Céline Dostaler

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

A term in prison almost certain for U.S. child pornography offenders

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Many products flow easily over the Canada/U.S. border, including child pornography, with both countries handing out harsh sentences to perpetrators. “Child pornography is illegal under federal and state laws in the United States and is punishable by up to life imprisonment and fines of up to US$250,000,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer […]

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Indecent exposure involving children offends public sensibilities

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • If someone deliberately exposes their genitals or nipples to someone under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose they could be charged with indecent exposure. The setting for this crime can be in public parks, changerooms or anywhere children can be found. A related charge involves committing an indecent act.

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Understand the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Most Canadians look for ways to reduce the amount of taxes they pay to the government each year. Some tactics, such as investing in tax-sheltered accounts, are perfectly legal. But other strategies may be regarded as either tax avoidance or tax evasion. While the second can result in criminal charges, tax

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Stiff penalties given for driving under the influence of drugs

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Some people may believe they can drive after consuming cannabis or some other drug. They are risking losing their licence and they could be fined or jailed. That is because the Criminal Code states that it is an offence to operate a “conveyance while the person’s ability … is impaired to

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The age of consent in Canada is 16 in most instances

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Generally speaking, the age of consent in Canada is sixteen. That is when a young person can legally agree to sexual activity, ranging from kissing and fondling to sexual intercourse. But there are some exceptions when it comes to consent. “Sexual activity without consent is a criminal offence, regardless of age,”

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What is the offence of sharing intimate pictures online?

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Two common reasons for the non-consensual distribution of intimate images are revenge porn and cyberbullying, though some people may not know what those terms mean. “Revenge porn describes the act of receiving an intimate image or video from someone and then distributing it without their consent,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline

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Truckers’ protest and cybercrimes highlighted the year in criminal law

/ 2022 Year in Review, Criminal Law /

Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline Dostaler, principal at Céline Dostler Criminal Defence Lawyer, opened the year by discussing what traits people should look for when choosing legal counsel. What qualities should you look for when choosing a lawyer Dostaler followed that up by noting that lawyers and their clients must develop trust in each other. The

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Third-party records ruling by the SCC is disappointing

/ Criminal Law /

The decision by the nation’s highest court to uphold rape shield provisions that were ruled unconstitutional by two lower courts is disconcerting to many defence counsel as it limits our ability to defend clients. In June, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that the accused in a sexual assault trial does not have the

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