View source for Aggravated Assault (Offence)

[[fr:Voies de fait graves (infraction)]]
{{Currency2|March|2021}}
{{HeaderOffences}}
{{OffenceBox 
|OffenceTitle=Aggravated Assault 
|OffencePage=Aggravated Assault 
|Section=268
|Act={{OBCCC}} 
|CrownElection={{OBIndictableElection}}
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll-14Above}} 
|Bail={{OBBailJudge}} 
|IndictableDisp= {{OBDisp14orLife}}
|IndictableMin= {{OBMinNone}} 
|IndictableMax= {{OBTime|14 years}} }}

==Overview==
{{OverviewVIII|aggravated assault}}

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-14Years}} }}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} <br>If related to IPV ''and''<br>with previous conviction for IPV<br>(s. 718.3(8))| {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-Life}} }}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsIndictElection-14Above|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}

{{Section109Notice}}

; Release
{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} || {{ReleaseProfile-Indictable}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Indictable|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

; Publication Bans
{{GeneralPubBan}}

; Offence Designations

{{DesignationHeader}}
|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} || {{OKMark}} <!--wire--> || {{OKMark}} (''Primary'')<!--DO-->||{{OKMark-752(b)}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark}}
{{DesignationEnd}}

{{WiretapDesignation|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

{{DOPrimaryDesignation|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}

{{SPIODesignation|A|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}
{{reflist|2}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation3|
; Aggravated assault
268 (1) Every one commits an aggravated assault who wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant.
<br>
; Punishment
(2) Every one who commits an aggravated assault is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
<br>
; Excision
(3) For greater certainty, in this section, '''"wounds"''' or '''"maims"''' includes to excise, infibulate or mutilate, in whole or in part, the labia majora, labia minora or clitoris of a person, except where
:(a) a surgical procedure is performed, by a person duly qualified by provincial law to practise medicine, for the benefit of the physical health of the person or for the purpose of that person having normal reproductive functions or normal sexual appearance or function; or
:(b) the person is at least eighteen years of age and there is no resulting bodily harm.<br>

; Consent
(4) For the purposes of this section and section 265 {{AnnSec2|265}}, no consent to the excision, infibulation or mutilation, in whole or in part, of the labia majora, labia minora or clitoris of a person is valid, except in the cases described in paragraphs (3)(a) {{AnnSec2|268(3)(a)}} and (b) {{AnnSec2|268(3)(b)}}.
<br>

R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 268;
{{LegHistory90s|1997, c. 16}}, s. 5.
{{Annotations}}
|{{CCCSec2|268}}
|{{NoteUp|268|1|2|3|4}}
|{{terms-
|"complainant" (s. 2)
|"maims" (s. 268(3))
|"wounds" (s. 268(3))
}}
}}

===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
|268
| aggravated assault 
|"... did [wound, maim, disfigure or endanger the life of] [name or initialism of victim] thereby committing an aggravated assault {{contrary|268}}."
{{DraftEnd}}

==Proof of the Offence==

{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}

{{Proving|aggravated assault|268}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} that an assault occurred (e.g. intentional application of force with no consent)
# {{box}} injuries sustained
# the injuries amounted to the victim being:
## {{box}} wounded,
## {{box}} maimed,
## {{box}} disfigured, or
## {{box}} had life endangered
# {{box}} a reasonable person would expect that bodily harm could result
# {{box}} that there was no provocation

{{ElementEnd}}

{{reflist|2}}
<!--[[File:Decision Tree (268).png|thumb|Jury decision tree <ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Adem|hvl3j|2018 ABCA 333 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}} (3:0)</ref>]]-->
{{DecisionTrees}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==
The elements of aggravated assault are the same as those of common assault (s. 266) with the addition of:<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|McConnell|g722v|2014 BCSC 973 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Romilly J}}{{atL|g722v|8}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Godin|1frs1|1994 CanLII 97 (SCC)|[1994] 2 SCR 484, 89 CCC (3d) 574}}{{perSCC|Cory J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Brodie|1ddb9|1995 CanLII 2601 (BC CA)|60 BCAC 153}}{{perBCCA|Taylor JA}}<br>
</ref>
# the assault wounded, maimed or endangered life; 
# the accused's conduct caused the wounding, maiming or endangerment; and 
# a reasonable person would have realized the accused’s conduct would subject the victim to the risk of bodily harm

