A Criminal Lawyer Who Understands the System

Defending Clients Charged With Domestic Assaults, Drunk Driving, Criminal Code Offences, Drugs & Drug Trafficking, Weapons Offences

As a Toronto-based criminal lawyer, and a certified specialist in criminal law, I restrict my practice to the defence of people under investigation or charged with offences. My work takes me to all regions of Ontario, and I regularly defend clients charged with the following offences:

Domestic Assaults

Domestic assault offences include allegations of physical violence, sexual assault, threats, criminal harassment, and other similar allegations against a family member, spouse, partner or ex spouse or partner. Those charged with domestic assault are often the subject of restrictive bail conditions which may prevent or make it difficult to see their children, work or reside by themselves. You need a criminal defence lawyer who is familiar with the domestic assault teams at various courthouses to deal with these onerous bail conditions.

Your spouse or ex-spouse may want the charges dropped and may have even gone to the police to ask them to drop the charges. In all likelihood this will not have any affect on the charges and may, if the police believe you forced your spouse to recant, result in further charges. Many courthouses offer “diversion” for first time offenders. Before you agree to diversion you should understand whether the offer of diversion requires you to plead guilty or sign a document admitting the allegations.

Impaired Driving (Drunk Driving, Over 80 or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs)

Impaired driving is the term used to refer to offences of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. This offence includes driving while impaired by drugs, driving with a blood/alcohol level over .08%, or refusing a breathalyzer test by authorities. It is one of the most litigated and technical areas of the law. Only someone who is up on the latest legal arguments can give you a proper assessment of your case.

Additionally, new rules apply to those who plead guilty early in the process with the opportunity to obtain a provisional license after 90 days, provided they install an ignition interlock device. However, in addition to the license suspension, a conviction for a drinking and driving offences can have a profound effect on your insurability and the costs of getting insured. Before you plead guilty consult with a criminal defence lawyer who is familiar with all aspects of drunk driving prosecutions.

Criminal Code Offences

The Criminal Code of Canada is the Federal legislation which sets out the majority of criminal offences which are prosecuted throughout the country. These offences include, but are not limited to, driving offences, weapon offences, crimes involving threats or violence, thefts, frauds, forgeries, uttering false documents, false credit cards, gambling and crimes involving sex (sexual assault) or sexual immorality (prostitution).

Provincial Offences Act

The Provincial Offences Act is the Provincial Act which sets out the mechanism for all provincial prosecutions. Most people are familiar with the Highway Traffic Act. Legislation in recent years has made excessive speeding, stunt driving and driving with between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood an offence. These offences carry stiff fines, license suspensions and ramifications for your insurance. Other provincial offences involve Environmental Protection Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Corporations Tax Act, Liquor License Act, and other Provincial Acts with offences provisions. Prior to agreeing to plead to any one of these offences you should consult with a criminal defence lawyer who may be able to negotiate a lower fine, or advise you of a defence which you may not have known about.

Drugs and Drug Trafficking

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is the Federal legislation which sets out the offences and penalties for possession and trafficking in illegal drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamines, marijuana. Trafficking in these and other drugs, even in small amounts, is a serious criminal offence that can lead to a jail terms or the seizure of your personal property.