Including Criminal Code, Highway Traffic, Income Tax, and Regulatory Offences

Representation by Ottawa lawyer Lisa Christian - Sample Cases

*this article was updated on July 26, 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, or the restrictions against purchasing of residential land by non-Canadians)

  • 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. Visit my main website by clicking here.