The Oshawa courthouse assault investigation has ended without criminal charges against Durham Regional Police officers, prompting disappointment from the lawyer who alleged she was injured during her arrest.
Defence lawyer Sudine Riley was arrested at the Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa on January 23, 2026.
Riley later alleged that uniformed officers slammed her head against a desk, placed their knees on her back and neck, handcuffed her and took her to the courthouse’s basement cells.
Her legal counsel said Riley’s headscarf was removed during the encounter and that she was left bleeding and swollen.
Those allegations have not been tested or proven in court.
York Police Find No Grounds for Charges
Durham Regional Police referred the criminal allegations to York Regional Police to avoid having the service investigate its own members.
Following a months-long investigation, York police concluded there were no reasonable grounds in the available evidence to support criminal charges against any of the officers involved.
The investigative report has not been released publicly, and York police said they could not provide additional information because the matter has been referred to another oversight body.
The conclusion relates only to whether the evidence supported criminal charges. It does not determine whether the officers committed professional misconduct.
Riley’s Lawyer Expresses Disappointment
Riley’s legal counsel, Atrisha Lewis, said her client was disappointed that criminal charges would not be laid.
Lewis said no lawyer should experience the treatment Riley alleges occurred while she was working inside a courthouse.
She added that Black lawyers should be able to perform their professional duties freely and safely without being subjected to violence or discriminatory treatment.
“The events of Jan. 23, 2026 have had a significant and lasting impact on Ms. Riley,” Lewis said in a statement.
Lewis said Riley remains committed to pursuing every available avenue to seek accountability.
Riley has also requested video recordings of the incident but, according to her counsel, has not received or reviewed the footage.
Misconduct Review Remains Underway
The matter has now been referred to Ontario’s Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.
LECA is an independent civilian oversight body that receives, manages and investigates public complaints concerning police conduct.
The agency’s review will consider whether any officer misconduct occurred under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act and its related police code of conduct.
A finding that there are insufficient grounds for criminal charges does not prevent an oversight agency from examining whether an officer violated professional standards.
The timeline and scope of LECA’s investigation have not been publicly disclosed.
Incident Drew Concern From Legal Organizations
Riley’s allegations generated concern from legal organizations, including the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
The association previously called for an independent investigation and said lawyers must be able to work safely inside Ontario courthouses.
Following York police’s decision, the association said it would continue monitoring the matter and expressed interest in greater transparency regarding why charges were not laid.
Durham police previously said the officers connected to the incident had been reassigned to duties that did not include courthouse security while the investigations continued.
The Oshawa courthouse assault investigation will therefore remain unresolved from a professional-conduct perspective until LECA completes its assessment.
