Criminal Law

Why hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you have been charged with a crime, you need a defence lawyer with the knowledge and experience to win your case, or to successfully negotiate a favourable outcome. Great defence lawyers can do more than just guide you through the process, they can get you an adjournment, an acquittal, or a favorable plea agreement.

Analysis of every charge starts with the reason police contacted you. In Canada, everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure, and the right to not be arbitrarily detained. The police only have authority to detain and arrest individuals under the Criminal Code when the officer believes or suspects, “on reasonable grounds,” that a criminal offence has been, or is about to be, committed. Lack of reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that a crime has been committed is one of the ways cases may be dismissed or adjourned. The analysis of reasonable grounds to arrest and the interaction with your Charter rights is a complex issue and requires a defence lawyer with a highly developed knowledge of Canadian law.

Being charged with a crime often means the possibility of jail time and/or a fine. In addition, many individuals charged with crimes face administrative penalties, such as a driver’s license suspension. The consequences of being convicted of a crime can be devastating. An experienced defence lawyer will not only explain the range of sentences and punishments for you, but they can also advocate for a lesser punishment or a more desirable outcome.