Toronto Criminal Lawyers
Fight Your Charges with Pyzer Criminal Lawyers
The stakes are high if you are charged with a criminal offense. You need a team of battle-proven, experienced criminal defense lawyers who can navigate the complexities of the justice system, thoroughly analyze the details of your case, and craft a strategic defense so that you can obtain the best result available.
Our team of experienced defense lawyers have years of experience defending criminal cases of all sizes in Toronto and Ontario.
Our Toronto Criminal Lawyers
Simple Assault
Assault With a Weapon
Forcible Confinement and Kidnapping
Invitation to Sexual Touching
Impaired Driving
Dangerous Driving
Break and Enter
Robbery with a Firearm
Possession of Stolen Property
First-Degree Murder
Drug Possession
Drug Distribution
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Bail Hearings
Domestic Assault
Criminal Harassment
Sexual Assault
Driving Over 80
Voyeurism
Drug-Related DUI
Armed Robbery
Theft
Fraud
Second-Degree Murder
Drug Importing
Drug Trafficking
Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Aggravated Assault
Uttering Threats
Sexual Interference
Intimate Images
Refusing a Breath Sample
Failure to Stop
Robbery with Violence
Credit Card Possession
Identity Theft
Manslaughter
Drug Production
Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
Firearm Trafficking
Criminal Lawyers with a Winning Record
What you can always expect from us
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Criminal Lawyer FAQ
A criminal lawyer represents individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses. In fact, over 90% of criminal cases in Toronto are represented by a criminal lawyer. Their primary roles include advising clients about their legal rights, guiding them through the legal process, and representing them in court.
They meticulously review case evidence, negotiate with the prosecution, and develop a strategy to achieve the best possible outcomes. This can involve challenging the prosecution's evidence, questioning the legality of law enforcement procedures, and presenting a persuasive defense on behalf of their client.
Additionally, they handle bail hearings, trials, plea bargains, and appeals as necessary. They also stay updated with changes in laws and legal precedents to offer accurate and effective representation.
To find a good criminal lawyer, consider the following factors:
- Experience and Track Record: Ensure the lawyer you want to hire has considerable experience with your specific type of case. Review their track record, including the outcomes of previous cases similar to yours. Don't hesitate to ask the law firm about their success rate with cases similar to yours.
- Reviews: Go through online reviews and testimonials for a balanced understanding of the law firm's reputation. Both positive and negative reviews can provide valuable insights.
- Initial Consultation: Most lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Use this opportunity to gauge their understanding of your case and their proposed strategy, and to see if you feel comfortable with them.
- Credentials and Affiliations: Check their credentials, including academic qualifications and memberships of professional organizations such as the Law Society of Ontario or the Criminal Lawyers' Association.
- Courtroom Experience: Find out how much trial experience they have. Even if you plan on settling, a lawyer with robust courtroom experience can be invaluable.
- Communication: They should clearly explain your legal options and the potential outcomes and keep you informed about the progress of your case.
Some Toronto criminal lawyers charge by the hour while other criminal lawyers charge a block fee for their services. Lawyers that charge by the hour docket every minute that is spent on a case including travel time, phone conversations, interviews, court appearances etc.. The client is then billed for each minute of time that the lawyer has devoted to the matter. The preparation needed for a criminal law file in Canada can be quite a significant amount of time as the lawyers review all available evidence and conduct legal research.
A criminal lawyer that charges by way of a block fee, advises their clients in advance what the total costs of their case will be. All services performed by the lawyer are included in the block fee. Usually disbursements such as photocopies, mileage, process servers etc. are charged in addition to the lawyers fee, whether charged hourly or on a block basis.
Depending on the case, block fees are generally most common in Toronto criminal cases. In our experience, our clients prefer this approach as we will devote all time necessary to a proper legal defence without having to worry about accounting for every minute spent working on the case
We understand that facing criminal charges can be a daunting experience. However, you should reframe what you consider a “win” in your particular case. A withdrawal of all criminal charges? An acquittal? Avoiding jail time? The lawyers at our criminal law practice will provide you with the right advice and ensure that your case is approached with the utmost diligence and commitment. We have experienced counsel who have helped clients with all types of charges find the best possible outcome to their case.
Approximately 25% of criminal trials in Toronto result in an acquittal. Having your charges withdrawn is usually the best result you can achieve in a criminal case, as there will be no admissions of guilt and no risk of being found guilty at trial. Even if you have a 99% chance of winning your case, which is quite rare in our experience, there is still a 1% chance of losing and, with it, the added cost of time and legal fees.
On average, it takes around 9 months from the date of arrest to the resolution of a criminal case in Toronto. A criminal case can be resolved in a single day or could take many years to conclude. The length of time a case will take depends on many factors, including the seriousness of the charge(s), the number of charges, whether you are charged alone or with a co-accused, the number of legal issues in issue as well as the number of witnesses that will be required to testify at a trial.
In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada held in R. v. Jordan that “there is a ceiling beyond which delay in a case becomes unreasonable. The presumptive ceiling is 18 months for criminal cases tried in provincial court and 30 months for cases in the superior court (or cases tried in the provincial court after a preliminary inquiry).”
Our team of Toronto criminal lawyers understand how important an expeditious resolution of criminal charges can be. That’s why your lawyer will take every opportunity to move your file along to ensure the presumptive ceilings are met.
