Award Winning Criminal Lawyers Accepting Clients in Ontario

Caramanna Friedberg LLP

From October 4 to 29, 2021, Canadian Lawyer Magazine conducted a survey to select the top boutique criminal law firms in Canada. From an extensive list of candidates, respondents ranked the top firms in this category in Canada, including in the Region in Ontario. Survey participants were asked to rank the top criminal law firms by region. Voters chose ten top boutique criminal law firms in Ontario, with Caramanna Friedberg LLP being selected as one of the top ten.

Cities We Serve in the District

Postal Codes We Serve in the District

Court Houses in District

courthouse namecityaddresspostal codeprovince
1000 Finch - TorontoToronto1000 Finch Ave. WestM3J 2V5Ontario
1911 Eglinton - TorontoToronto1911 Eglinton Ave EastM1L 4P4Ontario
2201 Finch - TorontoToronto2201 Finch Ave. WestM9M 2Y9Ontario
311 Jarvis - TorontoToronto311 Jarvis St.M5B 2C4Ontario
330 University - TorontoToronto330 University Ave.M5G 1R7Ontario
361 University - TorontoToronto361 University Ave.M5G 1T3Ontario
393 University - TorontoToronto393 University Ave. - 6th Fl.M5G 1E6Ontario
444 Yonge (College Park) - TorontoToronto444 Yonge St., College Park - 2nd Fl.M5B 2H4Ontario
47 Sheppard - TorontoToronto47 Sheppard Ave. EastM2N 5N1Ontario
60 Queen (Old City Hall) - TorontoToronto60 Queen St. W. Old City HallM5H 2M4Ontario
Alexandria CourthouseAlexandria110 Main St. North, PO Box 699K0C 1A0Ontario
Armstrong CourthouseArmstrongARDC Building 111 Queen St, PO Box 2000P0T 1A0Ontario
Atikokan CourthouseAtikokan108-124 Mark StreetP0T 1C0Ontario
Attawapiskat CourthouseAttawapiskatReg Louttit SportsplexP0L 1A0Ontario
Bancroft CourthouseBancroft5 Fairway BlvdK0L 1C0Ontario
Barrie CourthouseBarrie75 Mulcaster StreetL4M 3P2Ontario
Bearskin Lake CourthouseBearskin LakeCommunity Centre, General DeliveryP0V 1G0Ontario
Belleville CourthouseBelleville15 Bridge Street WestK8P 0C7Ontario
Big Trout Lake CourthouseBig Trout LakeCommunity HallP0V 1G0Ontario
Blind River CourthouseBlind River15 Hudson St.P0R 1B0Ontario
Bracebridge (Muskoka District) CourthouseBracebridge3 Dominion St.P1L 2E6Ontario
Bradford (West Gwillimbury) CourthouseBradford57 Holland St. E.L3Z 1H8Ontario
Brampton (A. Grenville & William Davis) CourthouseBrampton7765 Hurontario StreetL6W 4T1Ontario
Brampton (A. Grenville & William Davis) CourthouseBrampton7755 Hurontario StreetL6W 4T1Ontario
Brantford CourthouseBrantford44 Queen St.N3T 3B2Ontario
Brantford CourthouseBrantford70 Wellington St.N3T 2L9Ontario
Brighton CourthouseBrighton35 Alice St.K0K 1H0Ontario
Brockville CourthouseBrockville41 Court House SquareK6V 7N3Ontario
Burk's Falls CourthouseBurk's Falls300 Ontario St. Plaza 11, Hwy 11 Box 119P0A 1C0Ontario
Burlington CourthouseBurlington2021 Plains Rd. E.L7R 4M3Ontario
