What Is a Peace Bond in Ontario? A Complete Guide
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A peace bond is a court order under section 810 of the Criminal Code of Canada that requires a person to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, usually for up to 12 months. It is not a conviction, doesn’t create a criminal record, and is often used to resolve criminal charges without a guilty plea.
The Legal Definition of a Peace Bond
Section 810 of the Criminal Code allows a person to apply to the court for a peace bond against someone they reasonably fear will cause them personal injury, damage their property, or commit certain other offences against them. Importantly, an application doesn’t require that criminal proceedings already be underway — anyone with a reasonable basis for their fear can apply. In practice, though, most peace bonds in Ontario arise as part of a negotiated resolution to an existing criminal charge: the Crown agrees to withdraw the charge, and the accused agrees to enter into the bond with specific conditions.
There are several related provisions beyond the general section 810 bond, covering more specific concerns such as intimate partner violence, criminal organization offences, and terrorism-related fears, each with its own maximum duration and conditions. For most Ontario criminal matters, though, the general section 810 peace bond is what’s relevant.
How the Peace Bond Process Works
- An application (called an “information”) is sworn before a justice of the peace, either by a complainant directly or, more commonly, negotiated as part of resolving a pending criminal charge.
- The person named in the application is served with notice and both sides attend a hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice.
- If the parties agree, the court can approve a peace bond with conditions without any finding of guilt — no admission, no plea, and no conviction.
- The bond typically lasts up to 12 months, and can include conditions such as no contact with a specific person, staying away from a location, or surrendering weapons.
- If either side later believes the bond should change, an application to vary or revoke it can be brought under section 810(4).
Peace Bond vs. Criminal Record
This is the distinction that matters most to people considering this option. A peace bond is not a conviction, so it does not appear on a standard CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) criminal record check, and generally won’t affect most employment applications, professional licensing, or volunteer screening. It’s worth noting, however, that a peace bond may still show up on a more detailed police information check in some circumstances, which is different from a standard record check — worth discussing with your lawyer if this distinction matters for your situation (for example, certain professional licensing or cross-border travel questions).
When Is a Peace Bond a Realistic Option?
Peace bonds tend to come up most often in cases involving minor assaults, harassment complaints, neighbour or family disputes, and some property-related charges where the Crown has concerns about future conduct rather than a strong interest in pursuing a conviction. Whether it’s realistic for your specific matter depends on the charge, the strength of the Crown’s evidence, and your record — it isn’t automatically available for every offence type.
For example, a resolution involving a peace bond sometimes arises in connection with property offences such as those addressed in our guide to theft charges in Ontario, or as an alternative to a sentence that would otherwise include a period of probation. If your matter involves a bail hearing before a peace bond becomes relevant, our Bail Lawyer Toronto team can help you understand that process as well.
What to Do Next
If the Crown or a complainant has raised the possibility of a peace bond in your matter, or you’re considering applying for one yourself, it’s worth getting legal advice before agreeing to any conditions or attending a hearing. Conditions in a peace bond are legally binding, and breaching them can lead to new criminal charges even though the bond itself isn’t a conviction.
N Sandhu Law offers a free consultation to review your specific situation and explain whether a peace bond, or another resolution, is realistic for your case.
As a trusted criminal lawyer toronto and the GTA, our team regularly negotiates peace bond resolutions on behalf of clients facing a wide range of criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a peace bond count as a criminal record?
No. A peace bond is not a conviction and does not appear on a standard CPIC criminal record check.
How long does a peace bond last in Ontario?
A standard section 810 peace bond lasts up to 12 months, though certain specialized peace bonds (involving intimate partner violence or organized crime, for example) can last longer.
Can anyone apply for a peace bond, or does the Crown have to be involved?
Technically, any person with a reasonable fear of harm can apply directly. In practice, most peace bonds are negotiated as part of resolving an existing criminal charge with the Crown.
What happens if I breach a peace bond?
Breaching the conditions of a peace bond can result in new criminal charges, even though the original bond itself was not a conviction.