You can never tell in advance what life has in store for you. One of the worst things that can happen to anyone is to get on the wrong side of the law. If you ever find yourself charged with a criminal offence, you should be on the lookout for an expert Toronto criminal lawyer.

Whether you are guilty or innocent, the only way you can ensure that you are properly defended when charged with a criminal offence is to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer. The following are some of the different types of offences that a Toronto criminal lawyer can help you with: continue reading…

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Canada, it is important to retain a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Because a criminal conviction can be very serious and can affect the rest of your life, it is critical to have someone who knows the highly specialized area of criminal law representing your interests.

 Where to Find a Canada Criminal Lawyer

If you want to enlist the services of a criminal lawyer from a private law practice, one of the best resources is the Internet. The online directory Canadian-Lawyers.ca is a good site to search. You just have to use the “Find A Lawyer” search box which can be found on the right-hand side of the page. The site provides search tips and you can expand your search to cities that are in close proximity. When you do a search for criminal lawyers in your area, you will be shown a list of lawyers. You can learn more about each lawyer by clicking on the lawyer’s name or by clicking on the link that says “more info.” The “more info” link is located next to each listing. In the profile section, there should be a link to the lawyer’s website.

Going to individual lawyer websites will allow you to learn more about the lawyer, services offered, and the law firm itself. It is always a good idea to hire a Canadian criminal lawyer with an office in the place where you are facing a criminal charge.

What to look for in a Canada Criminal Lawyer

When researching criminal lawyers, take the time to review their biographies. Check to see if the lawyers have experience in the criminal law area you require. You also should hire a lawyer that has trial experience. In addition, check to see if they belong to any reputable legal associations. You can also do an online search to see if they have any law articles posted online. Check their Frequently Asked Questions web page as this page can provide answers to important questions or concerns you may have.

Another option is to check the online archives of your area newspaper to see if something has been written about the lawyers you are considering. You can also contact your provincial law society to find out if the lawyers you are researching are in good standing. In addition, ask for references as it can be very helpful to talk to others about their experience with a particular lawyer.

Criminal Lawyer Experience

It is a good idea to hire a lawyer with several years experience. It is especially helpful to have a lawyer that has a few years experience in your particular criminal charge. Some lawyers can specialize or note that they have a lot of experience in such areas as assaults, DUI, drug crimes, traffic offenses, sexual assaults, domestic assaults, or white collar crimes. It is also wise to hire a criminal lawyer that has a good working relationship with the Crown Attorney’s office because many criminal cases will result in a plea deal between the defence and prosecutor.

Criminal Lawyer’s Staff

A criminal lawyer will have a staff to help him or her with legal cases. You should make sure you are comfortable with the staff. The staff should be friendly, professional, and courteous. Often you will be dealing directly with the staff as criminal lawyers are very busy.

Cost of Representation

Criminal attorneys in Canada will charge by the hour or by a flat fee that is payable up front. Fees can be competitive so shop around. However, criminal lawyers with a lot of experience and have a solid reputation tend to be more expensive. Although, because criminal charges are very serious, it may be worth spending more and look at it as an investment in your future.

There is a good reason why people charged with a criminal offence almost never enter a guilty plea when they first enter a plea in front of a judge. It is not easy to prosecute a criminal case. It is a Prosecutor’s burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person charged with a crime is guilty. Because criminal convictions come with life-changing and extremely serious consequences, to prevent innocent people from being convicted of a criminal charge, the criminal justice system and its processes contain a strict set of rules and procedures that govern criminal trials in order to protect the rights of those charged with a criminal offence and hopefully assure a ‘just’ outcome.

 When facing a criminal charge, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Until the prosecution proves otherwise, that is, a judge or jury renders a verdict of not guilty, according of the law, you will remain innocent. When you face a criminal charge, you are actually facing an unproven accusation with the burden of proof being the job of the prosecutor. In many cases, there are accusations that have been made that will not be proven. In such cases, charges can be dismissed or the defendant may be found not guilty.

A prosecutor must prove that you are guilty of the charge. In other words, the prosecutor must show you actually committed the crime and you knew you were committing the crime. Charges have been dismissed because a judge found there was no evidence to show a person acted with intent to commit a crime.  For example, if you purchased what you thought was an illegal drug from someone on the street and the police found the item in your pocket and charged you with possession of an illegal substance, but it turns out not to be an illegal drug, the prosecutor would have to prove that you believed you were buying an illegal drug. That is, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt your intent was to buy the illegal drug. In such a case, there may be a number of arguments and evidence put forth to establish reasonable doubt. It can be a complicated task which is why criminal lawyer representation is so important when charged with a crime.

 In criminal cases, sometimes key evidence to prove guilt may be ruled inadmissible and the evidence is not submitted at trial. For evidence to be submitted to the court, it has to have been properly collected. If not collected properly such as the police performing an illegal search and seizure or a confession taken after a person asked for a lawyer, it can be excluded from trial. When this happens, a case could be dismissed, charges reduced, or the defendant may be found not guilty due to lack of evidence. Criminal lawyers are experienced in determining if evidence was collected properly which is why they are so important in the criminal justice system. Without certain key evidence, there may possibly not be a conviction.

 As you can see, if you are charged with a crime, it does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. There are many events that can occur during the course of the criminal process that can be to your benefit. When charged with a crime, never plead guilty without first hiring and talking to a criminal lawyer. Click here for more information.

My client was charged with Possession of a Substance, which was withdrawn after I had fruitful discussions with the crown.

My client was charged with Assault which was withdrawn after I had several meetings with the crown.