Cat Lake CourthouseCat LakeSchool GymP0V 1J0Ontario
Cayuga CourthouseCayuga55 Munsee St. N.N0A 1E0Ontario
Chapleau CourthouseChapleauCivic Centre- 20 Pine St. WP0M 1K0Ontario
Chatham CourthouseChatham425 Grand Ave W (Entire Bldg)N7M 6M8Ontario
Cobourg (Northumberland County) CourthouseCobourg860 William St.K9A 3A9Ontario
Cochrane CourthouseCochrane149 Fourth Ave Box 638P0L 1C0Ontario
Collingwood CourthouseCollingwood49 Huron St.L9Y 1C5Ontario
Cornwall CourthouseCornwall29 Second St. W.K6J 1G3Ontario
Deer Lake CourthouseDeer LakeDavid Meekis Memorial SchoolP0V 1N0Ontario
Dryden CourthouseDryden479 Government St. Box 1P8N 3K9Ontario
Elgin County CourthouseSt. Thomas4 Wellington StreetN5R 2P2Ontario
Elliot Lake CourthouseElliot Lake200 Ontario AveP5A 1Y5Ontario
Espanola CourthouseEspanola100 Tudhope St.,2nd fl, Suite 3P5E 1S6Ontario
Exeter CourthouseExeter316 William St.N0M 1S0Ontario
Fort Albany CourthouseFort AlbanyMundo Peetabeck AcademyP0L 1H0Ontario
Fort Erie CourthouseFort Erie200 Jarvis St.L2A 2S7Ontario
Fort Frances CourthouseFort Frances333 Church St.P9A 1C9Ontario
Fort Hope CourthouseFort HopeCo-Op BuildingP0T 1L0Ontario
Fort Severn CourthouseFort SevernWasaho 1st Nation SchoolP0V 1W0Ontario
Geraldton CourthouseGeraldton299 East Street Cultural CentreP0T 1M0Ontario
Goderich CourthouseGoderich1 Courthouse Sq.N7A 1M2Ontario
Gogama CourthouseGogamaCommunity Centre Hwy 661P0M 1W0Ontario
Gore Bay CourthouseGore Bay27 Phipps StreetP0P 1H0Ontario
Guelph CourthouseGuelph74 Woolwich St.N1H 3T9Ontario
Guelph CourthouseGuelph36 Wyndham Street SouthN1H 7J5Ontario
Haileybury CourthouseHaileybury393 Main St. Box 609P0J 1K0Ontario
Hamilton (John Sopinka) CourthouseHamilton45 Main St. E.L8N 2B7Ontario
Hamilton CourthouseHamilton55 Main St. W.L8P 1H4Ontario
Hearst CourthouseHearst141 Gasp?sie RoadP0L 1R0Ontario
Hornepayne CourthouseHornepayne48 -6th AveP0M 1Z0Ontario
Huntsville CourthouseHuntsville36 Chaffey St.P1H 1J4Ontario
Ignace CourthouseIgnaceNorth Woods Motor Inn, Highway #17P0T 1T0Ontario
Iroquois Falls CourthouseIroquois Falls253 Main St.P0L 1C0Ontario
Kapuskasing CourthouseKapuskasing122 Government Road West, Ontario Government BuildingP5N 2X8Ontario
Kapuskasing CourthouseKapuskasingCivic Centre, 88 Riverside Dr.P5N 1B3Ontario
Kasabonika CourthouseKasabonikaCommunity SchoolP0V 1Y0Ontario
Kashechewan CourthouseKashechewanKaschechewan School AuditoriumP0L 1S0Ontario
Keewaywin CourthouseKeewaywinCommunity CentreP0V 0B1Ontario
Kemptville CourthouseKemptvilleTown Hall, 15 Water St.K0G 1J0Ontario
Kenora CourthouseKenora216 Water StreetP9N 1S4Ontario
Killaloe CourthouseKillaloe47 Mill St.K0J 2A0Ontario
Kingfisher CourthouseKingfisherMission BuildingP0V 1Z0Ontario
Kingston (Frontenac County) CourthouseKingston5 Court StreetK7L 2N4Ontario