{{reflist|2}}
===Actus Reus===
The Crown does not need to prove that the accused had an intent to wound, maim or disfigure the complainant. However, he must prove that the accused had "objective foresight of bodily harm."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Godin|1frs1|1994 CanLII 97 (SCC)|[1994] 2 SCR 484, 89 CCC (3d) 574}}{{perSCC|Cory J}}{{atp|485}}</ref>
This same standard applies to assault causing bodily harm.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Dewey|5sd3|1999 ABCA 5 (CanLII)|132 CCC (3d) 348}}{{perABCA|McClung JA}}{{atL|5sd3|9}}<br>
</ref>
Injury in the range of "minor bodily harm" will be insufficient to prove wounding, maiming or disfigurement.<reF>
{{CanLIIRP|Innes and Brotchie|htxht|1972 CanLII 1255 (BC CA)|7 CCC (2d) 544}}{{perBCCA|McFarlane JA}}<bR>
{{CanLIIRx|Papalia|fq69m|2012 BCSC 245 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Bruce J}}
</ref>

; "wound, maim or disfigure"
"Wound" refers to any break in the skin<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Littletent|2dgqb|1985 ABCA 22 (CanLII)|AJ No 256}}{{perABCA|Moir JA}}</ref> 
or cutting of the skin or tissue which causes bleeding.<ref>
{{ibid1|Littletent}}{{atL|2dgqb|2}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Hilderman|1jxhm|2005 ABQB 106 (CanLII)|369 AR 24}}{{perABQB|Martin J}}{{atsL|1jxhm|9|}}, {{atsL-np|1jxhm|19|}}<br>
</ref>
It generally refers to permanent damage.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Reid|gk9z6|2013 ABPC 228 (CanLII)}}{{perABPC|Semenuk J}}{{atL|gk9z6|24}}<br>
</ref>

"Maiming" refers to "a hurt to the body that causes a person to be less able to fight" or otherwise function.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Schultz|gd6g1|1962 CanLII 553 (AB CA)|[1962] 133 CCC 174 (Alta. S.C. App. Div.)}}{{perABCA-H|Smith CJ}}<br>
{{supra1|Papalia}} ("To “maim” means to inflict an injury that deprives a person of the use of a limb or renders the victim less able to defend themselves")
</ref>
This includes breaking of bones.

"Disfigure" refers to injuries that amount to "more than a temporary marring of the figure or appearance."<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Innes and Brotchie|htxht|1972 CanLII 1255 (BC CA)|7 CCC (2d) 544 (BCCA)}}{{perBCCA|McFarlane JA}}</ref>

Examples of wound, maiming or disfigurement include:
* a rupture with retinal herniation resulting in permanent blindness in one eye<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Theriault|jh1pm|2021 ONCA 517 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA|Tulloch JA}}{{atL|jh1pm|78}}
</ref>
* a broken jaw<Ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Broderick|gmx20|2016 ONCJ 23 (CanLII)}}{{perONCJ|Konyer J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRx|Nobbs|jc1xw|2020 ONSC 7341 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|Board J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRx|Lamontagne|j1q8z|2019 BCSC 1251 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Watchuk J}}<Br> 
{{CanLIIRx|Bird|hwvhv|2018 SKPC 75 (CanLII)}}{{perSKPC|Baniak J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRx|Safdar|jgbc7|2018 ONSC 7066 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|Goodman J}}<Br>
</ref>
* broken nose and bruising<Ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Crompton|jccgv|2020 ONSC 6533 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|P Smith J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Barlow|j9xp6|2020 ONCJ 433 (CanLII)}}{{perONCJ|De Filippis J}}
{{CanLIIRx|Mouchet|hz9jh|2019 QCCQ 1531 (CanLII)}} - permanent dislocation of nose can be disfiguring, but less likely wounding
</ref>

