Find Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence
Practice Area Overview
Prosecutions may be summary proceedings, meaning that the process will take place in the Provincial Court and for which the majority of offences have a maximum of six months incarceration upon conviction or indictable offences for which the maximum can be as high as a life sentence. The decision as to whether an offence is proceeded upon one way or the other is dictated by statute or at the election of the crown prosecutor. Indictable offences may be tried in provincial court, or in Queen's Bench (Superior Court) before a judge alone or before a judge and jury. This choice is made by the person charged in conjunction with counsel.
Many offences now have minimum sentences. This means that a judge is, upon a guilty plea or conviction, required by law to send a person to jail. Other offences may have a broad scope of possible sentences varying from probation to jail, conditional sentences to conditional discharges. Convictions may result in ancillary orders such as weapons prohibitions, or mandatory placement on the child abuse or sexual offenders registries. A criminal record can prevent bonding or entry into the United States or other countries. The length of incarceration may result in removal from Canada for individuals who do not possess Canadian Citizenship.
Provincial offences are tried in the provincial court system and are often regulatory in nature. High fines, jail, restrictions on practice in a trade, driving privileges, seizures of goods, professional licensing, trade, and property issues are just some sentences and areas effected by provincial legislation.
Municipal offences often deal with city or town regulation and the scope of such offences is tightly regulated based upon the powers given to a municipality by provincial legislation.
The Charter or Rights and Freedoms is the paramount protection for individuals in Canada. Many charges require an analysis of rights granted under the Charter to determine if a breach of has occurred in any of a number of areas including: whether a statement given to a police officer or other person in authority is admissible, was there a proper search and seizure, is the result of the breath test admissible or should it be excluded, was right to counsel given and facilitated. Virtually any evidence collected by police I may be subject to Charter scrutiny.
Criminal law in Canada has become a complex and comprehensive field. It requires a vast knowledge of the interplay between a host of pieces of legislation. A qualified experienced lawyer is critical to representation. Cases often require immediate action on the part of an attorney either to prevent charges from being laid or to begin the defense process in an effort to preserve evidence or defenses. Laying the groundwork early, interviewing witnesses, access to the use of an array of experts are tools a capable counsel will impart at the onset of a case.
Choice of counsel is integral. The ability to analyze, to advocate, negotiate, communicate, and focus on the issues are part of a looter's skill set. The ability to cross examine is fundamental, not all lawyers are the same. Capable experienced counsel can make the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Province
Hussein Aly is a highly successful trial lawyer. His experience and track record of success resulted in the Law Society of Ontario recognizing him as a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. In 2021, he was named a Lexpert Rising Star, an award recognizing leading lawyers under 40. Hussein was also elected by his colleagues to sit on the board of directors for the Criminal Lawyers Association. Hussein has successfully defended hundreds of criminal cases, many of them garnering media attention.
Louis Belleau has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1981, practicing in the field of criminal and penal law. Having served as Crown counsel from 1981 to 1983, Mr. Belleau then practiced at the firms of Silver Braun, Filteau Belleau and Shadley Battista before opening his own office in 2012. Mr. Belleau has appeared before all courts of criminal jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec and, on occasion, in jurisdictions outside Quebec. He appeared many times before the Supreme Court of Canad...
Erin Breen was born and raised in St. John’s and is a graduate of Gonzaga High School, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of New Brunswick Law School. Erin began practicing criminal defence law in 2003 with Robert Simmonds Q.C. and has since focused on CDSA and Charter defence. Erin has volunteered with the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC), a national non-profit organization based in Toronto dedicated to the identification and rectification of...
Daniel Brown is among an elite group of Toronto criminal defence lawyers certified as a criminal law specialist by the Law Society of Ontario, the governing body of Ontario lawyers. This certification guarantees that the recipient is, “recognized and experienced in his or her field of law and who has met high standards”. Daniel is a seasoned and highly skilled criminal defence lawyer. With his office located in close proximity to several key courthouses in downtown Toronto, he rou...
Marc-André G. Fabien, Ad. E. is a seasoned litigator and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers recognized for his mastery of high-profile complex litigation. He specializes in commercial and shareholders’ disputes, securities litigation and penal proceedings, and litigation involving federal, provincial and municipal bodies. In addition, he is the President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Marc-André appears before all levels of courts, including the Supreme...
Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers (Chair, Ontario Committee). Fellow of International Society of Barristers. Best Lawyers in Canada® , Criminal Defence. Former Director, Advocates’ Society. Faculty Member, National Criminal Law Program. Criminal lawyer experienced in criminal, quasi-criminal, constitutional and special prosecutions matters. Appeared as counsel on many jury and bench trials, argued over 80 appeals in the Court of Appeal for Ontario and multiple appearances ...
Eric V. Gottardi, Q.C. practices primarily in the area of criminal defence, focusing on appellate and extradition work. Graduating from Queen’s Law, Eric went on to clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. After being called to the bar, he joined the firm of Peck and Company, becoming a partner in 2009. He has appeared as counsel in all levels of court in British Columbia and in the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2009, he was called to the Bar in Ontario as a special prosecutor. Eric has ...
Brian Greenspan is one of the most prominent and respected defence lawyers in Canada. He has served as counsel on many of Canada’s most significant cases that have helped shape criminal law over the past four and a half decades. He has an unparalleled and distinguished reputation in both trial and appellate law. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and Litigation Counsel of America, Brian is sought after for his sage advice in respe...
Mark Halfyard is the senior appellate lawyer at Daniel Brown Law . He obtained his B.A. in legal studies and political science from Carleton University in 2001, graduating at the top of his faculty. He graduated with his LL.B. cum laude from the University of Ottawa, where he completed a clerkship with the Regional Senior Judge of the Ontario Superior Court. The Law Society of Ontario has certified Mark as a specialist in criminal law. With less than 100 certified criminal specialists in Onta...
One of Canada’s leading criminal defence counsel, David has been a partner in the firm for over thirty years. His advocacy practice is focused on the vigorous defence of individuals and corporations facing criminal investigation or prosecution, and regulated professionals responding to allegations of professional misconduct. David has argued cases in all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is equally experienced and adept conducting trials, appeals, and profession...
Howard Krongold is a partner at Abergel Goldstein & Partners LLP and is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. His practice focuses on criminal appeals and complex trials. Howard has argued over half a dozen times before the Supreme Court of Canada, and he has appeared as lead counsel in over 100 appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario. At the trial level, he has successfully defended clients charged with murder, large-scale drug trafficking, and sexual assault. Howard has lecture...
Michael W. Lacy, B.A., LL.B., is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer practicing in the area of criminal law and administrative disciplinary proceedings. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He started his career with the esteemed criminal law firm of Gold & Fuerst and was called to the bar as a lawyer in Ontario in 1997. Throughout his career he has worked with some of Canada’s le...
CURRICULUM VITAE 1977 - Present Partner in law firm, Lutz Longstaff Parish, specializing in criminal and family law. A. Committees, Associations, Appointments and Elected Positions. 1990 - 1991 President - Law Society of New Brunswick. 1992 - 1996 Vice-Chair, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. 1996 - 2008 Treasurer, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. 1994 - Present New Brunswick Criminal Lawyers Association, Treasurer. 1986 - 1991 Federation of Law Societies National Cri...
Jeffrey is Criminal Lawyer and Associate Counsel at Ross & McBride LLP. A criminal lawyer in Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. Manishen commenced his practice of with Ross and McBride in 1985. Prior to that he was an Assistant Crown Attorney in Hamilton from 1977 - 1985. Over the years, he has defended a similarly-wide range of criminal charges as well as drug offences, tax evasion and proceedings under the Provincial Offences Act. He has also, on occasion, been retained by the Ministry of the Attor...
Joseph Markson’s practice is directed to the defence of individual and corporate clients in criminal and regulatory litigation. His practice areas are criminal and regulatory law, tax evasion and white-collar crime, and the law of policing and professional discipline. He has extensive experience successfully conducting criminal and quasi-criminal trials, regulatory and professional discipline hearings, appeals, advisory work, and witness representation. Joseph was selected by his peers ...