Kingston CourthouseKingston469 Montreal St.K7K 3H9Ontario
Kingston CourthouseKingston279 Wellington St.K7K 6E1Ontario
Kirkland Lake CourthouseKirkland Lake140 Government Rd, E. PO Box 730P2N 3K1Ontario
L'Orignal CourthouseL'Orignal1023 King St.K0B 1K0Ontario
L'Orignal CourthouseL'Orignal59 Court St., 2nd Fl.K0B 1K0Ontario
Lac Seul CourthouseLac SeulEducation BuildingP0V 1X0Ontario
Lansdowne House CourthouseLansdowne HouseNeskantage Community CentreP0V 000Ontario
Leamington CourthouseLeamington7 Clark St. WestN8H 1E5Ontario
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP CourthouseOshawa150 Bond Street EastL1G 0A2Ontario
Lindsay CourthouseLindsay440 Kent St. W.K9V 6K2Ontario
London CourthouseLondon80 Dundas St.N6A 6A3Ontario
Longlac CourthouseLonglac117 Dieppe Rd., Royal Canadian LegionP0T 2A0Ontario
Manitouwadge CourthouseManitouwadge1 Mississauga DrP0T 2C0Ontario
Marathon CourthouseMarathon4 Hemlo DriveP0T 2E0Ontario
Mattawa CourthouseMattawa160 Water St. Town HallP0H 1V0Ontario
Midland CourthouseMidland605 Yonge St.L4R 2E1Ontario
Milton CourthouseMilton491 Steeles Ave E.L9T 1Y7Ontario
Minden CourthouseMinden7 Milne St.K0M 2K0Ontario
Moosonee CourthouseMoosonee38 Revillion Rd. NorthP0L 1Y0Ontario
Morrisburg CourthouseMorrisburg6 - 5th Street W. Box 858K0C 1X0Ontario
Muskrat Dam CourthouseMuskrat DamMuskrat Dam School GymP0V 2B0Ontario
Napanee CourthouseNapanee41 Dundas St. W.K7R 1Z5Ontario
Napanee CourthouseNapanee97 Thomas St. E.K7R 4B9Ontario
Newmarket CourthouseNewmarket50 Eagle St. W.L3Y 6B1Ontario
Nipigon CourthouseNipigon138 Wadsworth St. Recreation CentreP0T 2J0Ontario
North Bay CourthouseNorth Bay360 Plouffe StreetP1B 9L5Ontario
North Spirit Lake CourthouseNorth Spirit LakeNursing StationP0V 2G0Ontario
Ogoki Post CourthouseOgoki PostCommunity CentreP0T 2L0Ontario
Orangeville (County of Dufferin) CourthouseOrangeville10 Louisa St.L9W 3P9Ontario
Orillia CourthouseOrillia700 Memorial Ave. Cottage CL3V 6J3Ontario
Osgoode HallToronto130 Queen St. WestM5H 2N5Ontario
Ottawa CourthouseOttawa161 Elgin St., 2nd Fl.K2P 2K1Ontario
Owen Sound CourthouseOwen Sound611 - 9th Ave. EastN4K 6Z4Ontario
Parry Sound CourthouseParry Sound89 James St.P2A 1T7Ontario
Peawanuck CourthousePeawanuckChurch basementP0L 2HOOntario
Pembroke (Renfrew County) CourthousePembroke297 Pembroke St EK8A 3K2Ontario
Perth CourthousePerth43 Drummond St EK7H 1G1Ontario
Peterborough CourthousePeterborough470 Water St.K9H 3M3Ontario
Peterborough CourthousePeterborough70 Simcoe St.K9H 7G9Ontario
Pickle Lake CourthousePickle LakeMNRF Pickle Lake Attack Base, 3 Airport RdP0V 3A0Ontario
Picton CourthousePicton67 King St.K0K 2T0Ontario
Picton CourthousePicton44 Union St.K0K 2T0Ontario
Pikangikum CourthousePikangikumHotelP0V 2L0Ontario
Poplar Hill CourthousePoplar HillCommunity CentreP0V 3E0Ontario