Some Toronto criminal lawyers charge by the hour, while others charge a block fee for their services. Lawyers who charge by the hour docket every minute that is spent on a case, including travel time, phone conversations, interviews, court appearances, etc. You will, therefore, be billed for each minute of time that the lawyer has devoted to your matter. The preparation needed for a criminal law file in Canada can be quite a significant amount of time as the lawyers review all available evidence and conduct thorough legal research.
A criminal lawyer who charges by way of a block fee will advise you in advance what the total costs of your case will be. All services performed by the lawyer are included in the block fee. Usually, disbursements such as photocopies, mileage, process servers etc. are charged in addition to the lawyer’s fee, whether charged hourly or on a block basis.
Depending on the case, block fees are generally most common in criminal cases. In our experience, our clients prefer this approach as we will devote all necessary time to a proper legal defense without worrying about accounting for every minute spent working on the case.
At Pyzer Criminal Lawyers (TorontoDefenceLawyers.com), our initial free consultation lasts approximately 30 minutes. This time is spent reviewing the charge(s) and allegation(s) against you with one of our lawyers, explaining how the criminal court process works and what to expect as your criminal case moves through the system. We know that facing criminal law matters can be overwhelming. That's why our practice is here to provide clear, understandable guidance every step of the way, ensuring you are never left in the dark.
We can assist by identifying the potential legal issues in your case and, finally, assist in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Crown’s case, suggest some ways in which the charge(s) against you may be successfully defended and finally, answer any questions that you may have about your case or the process as a whole. Our experience in the practice of criminal law means that after your consultation, you will have a solid understanding of what our lawyers can do for you.
Yes, a Toronto criminal lawyer can assist you in changing the conditions of your criminal law bail. This can be done in one of two ways: on consent of the Crown or by way of a Superior Court Bail Review Application. A consent bail variation is done by having one of the lawyers in our practice file paperwork of the proposed changes with the court, on the consent of the Crown.
A Superior Court Bail Review is a criminal law hearing and resembles a criminal trial in that the Crown and Defense are opposed on the conditions of bail, and a judge must decide after hearing the evidence and submissions of counsel as to whether the bail should be changed. The lawyers in our practice have experience representing clients at these hearings.
Factors that will impact your request for a bail variation include the seriousness of the charge(s) and the allegation(s) that you are facing, whether you represent a danger to a specific complainant or to the community at large, whether you have a criminal record, including breaches of previous orders, whether the complainant(s) wish to have contact with you, and whether you have sufficient surety in place to ensure compliance with the varied terms of bail. Our lawyers will work with you to ensure your bail review case is properly presented. Individuals retaining our firm’s services can rest assured that they are receiving advice from competent and experienced counsel.
In Ontario, your first court appearance will be very brief, usually lasting only a few minutes. The lawyer assigned to your case will be there with you if you retain our firm to help you during this appearance. Many individuals, possibly even hundreds, will be appearing in Court at the same time as you about their criminal charges. Your first appearance is not a criminal trial. It is not before a judge, you will not be asked to plead guilty or not guilty, and the alleged victim(s) will not be in attendance.
The process is as follows: The accused (you) steps forward once the Crown calls their name from the docket. The court then inquires whether the accused has a Toronto criminal lawyer, disclosure (the evidence the Crown intends to rely on to prove your guilt) is provided, and the case is typically remanded three to four weeks so that the accused may consult with an attorney, review disclosure, and conduct a Crown Pre-Trial. The criminal justice system can be very confusing for people, so our lawyers are there to be skilled advocates in your case.
While it is not necessary to have a criminal attorney at your first appearance, or even at any point in the proceedings, it is highly encouraged that counsel be retained well in advance of the first appearance to ensure disclosure requests are made and the matter handled properly right from the beginning. Our lawyers will ensure all the appropriate steps are taken so our clients receive the best results in their case.
Just because you have been charged with a criminal offense does not mean you will automatically have a criminal record. It is still possible to avoid a criminal record and/or a finding of guilt by having one of our lawyers represent you in your case. Our clients receive the best possible legal representation in order to mitigate any impact of a criminal charge on your life.
A withdrawal by the Crown Attorney’s office is not considered a criminal record and is, therefore, one way to avoid a criminal record once the police have charged you. An acquittal after a trial is another way to avoid a criminal record once you have been charged. Finally, a stay of proceedings is not a criminal record and is tantamount to an acquittal twelve months following the date on which the charges were stayed. Our lawyers will work with you to explore the various outcomes and results that may occur in your case.
Jail is a possibility when facing any criminal charge. However, jail is the sanction of last resort, and judges are instructed to consider all other forms of punishment prior to sentencing an accused to a term of imprisonment. Our lawyers can advise you on whether prison is a possibility in your case.
Factors that will determine the sentence that you could potentially receive, including the potential for jail, include the seriousness of the charge(s) and the allegation(s) you are facing, whether the victim(s) suffered any lasting physical, financial or emotional life impact as a result of the offense, whether you have a previous criminal record/police involvement and if so, if it is was for a similar offense, whether you have received jail sentences in the past, the need for general and specific deterrence, as well as your prospects for rehabilitation and your support in the community.
Our lawyers understand the devastating impact that a prison sentence can have on your life. Our advocacy is focused on ensuring our clients receive the strongest legal defense, so that this outcome can be avoided at all costs. People trust Pyzer Criminal Lawyers with even the most complex criminal charges. We welcome you to contact us today to learn about how we can help.