One of the first questions I often get asked after being charged with a criminal offence is, “Can the victim just drop the charges?” It’s a question I hear regularly from new clients. Sometimes it comes from the accused. Sometimes it comes from a family member. In domestic assault cases, it often comes from couples who have reconciled and want to move forward with their lives. The answer usually catches people off guard. In Ontario, the complainant does not decide whether criminal charges continue. Once police lay a charge, that decision belongs to the Crown Attorney.

When people talk about sexual assault statistics in Ontario, they often rely on police-reported crime data. While those numbers are important, they only tell part of the story. The deeper reality is that sexual assault remains one of the most underreported violent crimes in Canada. As a result, the official figures almost certainly underestimate the true scale of the problem across Ontario.

In a recent interview with OMNI News, criminal defence lawyer Rupin Bal shared his legal insight on proposed federal legislation that would expand investigative powers for police and national security agencies. The proposed Keeping Canadians Safe Act aims to give law enforcement and intelligence services additional tools to speed up investigations and address emerging security concerns. During the interview, Bal discusses the potential impact these changes could have on criminal investigations and the importance of balancing public safety with the protection of individual rights under Canadian law. His commentary highlights how legislative changes can affect both law enforcement practices and the legal strategies used to defend individuals facing criminal allegations.