Rainy River CourthouseRainy RiverRoyal Canadian Legion, 130 Atwood Ave.P0W 1L0Ontario
Red Lake CourthouseRed Lake115 Howey Street, Box 1070P0V 2M0Ontario
Renfrew CourthouseRenfrew315 Raglan St. S.K7V 1R6Ontario
Sachigo Lake CourthouseSachigo LakeResource CentreP0V 2P0Ontario
Sandy Lake CourthouseSandy LakeSchoolP0V 1V0Ontario
Sarnia CourthouseSarnia700 N. Christina StreetN7V 3C2Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie CourthouseSault Ste. Marie426 Queen St. E.P6A 6W2Ontario
Schreiber CourthouseSchreiber100 Langworthy Street Recreation CentreP0T 2S5Ontario
Sharbot Lake CourthouseSharbot Lake1107 Garrett St. 'OSO Township HallK0H 2P0Ontario
Simcoe CourthouseSimcoeSuite 301 - 50 Frederick Hobson VC DriveN3Y 0E4Ontario
Sioux Lookout CourthouseSioux Lookout18-4th Avenue SouthP8T 1C5Ontario
Small Claims Court Administration Office - Le Parc Office TowerMarkham8500 Leslie St., Suite 395L3T 7M8Ontario
Smiths Falls CourthouseSmiths Falls39 Chambers St. Rm 307K7A 4S9Ontario
Smooth Rock Falls CourthouseSmooth Rock Falls195 5th St.P0L 2B0Ontario
St. Catharines CourthouseSt. Catharines59 Church StreetL2R 7N8Ontario
Stratford (Perth County) CourthouseStratford1 Huron St.N5A 5S4Ontario
Stratford CourthouseStratford100 St. Patrick St.N5A 7W1Ontario
Sturgeon Falls CourthouseSturgeon Falls201 River Rd., Royal Canadian LegionP2B 1T4Ontario
Sudbury CourthouseSudbury201-159 Cedar StreetP3E 6A5Ontario
Sudbury CourthouseSudbury155 Elm StP3C 1T9Ontario
Summer Beaver CourthouseSummer BeaverSchoolP0T 3B0Ontario
Sundridge CourthouseSundridgeSundridge Strong and Joly Arena, 14 Albert St. N.P0A 1Z0Ontario
Thessalon CourthouseThessalon266 Main St, Community HallP0R 1L0Ontario
Thunder Bay CourthouseThunder Bay125 Brodie Street NorthP7C 0A3Ontario
Timmins CourthouseTimmins38 Pine Street N.P4N 6K6Ontario
Timmins CourthouseTimmins48 Spruce St. N.P4N 6M7Ontario
Walkerton (County of Bruce) CourthouseWalkerton207 Cayley St. PO Box 39N0G 2VOOntario
Walpole Island First Nation CourthouseWalpole IslandGovernance Building, 117 Tahgahoning RoadN8A 4K9Ontario
Wapekeka CourthouseWapekekaSchoolP0V 1B0Ontario
Waterloo Region CourthouseKitchener85 Frederick StreetN2H 0A7Ontario
Wawa CourthouseWawa40 Broadway Ave.P0S 1C2Ontario
Weagamow Lake CourthouseWeagamow LakeRecreational HallP0V 2Y0Ontario
Webequie CourthouseWebequieWebequie Band HallP0T 3A0Ontario
Welland CourthouseWelland102 East Main StreetL3B 3W6Ontario
Wikwemikong CourthouseWikwemikong2338 Wikwemikong Way Wikwemikong Recreation and Cultural CentreP0P 2J0Ontario
Windsor CourthouseWindsor200 Chatham St. E.N9A 2W3Ontario
Windsor CourthouseWindsor245 Windsor Ave.N9A 1J2Ontario
Woodstock (Oxford County) CourthouseWoodstock415 Hunter St.N4S 4G6Ontario
Wunnumin Lake CourthouseWunnumin LakeGymP0V 2Z0Ontario

