There are times that the legislation in the Criminal Code is no longer enforced, as sometimes years pass before it is updated to keep up with changes made by Parliament. The change to the laws dealing with abortion is one example. They were declared unconstitutional in 1988. But 30 years later, they could still be […]
Updates to the Criminal Code reflect societal values Read More »
When it comes to criminal law, the entire country adheres to legislation set out in our Criminal Code. It was established by Parliament in 1892, in accordance with section 91(27) of the Constitution Act, 1867, which gives the federal government the power to enact criminal laws in Canada. Over the years the Code has been
Basic principles of the Canadian justice system Read More »
When prospective clients meet me for a free consultation to talk about their case, subjects that invariably come up are the fees I charge as well as my retainer. For example, someone might come into my office and say, “I have been charged with for impaired driving. What will it cost me to fight that
There are good reasons for the fees that lawyers charge Read More »
When you come to speak to me about legal matters, anything you tell me is privileged, which means confidential. I cannot talk to anyone about what you disclosed without your explicit permission. To read more, click here. Look for someone you can trust when choosing a lawyer How to enter a guilty plea when you
Solicitor/client privilege will protect your privacy Read More »
The lawyer/client relationship has to be one built on respect and trust. The client has to be confident enough to tell their legal counsel personal details. That is especially true with charges of a sexual nature, where the client has to talk about what led to the alleged incident. To read more, click here. How
The best client/lawyer relationships are built on trust Read More »
The right lawyer is someone willing to fight hard on your behalf at every stage of your criminal case. They have to be someone willing to listen to you and understand your perspective about the events that led to the charges. Most importantly, it must be someone you are able to work with and trust.
What qualities should you look for when choosing a lawyer Read More »
Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline Dostaler covered a wide range of offences in her posts throughout 2021, describing not only what constitutes each crime but also the best defences and possible sentencing. In January, she focused on white-collar crime including breach of trust. White-collar crimes cause ‘more financial harm’ than other offences White-collar breach of trust
A year of criminal legal advice, from theft to child sex offences Read More »
After you make arrangements to meet a lawyer for a free consultation, try to get a sense of whether that legal counsel is someone you will be able to confide in. You will need to develop a working relationship with that person. Throughout your case, they cannot effectively represent you without your input. No matter
Look for someone you can trust when choosing a lawyer Read More »
Some people want to plead guilty to whatever crime they are charged with to avoid the trouble and expense of enduring a trial. Here is what they need to know about entering a guilty plea if they choose to be self-represented instead of hiring a lawyer. To read more, click here. Wilful blindness no defence
How to enter a guilty plea when you are self-represented Read More »
Once a self-represented defendant makes it past their first appearance, the next step is to start thinking of the actual trial and what defence they will present to the court. A key step involves examining the Crown’s disclosure, or the evidence they have accumulated to establish the accused’s guilt. To read more, click here. Possessing
Building a viable defence among the tasks of the self-represented Read More »
