Clear fees. Straight answers.

No. Being charged is not the same as being convicted. A charge is an allegation: you are presumed innocent, and you only get a criminal record if you are convicted and receive a registerable sentence.

Your first court appearance is not a trial. If you retain a lawyer, you can usually sign a designation of counsel so we can appear for you, request disclosure, and adjourn the matter so work on your case can begin.

In many cases a lawyer can appear on your behalf, but it depends on your release conditions. Speak with a lawyer before your court date.

You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to remain silent. Get legal advice before making any statement.

Disclosure is the Crown’s evidence — statements, police notes, videos, audio and warrants. Your lawyer requests it, reviews it, and follows up on anything missing. That can happen more than once before the defence has substantially all of the disclosure.

A Crown pre-trial is a meeting between your lawyer and the Crown to discuss disclosure, conditions, early resolution and trial. Most cases need several discussions, and most of our cases resolve through this process.

Often, yes. We can ask the Crown to vary conditions, including no-contact terms in domestic cases. If the Crown does not consent, you can apply to the Superior Court for a bail review.

It depends on the charge. The Charter right to a trial within a reasonable time is 18 months in provincial court and 30 months in superior court (Supreme Court of Canada). Most cases do not go to trial, but they still take several months and rarely resolve at the first or second appearance.

Most criminal matters in Toronto are heard at the Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M7A 0B9. We also attend courthouses across Southern and Central Ontario, in person and by Zoom.

Nothing. It is a free, confidential 30-minute review of your charge and options.

Our standard initial retainer is $2,500 plus HST, deposited into our trust account and used for future legal services. Total fees typically cost more than the initial retainer; speak with one of our lawyers for an estimate for your matter.

A trust account is where we hold client money. It is not our money: we only bill and transfer funds after we provide legal services. We email a detailed invoice each month showing your trust balance, and any money left when the matter ends is returned to you.

We offer flexible payment options, including payment plans, credit card, e-Transfer, block-fee arrangements and matter caps/maximums.