View All Court Houses

Areas of Practice

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Assault involves wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering life without consent. As a serious indictable offence, it can lead to severe penalties, including up to 14 years in prison, with no option for discharge.

Aggravated Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault is any assault of a sexual nature and is a serious criminal offence in Canada. Aggravated Sexual Assault involves wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering life during the assault. Penalties can include life imprisonment, reflecting its severity.

Arson

There are numerous ways an individual can commit arson under the Criminal Code, and the penalties can be severe. Depending on level of damage and injury caused, one can face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Assault

Learn about the legal definitions, elements, and penalties for Aggravated Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, and other related offences in Toronto. Understand your rights and the potential consequences under Canadian law.

Assault by Threat or Unlawful Confinement

Uttering Threats under Section 264.1 of the Criminal Code involves knowingly threatening a person, their property, or pets. It is a hybrid offence with penalties up to 5 years in prison if proceeded by indictment, depending on the nature of the threats.

Assault Causing Bodily Harm

Assault Causing Bodily Harm is an offence where a person causes injuries to another without consent. It requires proof that the violence contributed to the harm. This hybrid offence can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison if indicted

Assault with a Weapon

Assault with a weapon is a more serious charge than “simple assault”, but is a very broadly defined type of offence. A person can be charged with assault with a weapon even if they did not actually strike the other person. Depending on the context in which it is used, any item can be considered a “weapon”.

Assaulting a Peace Officer

Assaulting a peace officer involves violence against law enforcement while they perform their duties. Defined under Section 270 of the Criminal Code, this hybrid offence can lead to severe penalties, especially if proceeded by indictment.

Bail Hearings

The first step after a person is charged with any offence is determining how they will be released pending the outcome of their case. People who have criminal records or are facing serious charges are often held for a bail hearing.

Bail Reviews

If a person is denied bail, they may bring a Bail Review. Bail Reviews require a review of the bail hearing proceedings and the legal and factual issues involved at the bail hearing. They require the preparation of specific materials that must be filed with the reviewing Court.

Breach of Probation

Failure to abide by the terms of your probation order can result in new, additional criminal charges. The penalties you can face for a breach of probation charge may be more serious than the original sentence you were serving.

Break & Enter

Breaking and entering is a very serious offence that has the potential to result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. “Home invasions” are a more serious category to this type of charge. A person can be charged with break & entering even if no items are stolen.

Careless Driving

Careless Driving is a quasi-criminal offence prosecuted under the Highway Traffic Act. What is considered careless driving is extremely broad, and the penalties can include fines, jail time, a driving suspension, the loss of demerit points, and increased insurance rates.

Charter Applications

Under Canadian laws, everyone is granted specific fundamental rights under The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If applicable to the case, potential Charter violations could result in the exclusion of important evidence or a stay of proceedings.

Child Pornography

Being accused of a child pornography offence can be both shocking and terrifying. Defendants with experienced criminal defence counsel, like those at Caramanna Friedberg, are best situated to control their legal jeopardy and limit the damage to their reputation.

Commodification of Sexual Activity

Commodification of Sexual Activity, under Section 286.1 of the Criminal Code, involves obtaining or negotiating sexual services for payment. It is a hybrid offence, with severe penalties if involving minors, including up to 10 years in prison and a minimum of 6 months if the person is under 18.

Conspiracy

It only takes agreement between two people to form a conspiracy, and police can charge you for one even if you never took any other steps to commit the alleged offence. It is important to have legal assistance and representation when facing a conspiracy charge, not just because of the relatively low evidentiary threshold the prosecution needs to meet in a conspiracy case, but also because conspiracy cases often involve complex and nuanced exceptions to normal evidentiary rules that can easily trip-up those unfamiliar with criminal law.

Coroner's Inquests

A Coroner’s Inquest is a public hearing that investigates the who, what, when, where and how of a person’s death. Depending on the circumstances of the person’s death, sometimes a Coroner’s inquest is mandatory.

Corporate Criminal Due Diligence

Because corporations can be found criminally liable for the actions of even relatively low-level employees, criminal and quasi-criminal liability is a significant legal and reputational risk for corporate entities. Getting the legal advice necessary to engage in active due diligence can help reduce this risk to a manageable level and ensure you have legal defences ready if employees go

Criminal Appeals

There are a myriad of reasons why a judicial decision requires the appellate review. It is open to both Crown and Defence to appeal a judge’s decision regarding the accused’s conviction and/or sentence.

Criminal Harassment

The type of behaviour that falls under the offence of Criminal Harassment ranges from repeated texts all the way to stalking or threatening. The potential penalties vary depending on the factual matrix and how aggravating the conduct was.

