Céline Dostaler

celine@celinedostaler.ca (613) 695-8595 Cell (613) 863-8595 (24/7)

Though hard to detect, white-collar crime can be devastating

/ Criminal Law /

There is no Criminal Code offence called “white-collar crime” though it is generally recognized as offences committed by those in the financial or corporate world. The Canadian Encyclopedia states that it consists of occupational crime and corporate crime, explaining “occupational crime refers to offences committed against legitimate institutions (businesses or government) by those with ‘respectable’ social […]

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Financial statements often point to wrongdoing in fraud cases

/ Criminal Law /

Since financial fraud involves money transactions, paper and electronic records are the most common forms of evidence. Many fraud cases I’ve been involved in have required me to sift through financial statements and banking information, trying to find documentation that supports my clients. Any type of record that shows money being transferred can be used

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Many factors at play when deciding on a penalty for fraud

/ Criminal Law /

There are many factors the court weighs when determining the penalty for fraud, the primary one being the amount of money involved. If someone is charged with fraud under $5,000, the Crown has two choices. They can proceed by indictment and seek the maximum penalty of two years in federal prison followed by three years

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Intimate partner violence, by any name, is taken very seriously

/ Criminal Law /

Intimate partner violence (IPV) ranges from emotional abuse, such as name-calling, to repeated physical or sexual assaults and homicide. According to information from Statistics Canada, IPV is recognized as a public health issue that can have far-reaching consequences on not only the victim but also on families, communities and society at large. Women, young people

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Domestic assault trials can go ahead, even if the victim recants

/ Criminal Law /

Once a police investigation has begun after an allegation of domestic assault – whether an actual assault, mischief to property or a threat – the complainant’s wishes carry little weight, as officers are required to lay charges if they find evidence that a domestic assault has taken place. I’ve had many cases where in the

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Evidence in domestic assaults includes photos, medical records

/ Criminal Law /

When someone calls the police and claims they were a victim of domestic assault, officers will probably take away the suspect in handcuffs and then start collecting evidence. If you find yourself in that situation, don’t give a statement to the police but instead call an attorney who can help you present the best defence

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