Barrison & Manitius

08/28/2026

Assault charges exist on a spectrum defined by the presence of a weapon, the severity of any injuries, and the level of legal risk involved.

Understanding the legal distinction between simple assault, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, and aggravated assault is crucial when navigating the criminal justice system. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, penalties vary significantly - ranging from summary convictions to potential prison sentences of up to 14 years for severe offences.

Read our latest blog post to understand how Canadian courts assess intent, harm, and charge severity: https://ow.ly/VfiB50ZGcB3

Learn the differences between assault, assault with a weapon, bodily harm and aggravated assault charges under Canadian criminal law.

08/25/2026

While overall crime rates are down, new legislation and political debates continue to reshape how justice is handled in Canada. Perceptions of public safety rarely change overnight, but changes to bail laws, mandatory minimum sentences, and new Criminal Code offences directly impact how cases are prosecuted in our courts.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in the Durham Region, shifting legislation makes having an experienced legal defence more critical than ever.

In July, Statistics Canada said that both the rates and severity of reported crime were down almost all across the board in 2025.

08/14/2026

The Supreme Court of Canada in Quebec (Attorney General) v. Denis, 2026 SCC 25, restored the six-month mandatory minimum sentence for attempting to obtain sexual services from a minor for consideration.

Reversing the Quebec Court of Appeal, the majority ruled that the sentence does not violate section 12 of the Charter, confirming that sexual offences targeting youth carry high moral blameworthiness and setting a high legal bar to prove gross disproportionality.

Our latest blog analyzes Quebec (Attorney General) v. Denis, the framework for reasonable hypotheticals, and parliamentary latitude in mandatory sentencing.

https://ow.ly/mrHl50Zzron

The Supreme Court upholds a six-month mandatory jail term and clarifies section 12 Charter analysis in a child sexual services case.

08/12/2026

Across every corner of the world, young people face vastly different local realities, yet their core aspirations remain identical. Everyone deserves access to quality education, decent work, and a voice in shaping their future. On International Youth Day, we celebrate the shared ambition that unites youth globally.

08/07/2026

The enforcement metrics reported by the Toronto Police Service highlight an increasing intersection between property theft, loss prevention, and organized criminal networks.

When retail theft shifts from isolated shoplifting to coordinated "steal-to-order" operations, the resulting criminal proceedings frequently involve multi-jurisdictional investigations, aggregated charges, and complex evidentiary standards. Beyond the immediate criminal charges under the Criminal Code, these commercial disruptions create significant legal exposures for corporate retailers, including property loss recovery, employee safety liability under occupational health and safety legislation, and the civil enforcement of trespass and exclusion directives.

Police describe the unit as creating a 'direct and consistent point of contact for retailers,' and said it also introduced a streamlined reporting process.

08/04/2026

Manslaughter remains one of the most complex offences under the Criminal Code of Canada, carrying profound legal consequences despite lacking the deliberate intent required for murder.

Charges typically arise from unlawful act manslaughter, such as a physical assault, or criminal negligence resulting in death, with key litigation issues focusing heavily on causation, objective foreseeability of bodily harm, and constitutional fault requirements. Because Canadian law imposes no mandatory minimum sentence for manslaughter - except where a firearm is involved - penalties range from suspended sentences to life imprisonment, making immediate procedural strategy and evidentiary analysis critical.

Our latest criminal defence FAQ breaks down the legal elements of the offence, trial defences, self-defence principles, and sentencing considerations under Ontario law.

https://ow.ly/ZJ4k50ZweJM

Learn about manslaughter charges in Ontario, including causation, penalties, unlawful act manslaughter, and possible defences.

07/31/2026

The long weekend is finally here! A quick reminder that our offices will be closed this Monday. We look forward to connecting with you when we reopen on Tuesday.

07/28/2026

The Ontario government is expanding its correctional canine program, adding four new drug-detection dogs to help intercept minute quantities of contraband across the province’s 25 adult correctional institutions. https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/07/10/more-drug-detecting-dogs-coming-to-ontario-jails-correctional-centres/

Ontario's jails, detention and correctional centres are welcoming some new staff—four dogs trained to detect drugs.

07/20/2026

A Brampton truck driver convicted of smuggling $7.5 million worth of drugs has reportedly fled the country after cutting off his GPS ankle monitor. The escape occurred days before his sentencing and after a judge denied a Crown request to revoke his bail following the guilty verdict, fueling the ongoing national debate surrounding conditional release. https://ow.ly/LXui50ZnNNz

Days before Charanpreet Singh was due to be sentenced, he allegedly cut off his GPS ankle monitor

07/17/2026

In the recent case of R. v. Gurhan, the Ontario Court of Appeal provided a critical review of how circumstantial evidence is evaluated in joint-occupancy settings. The case centred on drugs, cash, and a loaded firearm discovered during searches of a Thunder Bay residence and an outdoor vehicle.

The Court allowed the appeal in part, overturning convictions related to the cash and oxycodone found inside the home due to insufficient proof of constructive possession. However, it upheld the convictions for the co***ne and firearm hidden in the vehicle, finding the circumstantial evidence connected to the car met the legal standard.

Our latest blog breaks down how Ontario courts weigh circumstantial evidence and the high threshold required to establish possession in shared spaces.

https://ow.ly/qrc650ZnPUn

ONCA examines constructive possession, drug charges, firearm offences, and circumstantial evidence following a police search.