Certain injuries were excluded from the definitions:
* broken nose that healed without medcial intervention<ref>
{{supra1|Papalia}}
</ref>

; Endangerment
The "endangerment" of life refers to the consequence of the injuries received (a product of wounds, maiming or disfigurement) and not simply the risk created by accused assaultive behaviour. No injuries are not necessary.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|De Freitas|1qwld|1999 CanLII 14071 (MB CA)|132 CCC (3d) 333}}{{perMBCA|Twaddle JA}} at 11 and 12</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Mens Rea===
The ''mens rea'' for this offence is the same ''mens rea'' for [[Common Assault (Offence)|common assault]] with the addition of an objective foresight of the risk of bodily harm.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Williams|50dc|2003 SCC 41 (CanLII)|[2003] 2 SCR 134}}{{perSCC-H|Binnie J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Godin|1frs1|1994 CanLII 97 (SCC)|[1994] 2 SCR 484}}{{perSCC|Cory J}} ("objective foresight of bodily harm")<br>
</ref>

There is no need for an intent "to maim, wound or disfigure the complainant". The offence criminalizes the assault not the desire to bring about the consequence.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Nanemahoo|fltq0|2011 ABCA 182 (CanLII)|281 CCC (3d) 206}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atL|fltq0|22}}<br>
{{supra1|Godin}}{{perSCC|Cory J}} ("It is not necessary that there be an intent to wound or maim or disfigure")<br>
</ref> 

An objective foresight standard means the Court must inquire whether "any reasonable person would inevitably realize" that the person who be subject to a "risk of, at least, some harm."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|DeSousa|1fsb0|1992 CanLII 80 (SCC)|[1992] 2 SCR 944}}{{perSCC-H|Sopinka J}}
</ref>

A party to an offence under s. 21(1)(b), it is not necessary that the party have a greater ''mens rea'' than the principal. It also not necessary to establish an objective foresight of the specific wounds being caused by the assault.<ref>
{{supra1|Nanemahoo}}{{atL|fltq0|23}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Discharging a Firearm===
Where the aggravated assault arises from the discharge of a firearm, the crown must prove:<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Foti|5htb|2002 MBCA 122 (CanLII)|169 CCC (3d) 57}}{{perMBCA|Steel JA}}</ref>
# that the accused intentionally applied force or intentionally threatened to apply while having the ability to carry it out;
# that a reasonable person in the accused's position would have been able to foresee that pointing or firing the firearm would subject the victim to a risk of bodily harm; and 
# that actual wounding, maiming, or disfigurement resulted.

{{Reflist|2}}

===Kienapple===
A person convicted of aggravated assault cannot be convicted of a lesser form of assault for the same conduct.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Basilio|1brnb|2003 CanLII 15531 (ON CA)|175 CCC (3d) 440}}{{perONCA|Gillese JA}}
</ref>

Common assault and assault causing bodily harm are lesser included offences.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|SolukSoluk|4z86|2001 BCCA 519 (CanLII)|157 CCC (3d) 473}}{{perBCCA|Rowles JA}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Common Defences==
* [[Self-Defence and Defence of Another |Self-Defence]]
* [[Self-Defence and Defence of Another |Defence of Another]]
* [[Defences|Defence of Property]]
* [[Defences|Reflex]]

The statutory defence of [[Duress|duress]] is excluded by s. 17 from applying to offences of aggravated assault.

