A sexual assault charge in Ottawa can change your life overnight. Jail time, a permanent criminal record, mandatory registration on the sex offender registry, and lifelong stigma make immediate legal representation essential.
Frouhar Law defends every charge level at the Ottawa Courthouse and throughout Eastern Ontario.
When you face sexual assault charges, Ottawa Crown prosecutors treat you seriously from the moment of arrest; your rights, freedom, and reputation are at stake. Retain a criminal defence lawyer Ottawa clients trust before speaking to anyone.
Frouhar Law is the Ottawa sexual assault defence lawyer team that provides sexual assault defence Ottawa accused need at every stage, from the first sexual assault charges through bail hearing to verdict.
Founding partner Mash Frouhar is a former Crown Attorney who knows how Ottawa Crown prosecutors build sexual assault cases, what evidence they prioritize, and where their theories are vulnerable. A sexual assault allegation can make the accused feel presumed guilty before trial; Mash builds defences from the prosecution’s own playbook.
As a bilingual sexual assault lawyer at an Ottawa firm, Frouhar Law defends in both English and French in courtrooms, during disclosure review, and in every client interaction. No client should face a sexual assault charge without fully understanding every step.
Sexual assault charges do not happen on a schedule. Our 24-hour availability means a defence lawyer is reachable before any police questioning begins. The right to retain counsel without delay is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Call before you say anything.
After being charged or invited in for police questioning, say nothing. You have the right to silence under the Criminal Code of Canada. Do not give a statement, do not explain yourself, and do not assume cooperation will help. Call Frouhar Law before your first interaction with the police.
Once charged, the Ottawa process follows: bail hearing at the Ottawa Courthouse (161 Elgin Street, Ontario Court of Justice); Crown disclosure review; preliminary hearing or trial election; plea or trial at the Superior Court of Justice. Every stage advances toward the best possible outcome: acquittal, charges withdrawn, or a charge reduced.
A sexual assault conviction in Ottawa carries consequences among the most severe in the Criminal Code, extending far beyond the sentence.
The Criminal Code establishes three levels, each requiring proof of actus reus and mens rea:
Even Level 1 frequently results in a jail sentence. Probation, a DNA sample requirement, and weapons prohibition apply across all levels.
Every sexual assault conviction requires the accused to register on the National Sex Offender Registry under SOIRA. SOIRA registration requirements include regular police reporting, address disclosure, and ongoing compliance, with periods running from 10 years to life. Violations are separate criminal offences and one of the most life-altering consequences of any conviction in Canada.
A sexual assault conviction creates a permanent criminal record with serious employment consequences across most licensed professions, travel restrictions barring US entry, and irreversible immigration consequences for non-citizens. Sexual assault charges often come alongside domestic assault charges, compounding record and stigma further.
Every accused facing a sexual assault charge in Ottawa deserves a rigorous defence. The Crown must prove every element of the sexual assault charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and our sexual assault defence team challenges each one from day one.
Where the accused took reasonable steps to confirm that the complainant was consenting, the honest but mistaken belief in consent defence may apply. The Crown must prove the absence of consent and disprove this belief beyond a reasonable doubt.
Many sexual assault cases turn on credibility: two witnesses, no physical evidence. Our lawyers scrutinize Crown disclosure for inconsistencies, examine motive to lie and false allegation evidence, assess DNA evidence for gaps in the chain of custody, and identify alibi or mistaken identity defences.
Our case results include not guilty verdicts and sexual assault charges withdrawn through Crown negotiations.
If police gathered evidence in violation of the accused’s rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a Charter motion can exclude it from trial under section 24(2). A successful Charter application can fundamentally change or collapse the Crown’s case.
The mission is to ensure access to justice for all, regardless of income or social status, by providing high-quality, affordable legal representation and advice. The goal is to empower people to protect their rights and resolve legal issues efficiently and effectively.
Fees vary by charge level and whether the matter proceeds to trial. Frouhar Law offers a free consultation before any retainer is signed. See criminal lawyer fees in Ontario for details on hourly and block fee structures. The same applies to anyone seeking a sexual assault lawyer in Eastern Ontario courts that serve outside Ottawa.
No. If accused of sexual assault in Ottawa, you have the right to silence and to retain counsel without delay under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Do not give a statement or answer questions about sexual assault charges Ottawa police are investigating before speaking with a criminal defence lawyer.
Anything you say will be used by Crown prosecutors. Call Frouhar Law first.
Yes. Sexual assault charges in Ottawa can be withdrawn, stayed, or result in an acquittal. Our track record includes charges withdrawn through Crown negotiations, not guilty verdicts at trial, and charges reduced to lesser offences.
