trial through a peace bond, diversion, or withdrawal.

v.

Notes for Toronto

Toronto runs three Provincial Offences courts, not one — Toronto South on Front Street East, Toronto East on Markham Road, and Toronto West on Eglinton Avenue West. Which one hears your ticket is set by where it was issued. Summary criminal charges go to the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street. We appear at all four.

Criminal Court

Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)

10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M5T 0C2

(416) 327-5707

All Toronto criminal matters. Consolidated the former Old City Hall, College Park, 1000 Finch West, 2201 Finch West, 1911 Eglinton East and 311 Jarvis courthouses in March 2023.

Local practice notes reviewed 2026-09-01

Common Questions — Toronto

Where is an assault charge heard in Toronto?

Toronto assault matters are heard at Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice), 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M5T 0C2. The court's number is (416) 327-5707. Point Duty appears there.

Who lays assault charges in Toronto?

In Toronto, assault charges are laid by Toronto Police Service, OPP and RCMP. The charge is then heard at Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice).

How long does an assault charge take in Toronto?

Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services sees Toronto criminal matters take 8 to 15 months to complete, despite the Chief Justice of Ontario's directive that a matter be set down for trial or resolved with a plea within six months.

How does the Crown handle assault in Toronto?

Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services finds that, depending on the nature and seriousness of an offence, a Toronto Crown does offer diversion, a peace bond, or a conditional or absolute discharge. On occasion they may resolve a matter with a donation to a charity, though that is occasional and dependent on the Crown.

Do I have to attend court in person in Toronto?

Toronto criminal court does run virtual appearances. At case management stages the appearances can be virtual, although the accused person can appear in person if they wish. Generally, you only need to appear in person if there is going to be a guilty plea, and if you ask the court for permission to appear virtually for a guilty plea, it is often granted where jail is not on the table. For the moment, peace bonds can be heard virtually. Trials, however, have to be done in person unless there are some extreme extenuating circumstances.

What else should I know about Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)?

All the courts that used to be spread across Toronto are now in one place. It is easy to reach by transit on the University line of the subway, and there is paid parking in the area. Everyone has to go through security. The case management courts are usually on the second floor, in front of a justice of the peace, but when things are taking too long they end up in front of a judge, usually on the eighth floor — which is also where a guilty plea before a judge is usually done. The case management drug court is on the tenth floor. Paralegals cannot handle youth matters; the youth courts are on the sixth floor. The Chief Justice has issued a directive that matters must be set down for trial or resolved within six months, and the court is not too backed up anymore.
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