Domestic Violence Lawyers

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For free, confidential support, you can contact SOS violence conjugale.

Domestic violence cases touch two groups of people: those accused of assaulting a spouse or partner, and those who have lived through violence and need protection. A domestic violence lawyer can explain the process, your rights and your options, whichever side of the file you are on. On this page you can compare lawyers who handle these cases, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

What a domestic violence lawyer does

In Quebec, the term used is conjugal violence. It covers violence between spouses, partners and ex-partners, whether they live together or not. It can be physical, but also psychological, verbal, sexual or financial. Most criminal cases are handled by lawyers who practise criminal law regularly; you can also browse all criminal lawyers.

• For a person accused: advice after the arrest, the release conditions, the court appearances, the evidence and the possible outcomes.
• For a victim: explaining how a complaint moves forward, what protection is available and how the criminal case connects with family matters.
• For both: making sense of the overlap between the criminal case, custody of the children and the family home.

If you are accused of domestic assault

A domestic assault charge usually starts with a police call and an arrest. What happens next moves quickly, and the first decisions matter.

• Arrest and release: the police may release you with an undertaking and conditions, or hold you for a bail hearing before a judge.
• No-contact conditions: release almost always comes with conditions, such as not contacting the complainant, directly or through others, and staying away from the family home. They apply even if the complainant reaches out to you. Breaking them is a separate criminal offence.
• The decision to charge: in Quebec, a prosecutor from the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) reviews the police file and decides whether to lay charges.
• The court: cases are generally heard by the Court of Québec, Criminal and Penal Division, at the courthouse serving the district where the events allegedly happened.

Stay calm, respect every condition, and avoid discussing the events with anyone other than your lawyer. If a condition keeps you from your home or your children, a lawyer can explain whether it can be changed and how.

Possible outcomes

Every file is different, and no lawyer can promise a result. In general terms, a case can end in several ways:

• Charges not laid, or later withdrawn by the prosecutor.
• A peace bond, which is a court order to keep the peace and respect certain conditions for a set period. It is not a conviction.
• A guilty plea, sometimes after negotiation with the prosecutor, followed by a sentence decided by the judge.
• A trial, which ends in an acquittal or a conviction.

The right path depends on the evidence, your history and your personal situation. A lawyer reviews the disclosure, meaning the evidence the prosecution must share, before recommending an approach.

If you are a victim of conjugal violence

You do not have to handle this alone, and you do not need a lawyer to call for help. Several options can protect you, and they can be combined.

• Emergency help: call 911 if you are in danger. SOS violence conjugale offers free, confidential listening, information and referrals to shelters.
• Support through the court process: the CAVAC (crime victims assistance centres) offer free, confidential help to victims and witnesses, including information about the case and support at court.
• Criminal protection: if charges are laid, the accused's release conditions usually forbid contact with you. You can tell the police or the prosecutor if they are not respected.
• Civil protection: a lawyer can explain other court orders that can forbid contact, and the rules that allow a tenant to end a lease when their safety is threatened.

The Government of Québec has a page on conjugal violence with resources for victims and those around them.

Custody and the family court

Conjugal violence often overlaps with a separation. Custody, parenting time, support and the family home are decided in family proceedings, usually before the Superior Court, separately from the criminal case. Courts must consider family violence when deciding what is in the best interests of the children. A no-contact condition in the criminal case can also affect how exchanges of the children take place, so the two files need to fit together. For the family side, you can compare family lawyers.

When to call a lawyer

• You were arrested, charged or given release conditions.
• Your conditions keep you away from your home or your children.
• You are a victim and want to understand your options before or after a complaint.
• A separation, custody question or family home issue is linked to the situation.

Preparing for your consultation

• Your release papers, conditions, summons or any court document.
• Your next court date and the courthouse named on your papers.
• Messages, photos, medical notes or other documents, kept safely.
• Any family court documents about custody or support.
• Your questions: your options, the next steps and how the lawyer charges.

Compare and book on JustiConnect

Browse the lawyers listed below, filter by location, rates and availability, and book a consultation directly. You can also search all domestic violence lawyers or see the domestic violence lawyers in Laval.

Frequently asked questions

Can domestic violence charges be dropped in Canada?

The complainant cannot simply withdraw the charges. Once a file is opened, the decision to continue or stop belongs to the prosecutor, who looks at the evidence and the public interest. The complainant's wishes are heard, but they do not decide the case alone.

What evidence is used in domestic violence cases?

Common evidence includes the complainant's statement, the 911 call, police observations, photos, medical records, messages and witnesses. A lawyer reviews all of it in the disclosure to see how strong the case really is.

How can I prove psychological abuse?

Psychological violence leaves fewer visible marks, so records matter: messages, emails, voicemails, a dated journal of events, and people you confided in. Keep copies somewhere safe that the other person cannot access, and ask a lawyer or a support worker how they may be used.

What is the best defence to a domestic assault charge?

There is no single best defence. It depends on the facts, the evidence and how the investigation was done. A lawyer examines the disclosure first, then explains which options are realistic in your case.

Can I contact my partner if they want to talk to me?

Not if your conditions forbid it. The conditions bind you even if the other person agrees or makes the first move. Only the court can change them, and a lawyer can explain how to ask.