Criminal Interest Rate

Criminal interest rate, defined in Section 347 of the Criminal Code, involves charging or receiving interest exceeding sixty percent annually. As a hybrid offence, it can result in severe penalties, depending on whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction.

Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm

Criminal negligence causing bodily harm, defined under Section 219 of the Criminal Code, involves showing a reckless disregard for the safety of others, resulting in physical injury. It is a serious offence with significant legal consequences

Dangerous Offender Applications

A dangerous offender application by prosecutors can lead to the permanent loss of a defendant’s liberty. Defending against such an application requires both careful planning and the experience to navigate complex law and factual circumstances.

Dangerous Operation

Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle can result in serious jail time and mandatory minimum fines depending on whether how the Crown elects to prosecute. What is considered “dangerous” driving behaviour involves an assessment of many factors.

Dangerous operation of a Motor Vehicle

Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle involves driving in a manner dangerous to the public. If it causes bodily harm or death, charges escalate under Sections 320.13(2) and 320.13(3) of the Criminal Code. It is a hybrid offence with serious penalties.

Domestic Assault

Charges involving a “domestic” relationship are sometimes more complex and are often dealt with differently in the criminal Courts than an assault against a stranger or a bar fight, for example.

Driving While Prohibited

Driving while prohibited from doing so can attract charges under both the Criminal Code and the Highway Traffic Act. Regardless of the legislation, one is charged under, the penalties may include fines, jail time, driving prohibition orders, and insurance implications.

Drug Offences

Drug-related offences are among some of the more serious charges prosecuted in Canada and more often than not, involve Charter litigation of some sort. Possession, trafficking, production and importing are all types of drug offences that can come with serious long term consequences if convicted.

Environmental Prosecutions

Environmental laws seeking to prevent pollution and protect resources place a very strict and heavy onus on both individuals and businesses to comply with certain standards. Violations for these regulatory types of charges can result in very hefty fines and occasionally, jail time upon conviction.

Extradition

If a person is alleged to have committed a crime in another country, extradition laws may demand that the person be “delivered” by Canada to that country to face the charges. Extradition hearings and appeals are a critical part of that process.

Fail to Remain / Failure to Stop

Failing to remain or stop at the scene of an accident can result in charges under both the Criminal Code and the Highway Traffic Act. While the potential penalties can be serious, including mandatory minimum fines and/or jail time, there are various defences available which relate to the personal circumstances and knowledge of the accused.

Fingerprint Destruction

When a person is charged with an offence, part of the arrest procedure involves the police taking your fingerprints and photographs. If you are found not guilty or your charges are withdrawn, or you receive a non-conviction result, you can apply to have your fingerprints and photographs taken upon arrest destroyed, sometimes after a specific period of time.

Firearm Use and Modification

Using a firearm in the commission of an offence, pointing a firearm, and tampering with a firearm's serial number are serious offences under Sections 85, 87, and 108 of the Criminal Code. These offences can result in significant penalties, including up to 14 years in prison.

Fraud

Fraud encompasses a very broad spectrum of criminal activity under Canadian criminal law and can carry severe penalties, depending on the type of fraud and level of sophistication alleged. Findings of guilt for these types of offences also have serious implications on a person’s future including employment.

Highway Traffic Act Offences

The Highway Traffic Act are regulatory offences that can come with severe penalties such as hefty fines or even jail time. Convictions for most of these offences will often also effect a person’s vehicle insurance and ability to drive.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking offences are very serious charges that relate to recruiting or controlling the movement of people for explorative purposes. These charges are most commonly seen alongside (relatively) less-serious charges around the commodification of sexual services in relation to conduct colloquially known as “pimping.”

Identity Theft

The offence of Identity Theft targets certain conduct taken to prepare for various offences involving fraud, deceit, or falsehood. If police, rightly or wrongly, think you are collecting certain information for that criminal purpose you can be charged with Identity Theft without ever committing, or even attempting, any other crime.

Immigration Prosecutions

Offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act can have very serious consequences.

Impaired Driving (DUI)

Impaired driving offences in Ontario are a criminal category of driving offences that are very strictly prosecuted and are subject to mandatory minimum penalties. These offences can involve more than what people think of as “drunk driving”.

