Affordable Sexual Assault Defence Lawyers in Ottawa
Updated: October 1, 2025
Facing sexual assault charges in Ottawa? Get immediate legal defence from an experienced Ottawa sexual assault defence lawyer.
The serious nature of sexual assault charges in Ontario demands immediate action. If you’ve been accused or charged with sexual assault in Ottawa, it’s critical to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced sexual assault defence lawyer as soon as possible. At Affordable Defence, we understand the urgency and complexity of these cases—and we’re here to protect your rights.
A conviction can lead to life-altering penalties, including jail time, mandatory registration on Ontario’s sex offender registry, and permanent damage to your reputation and career. But even if you’ve been falsely accused, the emotional, social, and legal consequences can be devastating.
We provide strategic, judgment-free legal defence for individuals facing sexual assault allegations—because in Canada, you are innocent until proven guilty, and every person deserves a strong legal advocate.
Protecting the rights & freedom of those charged with sexual assault
We will help you understand your charge and start considering the evidence against you.
If you are innocent, the claims against you have been fabricated, or the evidence against you is weak, we have every chance of building a strong defence.
Our priorities will be to:
- Identify weaknesses in the case against you
- Seek case dismissal so that it never goes to trial
- Defend your name vigorously if it does go to court
Sexual assault charges in Ontario
The fundamental charge of sexual assault, Section 271 of the Ontario criminal code, is for non-consensual touching of a sexual nature.
The key things to bear in mind are the term “consent” and whether the “sexual integrity” of the complainant is violated. This is an extremely complex area where mistakes can happen. There can be a genuine misunderstanding about consent.
While many people may rush to judgment, the truth is often considerably more complex. For both the victim of an alleged assault and for the accused, emotions run high and claims are difficult to prove and often difficult to defend against. The situation is made even more complex when the allegations from the alleged victim concern an event that took place many years ago.
Piecing together historical or recent events requires a sophisticated and experienced lawyer. We will help you go through the events, closely examine the evidence, and start to build your defence.
Examples of sexual assault
With sexual assault charges, there are numerous things to consider, such as:
- The part of the body that was touched
- The circumstances of the alleged offence
- The motive of the accused
- The behaviour of each party involved
A charge of sexual assault encompasses a wide area of behaviour, with differing degrees of gravity.
It can range from fondling and unwanted touching of a sexual nature to rape. All such offences are considered sexual assault crimes in Canada.
Penalties for sexual assault in Ottawa
If your case goes to trial before a judge or jury, it is likely that you will have already experienced some negative effects of a sexual assault charge.
The damage to relationships, family life, and reputation often start with accusations against you.
If you are convicted of sexual assault in Ottawa, there are other serious and far-reaching punishments according to Canadian law:
- A maximum of 10 years in prison
- A maximum of 3 years of probation
- A possible requirement to submit a DNA sample
- The inability to possess or have a firearm
- Registry on a sexual-offenders database
- A possible requirement for regular reporting to authorities
- Possible monitoring for the rest of your life
Aggravating Factors in a Sexual Assault Case
Under Canadian law, certain aggravating factors can significantly increase the severity of a sexual assault charge and the penalties upon conviction. Courts consider these factors during sentencing to determine whether enhanced punishments—such as mandatory minimum sentences or longer custodial terms—should apply.
Common aggravating factors in sexual assault cases include:
- The age of the complainant – offences involving victims under the age of 16 are treated more seriously and often trigger higher minimum sentences.
- Use of a weapon or imitation weapon during the offence.
- Threats or acts of violence, including bodily harm or threats that cause the victim to fear for their safety.
- Abuse of a position of trust or authority, such as a caregiver, teacher, coach, or employer.
- Multiple victims or repeat offences involving the same accused.
- Criminal history – especially prior convictions for similar offences.
In more serious cases, these factors may result in a charge of aggravated sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Additionally, individuals convicted of sexual assault are typically subject to mandatory registration under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA). This federal legislation requires offenders to report regularly to police and imposes long-term restrictions intended to help law enforcement monitor and investigate sexual offences.
If you’re facing a sexual assault charge where aggravating factors may be alleged, it is critical to seek immediate legal representation.
Contact our Ottawa sexual assault defence lawyers
Facing Sexual Assault Charges in Ottawa? Get Immediate Legal Defence from an Experienced Criminal Lawyer
The serious nature of sexual assault charges in Ontario demands immediate action. If you’ve been accused or charged with sexual assault in Ottawa, it’s critical to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced sexual assault defence lawyer as soon as possible. At Affordable Defence, we understand the urgency and complexity of these cases—and we’re here to protect your rights.
A conviction can lead to life-altering penalties, including jail time, mandatory registration on Ontario’s sex offender registry, and permanent damage to your reputation and career. But even if you’ve been falsely accused, the emotional, social, and legal consequences can be devastating.
We provide strategic, judgment-free legal defence for individuals facing sexual assault allegations—because in Canada, you are innocent until proven guilty, and every person deserves a strong legal advocate.
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Legal defence for sexual assault charges in Ontario
If you’ve been accused or charged with sexual assault in Ontario, it’s crucial to understand your legal options. At Affordable Defence, our Ottawa-based criminal defence lawyers provide strategic, evidence-based representation designed to protect your rights and future. Below are some of the most common and effective legal defences available in sexual assault cases, as recognized under Canadian law.
Consent
Consent is one of the most critical elements in a sexual assault case. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a person must voluntarily agree to participate in sexual activity. In many cases, alcohol or drug use complicates the issue of consent. For example:
- A person may give consent while intoxicated but later regret the encounter or be unable to recall it clearly. Legally, consent obtained while intoxicated may still be valid unless the individual was incapacitated to the point of being unable to understand or agree to the act (e.g., unconscious or incoherent).
- In other instances, a person may experience a blackout and later claim they never consented, even if they had the capacity to do so at the time.
Each situation is fact-specific, and your defence lawyer will examine whether the complainant had the legal capacity to consent.
Lack of Evidence
In Ontario, the burden of proof rests entirely on the Crown prosecutor. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This may include:
- Witness testimony
- Forensic or physical evidence
- Statements or admissions
- Digital evidence (e.g., texts, social media, surveillance footage)
If there are significant gaps in the Crown’s case or conflicting testimony, a strong defence can be built around the principle of reasonable doubt. Lack of compelling or corroborated evidence often leads to charges being withdrawn or an acquittal at trial.
Actual Innocence
Demonstrating actual innocence is a direct and powerful defence. This may involve:
- An alibi: Verifying that the accused was somewhere else at the time of the alleged incident.
- DNA or forensic evidence: Showing no link between the accused and the complainant.
- Mistaken identity: Proving the accused was wrongly identified by a witness.
An experienced criminal lawyer will gather all necessary documentation and witness accounts to substantiate your innocence.
False Allegations
Unfortunately, false accusations of sexual assault do occur and can be devastating. Common motivations for fabricating allegations may include:
- Personal revenge
- Jealousy or rejection
- Custody or divorce disputes
- Attempts to gain legal or financial advantage
Your defence may involve exposing inconsistencies in the complainant’s story, prior false claims, or evidence of ulterior motives.
Charter Rights Violations
All individuals charged with a crime in Canada are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A breach of your constitutional rights could result in:
- The exclusion of improperly obtained evidence
- Reduction of charges
- Full dismissal of the case
Examples of rights violations include unlawful search and seizure, denial of legal counsel, or unreasonable delay in bringing the case to trial. At Affordable Defence, our team is well-versed in Charter challenges and will review every step of your case for potential violations.
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