*this article was updated July 30, 2022, 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 police 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)
- civil litigation including 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)
- 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)
- 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 recently had her investigation file at the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee closed 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)
- 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)
- disciplinary sanctions against professionals by their governing bodies (P.Eng., RECO, CPSO, or others)
- provincial offences including 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 worksheet of seven questions you can consider to help you focus before a formal consultation.