Importing

Importing is one of the most serious category of offences under Canadian criminal and regulatory laws. Importing drugs is a common category of this offence. However, a person can also be charged with other “contraband” substances or items without appropriate licences and compliance with Canadian importing regulations.

Incest

Incest, defined under Section 155 of the Criminal Code, involves sexual intercourse with a blood relative, with knowledge of the relationship. It is a straight indictable offence with a maximum penalty of 14 years and a minimum of 5 years if the other person is under 16.

Internet Related Charges

The widespread use of the internet in our society has expanded the types of offences people can face under this category. From “cyber-bullying” to criminal harassment to possession or transmission of child pornography, crimes involving the investigation or use of the internet can turn simple matters into extremely complex cases involving Charter litigation and privacy laws.

Invitation to Sexual Touching

Invitation to sexual touching, under Section 152 of the Criminal Code, involves inviting or inciting a minor under 16 to touch for sexual purposes. This hybrid offence can result in severe penalties, depending on whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction.

License Suspensions

A driver’s licence suspension can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Whether facing criminal charges are not, there are various reasons why one’s licence may be suspended, and the length of the suspension will depend on a number of factors.

Mischief

Mischief encompasses a broad spectrum of activity under the Criminal Code, and the penalties vary significantly depending on the type of mischief and the complexity of the matter.

Mischief and Data

Mischief in relation to computer data, under Section 430(1.1) of the Criminal Code, involves damaging, obstructing, or interfering with computer data. This offence can be a hybrid or indictable offence, with penalties varying up to life imprisonment if it causes danger to life.

Murder / Culpable Homicide

Murder is the most serious crime a person can be charged with in this country. The amount of proof regarding the “planning” and “deliberation” of the murder is a key consideration for whether a person will be charged with first degree, second degree or manslaughter.

Obstruction of Justice

The criminal justice system takes charges of Obstruction of Justice and Obstruction of Police very seriously. It is important to obtain legal representation that takes your case just as seriously, and has the expertise to navigate the nuances of these broadly constructed prohibitions

Pardons

If a person has been found guilty of any criminal offence, they may be eligible to apply for what is now called a Record Suspension after a certain period of time. The types of charges, the sentences the person received and the dates they were sentenced are all key factors in determining whether a person would qualify or not.

Parole Hearings

Parole Hearings are unique proceedings at the post-conviction stage. There are numerous federal statues, including the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, that guide the Parole Board of Canada when it comes to assessing parole eligibility.

Peace Bonds

A peace bond is a court order issued by a judge. It is an agreement entered into whereby a person promises to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, in addition to other potential conditions, for a specific period of time. A peace bond does not require an individual to plead guilty or admit fault. You can either enter into a peace bond as an accused, or apply to obtain a peace bond against someone else.

Possession

The law defines possession very broadly based on “knowledge, consent and control”. That is why a person can be charged with possession of illicit drugs or a weapon for simply being in the same place where the item was found.

Possession of Stolen Property

Possession of Stolen Property, as defined under Section 354 of the Criminal Code, involves possessing items known or suspected to be stolen. This hybrid offence can lead to severe penalties, depending on whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction.

Possession Offences

Possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, carrying a concealed weapon, and unauthorized firearm possession, under Sections 88, 90, 92, and 95 of the Criminal Code, are serious offences. These hybrid and indictable offences carry penalties up to 14 years in prison, depending on the charge and election.

Production

Regardless of how large or small the quantity of drugs, you can face jail time and other penalties for growing marijuana or producing other controlled substances. The severity of the punishment will depend on many factors, including the Accused prior history, the type of drug and the amount of drugs involved.

Professional Disciplinary Proceedings

Doctors, nurses, teachers and lawyers are a few examples of professionals who are governed by regulatory bodies that impose rules and bylaws that must be followed by their profession. Any rule-breaking can result in the person facing disciplinary sanctions that could impact whether or not they are allowed to continue working in that field.

