Sexual Offences against persons under the age of 16 or 18, Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching, and Sexual Exploitation
The offences of Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching, and Sexual Exploitation involve touching for a sexual purpose in relation to a person under the age of 16 (sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching), or in relation to a person age 16 or 17 (sexual exploitation). Thus, the age of consent is now 16 years of age, except in the circumstances outlined below with respect to the offence of Sexual Exploitation.
Sexual Interference with a minor and Invitation to Sexual Touching require, respectively, proof of touching for a sexual purpose by the accused, or to the accused (by invitation) with respect to a person under the age of 16. However, the same offences may be committed under the umbrella of the offence of Sexual Exploitation in the following circumstances:
(1) the alleged victim is 16 or 17 years of age (a “young person”);
(2) the accused is in a position of trust or authority toward the young person; or
(3) the young person is in a relationship of dependency or
(4) the young person is in an exploitative relationship with the accused person; and
(5) The accused touches the alleged victim for a sexual purpose, or invites the alleged victim to touch him or her for a sexual purpose.
There are many exceptions to the above that allow for the defence of consent, if the accused is less than two or five years older than the alleged victim.
Don’t Let False Accusations Damage Your Reputation!
Members of the public tend to view persons convicted of sexual offences against minors in a very negative light, leading to permanent damage to an individual’s personal reputation and professional career. The Criminal Law Team has succeeded in obtaining acquittals for many of our clients facing such charges. We have been able to uncover the ulterior motives behind such accusations. Many false accusations have arisen due to bitter relationship issues, divorce, or custody battles, and even from angry or vindictive friends, relatives, or neighbours. In numerous circumstances, minors have been manipulated by an angry parent, adult, or otherwise well-meaning therapist or psychologist to make false claims of being molested. As well, many minors have lived a troubled past that, once uncovered, suggests he or she cannot be trusted to tell the truth. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your case with you, with a view to exposing the real reasons behind the accusations against you.
Your Best Defence
The Criminal Law Team has over 60+ years of experience in defending individuals accused of these very serious allegations. Our only goal is to obtain the best possible result for you. See what our other clients are saying about us. We can help you too!
It is important that you act quickly if you are accused or charged with any of these offences, including sexual interference with a minor. You must not “volunteer” any information to anyone about the accusations against you, especially police officers investigating your case. We will discuss the case with you beforehand, and prepare you for the onslaught of questions from the police, which will be for the sole purpose of using your answers against you in court.
Contact The Criminal Law Team for a free confidential consultation at anytime. We are here to help.
Client Testimonials
I appreciate the quick response. Stephen Hebscher gave me extremely good advice about my situation. I was being extorted by an employee of mine,and he helped me resolve the matter within days. Now I don¹t have this black cloud hanging over my head. I will highly suggest Stephen and The Criminal Law Team to anyone that needs the help of an experienced criminal lawyer! Thanks again!
M.A.
I came to Stephen Hebscher with a somewhat irregular case. Both my spouse and I had been mutually charged with domestic assault, a legal situation that neither of us had wished upon each other. While my spouse's lawyer had been content to seek mutually binding peace bonds, Stephen was able to get in front of the case and negotiate a withdrawal of both of our charges- the best possible outcome on BOTH sides of the table – once we successfully completing the PARs program. I remain entirely pleased with Stephen's competency, professionalism and accessibility, and would not hesitate to recommend him as a criminal defence lawyer. L.A.
Mr. Hebscher: I would like to thank you for your excellent representation of me in relation to the domestic assault charges that you worked so hard to have withdrawn. You have made a critical difference in my future and I am very happy with the outcome.
I also appreciate your hard work, and the extra time and effort you have put in to deal with all the other issues that came along. I thank you for being a phone call away (or email) even when you did not have to be.
I will gladly recommend your services to any of my friends or family should they ever need it. I am very grateful for what you have done.
M.B. Toronto
Dear Bruce Karten
I wanted to send a note to express my family’s gratitude for everything you have done for my brother. With his mental illness, and the serious charges that were laid against him that included arson and endangering life under the Criminal Code of Canada, we were terrified of what was going to happen to him. These charges could well have resulted in him being sentenced to jail for a period of 10 years or more.
