You’ve been charged with a criminal offence or have a pressing employment, civil litigation, or human rights dispute in Toronto, Woodbridge, Vaughan, the GTA, or Ontario.
It’s stressful, confusing, and you may not know what to expect next. Maybe this is your first time dealing with the police or legal system. Or, maybe you’ve been through it before and didn’t like how things turned out.
My job is to make this process clear and to protect you from being treated unfairly. I take the time to understand what happened, explain your options, and defend you with care and focus.
Below, I explain how the criminal justice system works, the kinds of services I offer outside of criminal defence, and how I handle your case from start to finish.
What does a lawyer do? What areas of law do you practice?
I devote approximately 50% of my practice to criminal defence. However, I also have a special interest in employment law, human rights, and civil litigation. I protect your rights with drive, regardless of the area of law. I always try to achieve the best resolution possible for my clients; whether that is getting the money you are owed, or compensating you for poor treatment. In the criminal justice system specifically, however, my primary goal is to protect your rights. Whenever you are charged with a crime, you have the right to be presumed innocent. No one can say you are guilty until they prove it. It is my job to show the court why you are not guilty, or to resolve your case before trial in a better way than whatever the Crown is asking for.
I need help with civil litigation, an employment issue, or a human rights claim. Will this be expensive, and do we need to go to court?
The litigation process can be expensive, but the ultimate goal is to secure you a settlement that substantially offsets the costs of litigation. Often, formal court proceedings may be limited or unnecessary. In other cases, more substantial motions may be required. Fortunately, in civil matters like these, trials–while not impossible–are exceptionally rare (unlike in criminal law).
What should I do if I’m charged with a criminal offence?
Take a deep breath. Contact us right away so we can protect your rights and guide you calmly through the legal process.
Which courthouses do you work at?
I represent clients across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and throughout Ontario, Canada. For example, some courthouses I frequent include, but are not limited to:
Toronto
10 Armoury Street, Toronto, and associated North York locations
York Region (Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Aurora, Newmarket)
50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket
Peel Region (Brampton and Mississauga)
7755 Hurontario Street, Brampton
Halton Region (Burlington, Oakville, Milton)
491 Steeles Ave East, Milton
Durham Region (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa)
150 Bond Street East, Oshawa
Simcoe (Norfolk County)
50 Frederick Hobson VC Drive, Simcoe
Hamilton Region (Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster)
45 Main Street East, Hamilton
Guelph
36 Wyndham Street South, Guelph
Waterloo (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge)
85 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Dufferin Region (Orangeville)
10 Louisa Street, Orangeville
Barrie Region
75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie
Ottawa Courthouse
161 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
Bradford West Gwillimbury
57 Holland Street East, Bradford
Niagara Falls
4635 Queen Street, Niagara Falls
London (Middlesex County)
80 Dundas Street, London
Woodstock
415 Hunter Street, Woodstock
Windsor Essex
200 Chatham Street, Windsor, ON
Do I need to speak to the police?
Absolutely not, but you might need to comply with some of their demands.
While you must provide the police with identification if you have been (1) detained, (2) arrested, or (3) stopped in a motor vehicle, you have no obligation to speak to police otherwise.
The only exception would be a roadside breath test, which does not legally count as being detained and therefore does not trigger the right to a lawyer until you are detained or arrested. Legally, you must comply with all police demands for a breath sample. Otherwise, you will be charged with a criminal offence for the refusal. You are entitled to speak to a lawyer only before an intoxilyzer test, not the handheld roadside breath test.
In all other scenarios, speaking to the police without a lawyer can severely harm your case, so reach out to us first.
Will I have a criminal record?
Not necessarily. Many cases are resolved without a criminal record through measures such as withdrawals, diversions, peace bonds, or discharges. This is especially common for minor offences, first time offenders, and youth charges. Every situation is different, so we review your case carefully to explore options that protect your record whenever possible.
Will I go to jail?
For those charged with minor offences and with no criminal record, this is highly unlikely. This is not always true, but it is generally uncommon for jail to be on the table for minor missteps. For example, mischief under 5000, simple assault, theft under 5000, harassment, uttering threats, vandalism, purchasing sexual services over age 18, and several other minor offences, will only rarely attract prison time where the accused has no criminal record.
What is the Crown?
In Canada, the government has a team of lawyers called the Crown. They prosecute your case. Prosecute means they seek to prove why you are guilty and ask the court to punish you in a certain way. It is my job to show the court either why you are not guilty, or why you deserve a lesser punishment than what the Crown asks for.