Professional Regulation

Doctors, nurses, teachers and lawyers are a few examples of professionals who are governed by regulatory bodies that impose rules and bylaws that must be followed by their profession. Any rule-breaking can result in the person facing disciplinary sanctions that could impact whether or not they are allowed to continue working in that field.

Prohibition Violations

Breaching a prohibition order under Section 117.01 of the Criminal Code involves possessing a firearm or weapon despite being prohibited by an order. As a hybrid offence, it can lead to significant penalties, with a maximum of 10 years in prison if proceeded by indictment.

Quasi-Criminal Prosecutions

There are many federal and provincial laws in addition to the criminal offences under the Criminal Code and Controlled Substances Act that result in penalties that can be as severe as the ones found in criminal law. Convictions for these “quasi-criminal” offences can include hefty fines and even jail time.

Robbery

Robbery often involves the use or threat of force while stealing or attempting to steal property. For example, a person can be charged with robbery for demanding another person’s phone or wallet, even if there is no weapon involved.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault and other sex-related offences are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face. If convicted, these charges have serious penalties that include the potential for stigmatization and jeopardizing future job prospects.

Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation, defined under Section 153 of the Criminal Code, involves sexual activity by a person in authority with a young person, even with apparent consent. As a hybrid offence, it can result in significant penalties depending on how the Crown proceeds.

Sexual Interference

Sexual interference, defined under Section 151 of the Criminal Code, involves touching a child with the intent of sexual interaction. This hybrid offence can lead to serious penalties, with the severity depending on whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction.

Shoplifting

Shoplifting, defined under Section 322 of the Criminal Code, involves stealing items from a merchant. It is a hybrid offence categorized as Theft Under or Over $5,000, with potential penalties ranging from fines to up to 10 years in prison, depending on the item's value and how the Crown proceeds.

Tax Prosecutions

Tax evasion and falsifying or filing misleading information in tax returns can result in criminal or quasi-criminal charges with severe penalties including hefty fines and sometimes even jail time. This is a complex category of offences involving overlapping areas of law and multiple statutes.

Theft

Theft is a broad category of property-related offences that can come with severe penalties depending on the circumstances. From a simple shop-lifting type of charge to large-scale “white-collar” fraud schemes, a conviction for theft can have serious long-term consequences for a person found guilty of this offence.

Theft Over $5000

Theft over $5000, defined under Section 322 of the Criminal Code, involves unlawfully taking property valued over $5000. This is a straight indictable offence with severe consequences, including a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.

Theft Under $5000

Theft under $5000, as defined in Section 322 of the Criminal Code, involves unlawfully taking property valued below $5000. It is a hybrid offence, meaning the Crown can proceed by indictment or summary conviction, affecting the severity of the penalties.

Trafficking

Drug Trafficking cases should be taken very seriously. In addition to imprisonment, a conviction for this offence can have significant consequences on one’s life and liberty. It is imperative to have an experienced defence lawyer to represent you if you are charged.

Trafficking & Smuggling

Weapons trafficking, making automatic firearms, and unauthorized import/export are serious offences under Sections 99, 102, and 103 of the Criminal Code. These crimes carry penalties ranging from 1 year to 14 years in prison, depending on the offence and whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction.

Uttering Threats

There are numerous ways to commit the offence of uttering threats, and the potential punishment will depend on how the threat was made and any collateral consequences to the threat. An assessment of whether something amounts to a “threat” is highly contextual.

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is the offence of secretly watching or recording someone in certain private circumstances or for a sexual purpose. It is also illegal to share voyeuristic recordings or possess them for the purpose of sharing them. Voyeurism captures a wide array of conduct and the defences available to it are legally and factually nuanced.

Weapons Offences

Weapons-related offences are also among some of the more serious charges prosecuted in Canada. The specific use of any item, depending on the context, can lead to allegations involving “weapons”.

Youth Criminal Justice Act

The Canadian criminal justice system allows youth to be treated differently from adults in most situations when they are charged with a criminal offence. If a person is between the ages of 12 and 17 and are charged with a criminal offence, the prosecution of the case must follow the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

* Practicing in association, but not partnership with Caramanna, Friedberg LLP

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