I did not know what to expect when I made that first call to you, Bruce, but through the months it took to resolve this, your professionalism, knowledge and patience in explaining what you were planning to do in a way that we were able to understand, made us feel less anxious and more hopeful.
Thanks to you, his charges were substantially reduced and he received a sentence that allowed him to continue to receive the medical help he needs to recover and look to putting his life back together. Any period of jail would have been devastating to his chances of recovering from this devastating situation. We would recommend you, Bruce Karten, without hesitation, to anyone in need of an excellent criminal defense lawyer.
Thank you,
Shirley, T., Whitby, Ontario
Dear Mr. Hebscher: I wish to commend and thank you for your recent handling of my friend’s court case. Your compassionate and thorough scrutiny of the circumstances lead to a withdrawal verdict. Thank you so much. I was most impressed and should I ever be in a similar serious situation you will be the first person I call. Again, you represent all the good side of lawyers.
C.M.
Toronto, ON
Dear Mr. Hebscher: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you ever so much for your great professionalism and humane service to me at a time of profound confusion and in dire need of legal counsel. From my first introduction via telephone, your voice made me feel comfortable. Dealing with you from the beginning to end kept me reassured I was in good hands. The final outcome of my court case, which was “withdrawn” confirmed that I truly had a good lawyer on my side and it was your advocacy that convinced the crown. I would highly recommend you to anyone in need of an excellent criminal lawyer. Once again, I thank you and God bless.
M.J.
Toronto
Excellent news!
I am impressed especially after our meeting on Monday – I was resigned that something bad would befall me, so I am very blessed to have this outcome. I thank you for the hard work that you have put into this case, and the dedication on getting me this fantastic outcome!
I am so glad that we retained you as my lawyer! You have done an outstanding job and allowed me to now rebuild my life. Thank you, Bruce Karten.
Dave B. (Ajax, Ontario)
We were referred to Stephen Hebscher when our child was in need of legal representation. He was charged with sexual assault. As parents, we were quite frightened for our child but Mr. Hebscher was the calm voice of reason. We are very grateful to Mr. Hebscher for the excellent results he got for our child, as the charges were dropped.
J.N. (Toronto, Ontario)
Mr. Hebscher is a very professional lawyer who takes pride in his work and because of this the end result was the judge ruling me not guilty and I got my innocence and life back. My family and I would like to thank you again Stephen Hebscher for doing a wonderful job and also being a very supportive man.
Chris T. (Scarborough, Ontario)
I am happy to report that Bruce’s superior negotiation strategy and ability to present facts effectively helped convince the Crown to reduce his position. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruce for getting my charge withdrawn and keep my criminal record clean.
J.S (Toronto, Ontario)
I looked and found Barrister Stephen Hebscher I introduced myself and my case and after listening to all details he was able to ensure me that my case would go well. All charges against me have be thrown out and my life is back to normal.
Blair H. (North York)
Bruce ...The care and concern you showed us during our dealings certainly helped to reduce the stress we were under. I would recommend you without a second thought. Your winning record is a bonus as well. My husband and myself can't thank you enough for all you've done for our family.
Debi T. (Mississauga, Ontario)
Dear Mr. Hebscher...There are not enough words to express my appreciation for your...giving me your undivided attention at all times, work in my case with your heart and soul, that makes you "ONE OF A KIND" lawyer.
Ahmed A. (Brampton, Ontario)
Mr. Bruce Karten was able to help to extricate me from a very serious criminal case containing severe charges, including weapons –threat to use weapons, death threat, harassment,etc. He succeeded in winning my case. I was discharged; was able to keep my career, and no criminal record. This was a tremendous accomplishment, and I am very appreciative of that.
Nickolai V. (Toronto, Ontario)
Again, from the depth of our hearts we sincerely thank you very much for being my Counsel on this case. We now can say you are the BEST and we will surely recommend you to our friends and anybody here we know who needs the best Lawyer in Ontario. You have done an extremely good job and we are very happy with the outcome this morning.
Roman A. (Markham, Ontario)
Mr. Hebscher was the only lawyer who gave me hope and made me feel like I had a real fighting chance. I am extremely satisfied with the quick results that he delivered, and I am happy to say that he was able to convince the court to drop the charges against me and clear my name.
Tina M. (Toronto, Ontario)