How quickly should I hire a criminal defence lawyer?
As soon as possible. Early action helps us safeguard your rights and develop the strongest defence strategy for your situation.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
We can discuss block payment options or a retainer. Everyone deserves a proper defence, and we make it accessible.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases are resolved without trial through negotiations (90 percent plus). We will guide you to the best outcome, whether in court or through resolution. At a certain point, some of my clients may need to make a difficult decision. Sometimes, that is a decision of whether or not to proceed to trial. I have strong negotiation skills with Crown attorneys throughout the GTA, however, in more serious situations, negotiation can only go so far. While it is uncommon, trial can sometimes be our best option.
Wait, what is a trial though?
A trial is what you see in the movies.
In essence, a trial is when the accused sits with their lawyer at a bench in front of a judge in a courtroom. Another lawyer, called the prosecution or the Crown, sits on the opposite side.
These two lawyers then argue about whether or not the accused is guilty. Since I am the defence lawyer, I will always argue that you are not guilty. The Crown tries to argue that you are guilty.
At a trial, evidence is used to support our arguments, including witnesses, video footage, written evidence, photographs, and even physical evidence such as clothing or DNA.
Trials can be risky because you never know what the judge or jury is going to decide. If they decide you are guilty, it becomes a more challenging situation. Sentencing options may be limited, and the result is no longer within your control. That is why the decision to go to trial has to be made carefully and strategically, although sometimes it is the best option.
So, when is trial the best option?
Basically, a trial is only viable in two situations: (a) where the evidence is not enough to prove you are guilty, or (b) where the Crown’s offers for a resolution before trial are bad or unreasonable.
(a) is self explanatory. If there is not enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a trial will be easier to win.
(b) is more complicated. Sometimes the Crown’s offers for a plea deal are terrible, so we have nothing to lose by going to trial. Other times, the Crown’s offers are fair and give us a chance to resolve the case without the risks, stress, and cost of a trial. The key is to weigh the strength of the evidence, the potential outcomes, and what makes sense for you in the long run.
How long does a criminal case take?
This varies widely. It depends on the charges and court schedules. Sometimes a case can be resolved in a few months. Commonly, charges take about six months or as long as a year to complete. Other cases can take even longer.
This is for several reasons. The Crown is backlogged with cases and usually takes at least a couple of months to provide initial disclosure. The Crown often does not want to settle on reasonable terms at first, and it takes time to wear them down. I may also want you to complete upfront work such as volunteering or therapy to improve your chances, and that takes time.
I try to reduce the chances of a prolonged outcome, but my priority is always the most favourable result possible, which unfortunately requires patience.
Can I talk to you before making any decisions?
Absolutely. I encourage questions at any hour and make sure you fully understand every step before deciding on a course of action. My door is always open.
Will information I share with you stay private?
Yes. Lawyer client privilege protects our communications, giving you confidentiality and peace of mind.
Do you serve clients only in Toronto?
No, I serve clients across the GTA and Ontario wide. I will travel to wherever you are if necessary, whether that is downtown Toronto, Woodbridge, Brampton, Oshawa, Vaughan, Pickering, Ottawa, Windsor, Sudbury, Hudsons Bay Northern Ontario, or indigenous reserves. I will go wherever you need me.
Can I contact you outside business hours?
Yes. I make myself available for urgent questions and guidance because your situation matters at any hour.
What if I am arrested at night or on a weekend?
Call us immediately. I provide emergency assistance to ensure your rights are protected at all times.
How do you communicate case updates?
We keep clients informed through phone, email, or meetings, so you always know the status of your case.
Do you handle only serious criminal cases?
No. I handle everything from minor charges to complex cases and treat all cases with the same level of respect.
Will I have to appear in court?
Most cases require at least one appearance. We prepare you fully so you feel supported and confident throughout the process.
Can I be represented if I am out of town?
Yes. I can communicate remotely and, when necessary, arrange local representation to ensure your case is handled properly.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call or email us anytime. I offer confidential consultations to discuss your case and guide you on the next steps.
What makes your firm different from others?
We combine experience with personalized attention. Our goal is to make you feel safe, understood, and confident every step of the way.
Who else will work on my case?
While I operate independently, I regularly collaborate with a select group of trusted lawyers on certain firm files. With your consent, I may involve them in your case where it may strengthen your defence. This collaboration will not affect your fees. It is conducted in strict confidence and designed solely to ensure you receive the best representation possible.