Patrick McCann’s practice is focused on white collar crime litigation. He has represented clients in all trial and appellate courts in Ontario, and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has been lead counsel in numerous major criminal trials and has handled over 60 homicide cases. Other cases involve drug trafficking, commercial fraud, regulatory offences and prosecutions under the Income Tax Act, the Competition Act and the Lobbying Act.
Andrew Nathanson, KC is Co-Leader of the firm’s White Collar Defence and Investigations group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar crime. Andrew is sought after by corporations, directors and investors for his expertise in shareholders' disputes, oppression claims, proxy contests, and commercial disputes. Many of Andrew's commercial cases involve multi-jurisdictional disputes. Andrew was co-counsel for Lions Gate Entertainment, successfully defeating t...
Joseph A Neuberger is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Criminal Law. He has a Masters Degree of Law, and is a published author. Joseph Neuberger leverages over three decades of experience to build a highly respected criminal defence firm with a proven track record of success. Mr. Neuberger has extensive trial experience in the areas of sexual and domestic assault cases, homicide, fraud, drug-related offences and impaired driving. Mr. Neuberger has successfully conduc...
Evan Roitenberg has been practising law since 1992 and is deeply committed to protecting the rights of the accused and equally committed to the advancement of the legal profession.Over his three decades as a defence lawyer, Mr. Roitenberg has been recognized as a persistent, determined, and strong advocate. Evan has been involved in numerous high-profile and precedent-setting cases. He has defended clients in Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia and at the Supreme Co...
Brian Ross is a founding partner at Canada’s largest Criminal Lawyer Toronto Brian Ross criminal law firm, Rusonik, O’Connor, Ross & Angelini, LLP. Prior to founding this firm, Brian was a partner at Pinkofskys, a leading law firm famous for its vigorous defence of its clients. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology, and authoring several journal publications in this area, Mr. Ross attended Osgoode Hall Law School. He immediately established hi...
Janani is a passionate and dedicated advocate. Her track record speaks for itself. She has argued almost 40 appeals at the Ontario Court of Appeal. She has argued at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. She was co-counsel in R. v. Nur, the first case in over 30 years where the Supreme Court found a mandatory minimum sentence unconstitutional and in R. v. Williams, the Supreme Court's most recent case on entrapment. Janani is also a skilled trial lawyer. She was co...
William Smart is a senior litigator who has over 40 years of experience primarily in the areas of criminal, administrative and regulatory law. This includes representing clients under investigation or charged pursuant to various federal and provincial Acts such as the Income Tax Act, Canada Labour Code, Fisheries Act, Customs Act, Excise Act, Workers Compensation Act, Mines Act, Securities Act, Police Act, Gaming Enforcement Act and Elections Act, as well as representing lawyers, teachers, an...
Michael is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and a partner at Abergel Goldstein & Partners LLP . Michael’s laid-back charm disarms the toughest witnesses and has an irresistible effect on judges and juries alike. Michael has developed a broad-ranging criminal litigation practice, and has appeared before all levels of court. He has defended cases ranging from simple assaults to large drug projects, to complex murders, and has had particular success before juries. Michael has bee...
Seth Weinstein has an advocacy practice focused on criminal and regulatory matters, appearing before all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. He represents individual and corporate clients on a wide variety of criminal charges, including homicides, sexual assault, fraud, drinking and driving offences and offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He has also served as a per diem Crown Attorney. Seth also represents individuals in professional discipline mat...
Kevin Westell is a founding partner at Pender Litigation. In addition to his criminal and regulatory defence work, he is often retained to act as Crown Counsel, counsel for witnesses in criminal proceedings and as amicus curiae (counsel for the Court). He has represented clients across Canada facing all levels of seriousness and at all levels of court in British Columbia. Mr. Westell was elected a Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) Bencher for Vancouver County on November 16, 2020 and beg...
With over 45 years of experience practicing law, Richard Wolson has the experience you deserve. One of Canada’s most prominent lawyers, Mr. Wolson has worked to defend all kinds of people just like you. With notable high profile cases such as the 2010 Schreiber, Mulroney inquiry, and the Wrongful Conviction Inquiry of Thomas Sophonow. Richard has represented clients in nearly every province in Canada. The hallmark of Richard Wolson’s career as a lawyer is his willingness to share ...
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