Frequently Asked Questions

CRIMINAL CHARGES

Q: If I have a criminal charge, do I need to speak to a Lawyer?

A: Yes, you absolutely should. It is impossible to properly counsel someone on how do deal with a Criminal charge without providing legal advice. Many charges, such as Impaired/Over 80 have very complicated technical defences that require the investigation and legal opinion of a qualified Lawyer. Our initial consultation is always free, so you have nothing to lose in at least talking to us.

Q: If I have a criminal charge, do I need to attend Court?

A: Usually yes. While there are provisions for us to make certain appearances without you, you will need to be present for any plea or trial and it is preferable that you attend all Court dates if at all possible.

Q: Is there a danger of going to jail if convicted of a Criminal Driving Offence?

A: Yes, there can be. In fact some Provincial Offence matters can also result in jail. While the vast majority of first time offences are unlikely to result in custody, it is critical that you seek legal advice because many other ramifications flow from a conviction.

Q: I have an Impaired charge and intend to plead guilty on my own, is this O.K.?

A: We wish you wouldn’t. We provide a free consultation and would prefer that you at least talked to us first. Many people feel that they wouldn’t have been charged if they weren’t guilty and therefore should own up to the charge. The ramifications of any guilty plea in Criminal Court can be both significant and long lasting and should not be taken lightly. It is a lot easier and a lot less expensive to handle the matter correctly from the beginning rather than trying to undo the damage later.

TRAFFIC TICKETS

Q: Why should I hire you?

A: We employ both Lawyers & Paralegals, and this unique combination provides you with the highest level of professionalism and experience + the cost savings advantage of using a paralegal where suitable. We are a real Law Firm and all of our paralegals are supervised by, and have direct access to, experienced trial Lawyers at no additional charge to the client. In hiring us, you are getting the services of a Law Firm run by a Lawyer with approximately 20 years of experience both prosecuting and defending Criminal & H.T.A. charges, but at a fee comparable with a paralegal traffic ticket defence company. We can’t imagine why you would even think of going anywhere else.

Q: Do you always win?

A: No, and don’t believe anyone who tells you that they do. While it is true that the vast majority of charges can either be defended entirely or reduced to a lesser charge, no-one wins all the time. If it sounds like a slick marketing gimmick, rest assured that it is. Training and experience are the most realistic predictors of success. We don’t think that there is anyone out there who is more qualified than we are and we are also equally confident that our fees match up very favourably with any traffic ticket defence company in the Province.

Q: I can’t afford to pay the ticket, can I afford your services?

A: Probably not. Ours fees will likely be close to or will exceed the fine amount on the face of the ticket. However, the primary reasons cited by clients for utilizing our services are to save demerit points, or a driver’s license, or to seek relief from potentially crippling insurance increases. The general expectation is that the long term gains of properly defending the charge will dramatically outweigh the short term expense of our fees.

Q: If I have a traffic ticket, do I need to attend Court?

A: Usually not. Most clients are looking for a withdrawal of the charge or a plea to a lesser charge, either of which can be achieved in the right circumstances without the Defendant appearing. If you choose the ‘trial only’ option then a decision will be made after we have heard whether or not you have evidence to offer that might afford you with a defence.