Is peace bond the same as guilty?
A Peace Bond is an order by a criminal court, under the criminal code, that sets out conditions on a defendant to protect a person who has a reasonable fear that the defendant will cause injury or damage to him or his property. At the hearing the judge will hear the plaintiff’s evidence and will determine whether there are reasonable grounds to enter a court order. If the judge feels there are grounds, s/he will ask the defendant to sign the peace bond. If the defendant refuses, a full hearing – much like a trial – will be held. If the judge still believes there are reasonable grounds, s/he will order the defendant to enter the peace bond. Failure to do so at this point will lead to jail time. Agreeing to sign a peace bond is not an admission of guilt, and will not lead to a criminal record, unless the bond is breached or there is a refusal to enter the bond.
