*this article was updated on February 20, 2024 and is not legal advice
advice to victims and witnesses (I have extensive experience with victims and witnesses both as a former prosecutor and as defence counsel)
arrests and arrest warrants (including in-depth knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)
assault (including sexual and partner assault)
border-crossing issues (including for vacation travel)
careless driving (especially where there has been an accident)
civil disobedience (recently winning a case when the action was statute-barred by a limitation period)
estate litigation when fraud was alleged
commercial crime (also called by some 'white collar' crime)
contempt of court (including family court, superior court, and tax court)
corporate dissolution (especially where you may be facing penalties for non-compliance in maintaining or using your corporation)
Correctional Service of Canada communications
criminal records (staying abreast of the changes in collection and management of this data)
dangerous driving (including hit and run, whether you have been caught yet or not)
disciplinary sanctions against professionals by their governing bodies, or being denied a professional license, or being subject to an audit (PEO, RECO, CPSO, CRPO, LSO, or others)
domestic violence (very common)
drive with suspended license (could be a provincial charge, or under the Criminal Code of Canada)
drug offences (possession and trafficking)
elder abuse (the police have a whole section devoted to this)
employment applications requiring security clearances (including how to handle sensitive background checks)
extortion (including the use of the internet)
fail to appear in court (there are many defences available)
fail to stop at the scene of an accident/fleeing from police (watch out for civil liability)
firearms offences (including licence revocations)
forcible confinement (commonly laid charge for even the shortest of detentions)
fraud, including when acting as Power of Attorney (a client had the file of the investigation against her closed by the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee, once I became involved)
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requests (could be useful; could be futile)
general orientation to the Canadian Criminal Justice System (this can inform your next steps)
government applications (all sorts including survivor pensions)
harassment (behaviour can easily reach this stage)
immigration issues (if you are on a visitor's visa, work or study permit, or have permanent resident status in Canada, being charged with a criminal offence carries additional serious consequences to your life), including advice regarding the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians
impersonation (including through the internet)
impaired driving (often now linked with dangerous driving so the chances of a conviction are increased)
insurance fraud (careful...)
investigations into and charges against businesses or employees under provincial statutes such as the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (investigators have a lot of power here)
mischief (used as a catch-all offence)
motor vehicle accidents (including advice about your insurance)
obstruct justice (ironically, sometimes really mischief)
pardons/record suspensions (may be available even with numerous charges on your record)
parole board hearings - all participants
peace bonds/restraining orders under section 810 or 810.2 of the Criminal Code (can be good or bad)
perjury (and how not to do it)
police complaints (get advice before you get started, or you may regret it)
private prosecutions (not getting satisfaction from the police?)
proceeds of crime (innocent people can lose their houses)
serious provincial offences including under the Highway Traffic Act
robbery (assault with violence equals robbery)
second opinions (in cases such as those involving The Canadian Medical Protective Association)
tax law (such as failing to comply with a Notice you received from the Canada Revenue Agency, tax evasion charges, audit investigations, Director's Liability, GST/HST, or failing to file your Returns)
theft (including in an employment context)
threats, including criminal harassment (often in a domestic context)
weapons and explosive offences (including when you didn't know it was a weapon)
Call me at 613.203.4874 to discuss your case. Make sure to request my Client Kit for resources to help you focus before a formal consultation.