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CRIMINAL DEFENCE IN TORONTO

Criminal Lawyer Toronto

Toronto runs criminal matters out of several courthouses, and which one your case is in depends on where in the city the charge was laid. Matters are attended across all of them, in both levels of court.

THE COURT

Criminal defence across the Toronto courthouses

The Ontario Court of Justice sits at Old City Hall, College Park, Toronto North on Finch Avenue West and in Scarborough on Eglinton Avenue East. Superior Court criminal matters are heard downtown, including at 10 Armoury Street.

The division of the city between those courthouses is geographic, and it is set by where the offence is alleged to have occurred. Each has its own Crown office, its own list practices and its own rhythm, and none of them can be worked effectively by someone who only appears there occasionally.

Toronto also concentrates the more complex prosecutions: project drug and firearms cases, wiretap matters, and large fraud files. Those are disclosure heavy files where the work is done in reading, in Charter litigation, and in the pre trial process rather than in courtroom theatre.

Superior Court matters

On indictable offences there is an election, and Superior Court proceedings may involve a preliminary inquiry, pre trial applications and a trial before a judge alone or a judge and jury. Those matters require planning from the first appearance rather than from the trial date.

Consultations

Consultations for Toronto matters run by phone or video, or in person at the Oshawa office. Attendance in Toronto is in person on the dates that matter.

THE PROCESS

What happens after you are charged

The sequence is broadly the same wherever you were charged. Knowing it in advance takes a great deal of the fear out of it.

Release or a bail hearing. You are either released by police with conditions, or held for a hearing. On serious allegations, and on most domestic matters, expect a hearing.
First appearance. The date is on your release paperwork. Nothing is decided that day. Counsel can ordinarily attend in your place, and disclosure is requested.
Disclosure review. The Crown provides its evidence. This is where the case is genuinely assessed, and where the arguable issues are found.
Crown resolution discussions. A large proportion of matters end here, through withdrawal, diversion, a peace bond or a negotiated position.
Trial, if it is required. Judge alone in the Ontario Court of Justice, or judge alone or judge and jury in the Superior Court on an election.
You do not need to live here

Your matter is heard where the charge was laid, not where you live. Clients across Ontario are represented at the Toronto courthouses, with consultations by phone or video and attendance in person on the days it matters.

One lawyer on the file

Kashif Alam appears on your matter personally. Your file is not passed to a junior or covered by an agent who has not read it.

Fees and Legal Aid

Flat fees quoted before the work begins, payment plans available, and Legal Aid Ontario certificates accepted.

QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKED

Frequently asked questions

Do you appear at the Toronto courthouses?
Yes. Matters at the Toronto courthouses are attended personally, and consultations can be arranged by phone or video before the first appearance.
I live somewhere else but was charged in Toronto. Can you help?
Yes. A charge is prosecuted where it was laid. Being represented at the Toronto courthouses does not require you to live nearby.
Do I have to attend my first appearance in person?
Usually not. Counsel can ordinarily appear on your behalf for routine appearances, which spares you a day of work and a long drive.
What is the first thing I should do?
Say nothing further to police, read your release conditions carefully, and call before your first appearance rather than after it.
Do you accept Legal Aid for matters in Toronto?
Yes. Legal Aid Ontario certificates are accepted, and flat fees with payment plans are available where you do not qualify.
SPEAK WITH COUNSEL

Charged in Toronto? Let us talk about it.

The first consultation is free and confidential. You will get a direct assessment of the charge, the process ahead, and what it will cost. Flat fees, payment plans and Legal Aid certificates are all accepted.

647.721.5150REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Available evenings and weekends. Reachable at any hour for an arrest in progress.

Request a Free Confidential Consultation

Speak directly with Kashif Alam. Your information remains strictly confidential under solicitor-client privilege.