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt
{{VictimHeader}} <!-- Sections / Notice of Agree / Notice of Restitution / Notice of VIS -->
|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} || {{OKMark-SPIO}} ||  || {{OKMark}}
|-
{{VictimEnd}}
{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}
:''For details on general principles and factors of assault-based offences, see [[Violent and Assaultive Offences (Sentencing)]]''

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} | {{NA}} | {{Max14Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} <br>If related to IPV ''and''<br>with previous conviction for IPV<br>(s. 718.3(8))| {{NA}} | {{MaxLife}} }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyIndictment|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}|'''{{Max14Years}}'''}} Where the offender is convicted for a second-time for intimate partner violence (IPV), then the maximum penalty is '''life'''.

; Minimum Penalties
{{NoMinimumPenalties}}

; Available Dispositions
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} || {{NA}} || {{SProfileNoDischargeOrCSO}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{NoDischargeAvailable|s. 268}}
{{NoCSOAvailable|C|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

; Consecutive Sentences
{{NoConsecutive}}

=== Principles ===
Aggravated assault is the most serious of violent crimes short of homicide and so must include incarceration.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Marsman|1s056|2007 NSCA 65 (CanLII)|220 CCC (3d) 254}}{{perNSCA|MacDonald CJ}} (3:0)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Keshane|1jv3v|2005 SKCA 18 (CanLII)|[2005] S.J. No 97}}{{perSKCA|Cameron JA}} (3:0)
</ref> 
General deterrence is the primary factor.<ref> 
{{CanLIIR-N|Perlin|, [1977]  NSJ No 548}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Dzikowski|1mssr|1990 CanLII 2539 (NS CA)|[1990] NSJ No 353}}{{perNSCA|Matthews JA}} (3:0)<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|King|1f0zg|1999 NSCA 103 (CanLII)|[1999] NSJ No 331}}{{TheCourtNSCA}} (3:0)</ref>

The types of offences include a range with the high end including an unprovoked attack with a weapon. While a consensual fight that escalates tends to be on the lower end.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Craig|1lsh2|2005 BCCA 484 (CanLII)|201 CCC (3d) 495}}{{perBCCA|Kirkpatrick JA}} (3:0){{atL|1lsh2|10}}</ref>

Those instances of offences that are unprovoked and premeditated, the emphasis should be on denunciation, which should exclude a community-based sentence.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Derkson|26s7j|2009 YKSC 66 (CanLII)}}{{perYKSC|Richard J}}
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

=== Ranges ===
{{seealsoRanges|Aggravated Assault}}
The range of appropriate sentence can be very broad, ranging from suspended sentence to mid-range penitentiary sentences.<ref>
see comments in {{CanLIIR-N|Comeau| [1999] OJ No 1540}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Peters|27jkz|2010 ONCA 30 (CanLII)|250 CCC (3d) 277}}{{perONCA|Blair JA}} (3:0) -- court suggesting suspended sentence being available<br>
</ref>

; British Columbia
It has been stated that the "range of sentence for similar offences [namely aggravated assault] was described as being between 16 months and six years”<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Craig|1lsh2|2005 BCCA 484 (CanLII)|201 CCC (3d) 495}}{{perBCCA|Kirkpatrick JA}} (3:0)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Johnson|1f0vs|1998 CanLII 4838 (BC CA)|131 CCC (3d) 274}}{{perBCCA|Prowse JA}} (3:0)<br>
</ref> 
Further it has been stated as "18 months to six years."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Willier|1lb8k|2005 BCCA 404 (CanLII)|66 WCB (2d) 499}}{{perBCCA|Smith JA}} (3:0)</ref> and "two years less a day to six years."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Biln|546t|1999 BCCA 369 (CanLII)|43 WCB (2d) 37}}{{perBCCA|McEachern JA}} (3:0)</ref>

; Alberta
It is only "in the rarest and most exceptional case will a suspended sentence be a demonstrably fit sentence for aggravated assault."<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Hamlyn|gr5kg|2016 ABCA 127 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}} (3:0){{atL|gr5kg|21}}<br>
</ref>

; Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland, it is suggested that aggravated assault where a knife is involved is in the range of 3 to 6 years.
<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Wheeler|fnp98|2011 CanLII 69366 (NL PC)|[2011] NJ No 391}}{{perNLPC|Gorman J}}{{atL|fnp98|72}}</ref>

; Ontario
In Ontario, the ranges of sentence have been separated into three groups.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Tourville|fknxs|2011 ONSC 1677 (CanLII)|93 WCB (2d) 296}}{{perONSC|Code J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Brethour|fw7xj|2013 ONSC 1167 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|Beaudoin J}}{{atsL|fw7xj|17| to 19}}</ref>
There are those in the low range which are considered "exceptional" due to their unusual degree of mitigation which will reduce the amount of jail required.  The second group consists of the middle range of 18 months to 2 years less a day. These involve first time offenders and arise from quasi-consensual fights that resort to excessive force. The third group is the high range which is generally between 4 to 6 years. These involve recidivists involved in unprovoked or premeditated violence with no suggestion of consent or self-defence.<ref>
{{ibid1|Brethour}}{{atsL|fw7xj|17| to 19}}</ref>

The upper range of 6 years are reserved for those offenders with a prior criminal record who commits an "unprovoked" and "premeditated" assaults.<ref>
{{supra1|Tourville}}{{atL|fknxs|30}}<br>
</ref>

"Baby shaking" cases of aggravated assault will usually be between 3 and 5 years.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Habib|1fb9q|2000 CanLII 16824 (ON CA)|147 C.C.C. (3d) 555}}{{perONCA-H|Findlayson JA}}
</ref>

; Territories
The normal range is between 6 months and 6 years.<Ref>
{{CanLIIR|Porter|h2zs6|2017 YKTC 13 (CanLII)}} per Lilles J<br>
{{CanLIIRP|DBM|5gmd|2002 YKTC 81 (CanLII)|[2002] YJ No 96}} per Lilles J<Br>
{{CanLIIR|Dick|1vxsh|2008 YKTC 6 (CanLII)}}, per Faulkner J - suggests range between 16 months and 6 years.
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
{{AOrderHeader}}
| [[DNA Orders]]  ||s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}||
** {{PrimDNA1|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}
|-
| [[Weapons Prohibition Orders]]  ||s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}||
* {{Section109|A|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}
* {{Section109|D|s. 268 [if weapon etc. involved]}}
|-
| [[Delayed Parole Eligibility|Delayed Parole Order]]||s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}||
* {{ParoleDelayEligible|1|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}}}}

{{AOrderEnd}}
; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons==
{{RecordSuspension|s. 268 {{DescrSec|268}} }}

==History==

Prior to the 1997 amendments to s. 268, it read:
{{quotation1|
; Aggravated assault
268 (1) Every one commits an aggravated assault who wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant.
<br>
; Punishment
(2) Every one who commits an aggravated assault is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
<br>
R.S., 1985, c. C-46
|
}}

The first instance of aggravated assault as a criminal offence was found in An Act to amend the Criminal Code, SC 1980-81-82-83, c. 125, s. 19. It was proclaimed into force on January 4, 1983 and created s. 245.2, which stated:
{{quotation1|
; Aggravated assault
245.2 (1) Every one commits an aggravated assault who wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant.
; Punishment
(2) Every one who commits an aggravated assault is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.
|
}}

Prior to 1983, the only offence relating to aggravated assault was the offene of "wounding":"

{{quotation1|
Every one who, with intent
:(a) to wound, maim or disfigure any person,
:(b) to endanger the life of any person, or 
:(c) to prevent the arrest or detention of any person,
discharges a firearm, air gun or air pistol at or causes bodily harm in any way to any person, whether or not that person is the one mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.  
|
}}

==See Also==
; References
* [[Pre-Trial and Trial Motions Checklist]]

{{OffencesNavBar/Violence}}