Trials
Toronto Trial Lawyer
Richard has successfully acted for individuals facing criminal charges at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice, both before a judge and a jury.
He has secured acquittals of persons from all walks of life, including youth, students, and professionals. The foundation for his successes is an uncompromising dedication to his clients and an emphasis on the highest level of preparation.
Richard acts persons facing criminal charges across Toronto and Southern Ontario, including: Oshawa, Brampton, Newmarket, Orangeville, Barrie, Milton, Burlington, Kitchener, Peterborough, Hamilton, and Cobourg.
Richard is always available to discuss the specifics of your case and answer any questions.
Call today to schedule a no charge consultation.
Appeals
Appeal Lawyer Toronto
There is no other way to say it: being convicted of a criminal offence is life altering. It impacts one’s self-esteem, reputation in the community, opportunities for employment, ability to travel, and can put an incredible stress on your family.
However, that does not have to be the final answer. Judges are human. They sometimes get things wrong.
Richard has successfully appealed decisions to the Superior Court of Justice (“Summary Conviction Appeals”) and to the Ontario Court of Appeal (“Indictable Appeals”).
I will meet with you to discuss options for the appeal of your conviction, sentence, or both. Potential avenues for an appeal, include:
- Pointing to Errors of law. For example, that the judge misunderstood the evidence or made errors respecting the admissibility of the evidence.
- Identifying a Miscarriage of Justice.
- If you were self-represented, that the judge did not sufficiently assist you in presenting your defence at the trial.
- In respect to sentence, that the judge did not pay sufficient attention to factors that were to your benefit; that the monetary penalty was excessive; or that the sentence was simply too long.
If there was a jail sentence, Richard can also assist you or your loved one with obtaining Bail Pending Appeal, so that they do not unnecessarily spend time in custody awaiting the appeal. In addition, an application can be made to suspend any orders made by the judge, for example, if the sentence included the suspension of your driver’s license or probation.
Richard is always available to discuss the specifics of your appeal and answer any questions.
Call today to schedule a no charge consultation.
Bail Hearings
Toronto Bail Hearing Lawyer
Obtaining bail at the earliest opportunity is of fundamental importance. Richard can assist you or a family member secure bail at the earliest opportunity, including:
- Arranging with the police the release or you or your loved one from the station and avoiding being held in custody overnight.
- Negotiating with the Crown Attorney your release on bail without the need for a bail hearing.
- Ensuring that the bail conditions imposed by the court are the least restrictive, ensuring that you can return to your normal life as much as possible.
RECORD OF SUCCESS
Richard has assisted individuals obtain bail facing a wide range of criminal allegations across Toronto and Southern Ontario since 2001.
The key to his success is an attention to detail when it comes to preparing for the hearing.
- Obtaining a detailed description of the allegations from the prosecutor.
- Meeting ahead with persons who will be bailing his client out (the “sureties”) and detailing the “plan of release”.
- Where necessary, securing letters from employers or community organizations.
- Identifying other cases where persons have in similar circumstances been released on bail.
If you are released on bail, Richard can speak to the Crown to change your bail conditions. Common terms that can negatively impact you and your family include preventing you from returning to the family home and restrictions on your movements (curfew/house arrest).
If a family member has been denied bail, Richard can make an application to the Superior Court for a review of the detention order, called a “Bail Review”.
Richard is available 24/7 to discuss the specifics of your case and answer any questions. He has acted as a bail hearing lawyer in Oshawa, London, Brampton, Newmarket, Orangeville, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, and Cobourg.
Call now to immediately speak with Richard if you or a family member has been arrested or is in custody.
Self-Represented Consultation
More and more individuals who face criminal charges are making the choice to represent themselves.
The reasons for doing so vary. Sometimes the motive is economic, other times it is more personal. Importantly, it is a constitutional right of anyone in Canada to represented themselves. After all, nobody knows the case better than you.
That said, while you have the advantage of knowing what happened (the “facts” of the case), you are likely at a disadvantage to the Crown’s knowledge of the law and court procedures.
The Self-Represented Consultation can help level that playing.
Issues can arise at any stage of the proceeding, from the initial charge to preparing for the trial, that can benefit from the impartial guidance of a professional.
For over 20 years, Richard has successfully represented individuals facing a wide range of charges.
The issues and question that can be addressed, include:
- Assistance with review of the disclosure
- Identifying potential defences to charges
- Preparation of effective cross-examination of the Crown’s witnesses
- Did the police violate your constitutional rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that can lead to the exclusion of evidence?
- How to introduce documentary or social media evidence as part of your defence?
- The preparation of a convincing closing argument
These are but a few examples. The specific issues that are important to the defence of your case will depend on its own unique facts.
Richard is always available to discuss the specific of your proceeding and answer any questions.
Call today to schedule a no fee initial consultation.
