Searching for an Oakville Criminal Lawyer? Read This!

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence in the Halton or Mississauga Region, chances are, you are looking for a criminal defence lawyer, including an Oakville Criminal Lawyer.  In this blogpost, I provide some helpful tips and answers to commonly asked questions that may assist you in your search.

What does a Oakville Criminal Lawyer do?

A criminal defence lawyer, including an Oakville Criminal Lawyer, is a legal professional who specializes in representing individuals or organizations accused of criminal offenses. Their primary role is to provide legal representation and guidance to their clients throughout the criminal justice process.

Here are some of the key responsibilities of an Oakville Criminal Lawyer:

1. Reviewing the case: The lawyer will carefully review the charges against their client and the evidence the prosecution plans to present in court. They will use this information to develop a legal strategy to defend their client.
2. Conducting investigations: The lawyer may conduct their own investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime to gather additional evidence and witness statements.
3. Advising their client: The lawyer will advise their client on the legal process, their rights, and the potential consequences of their actions.
4. Negotiating plea deals: If appropriate, the lawyer may negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution that reduces the charges or penalties in exchange for a guilty plea.
5. Representing their client in court: The lawyer will represent their client in court, presenting arguments and evidence in their defense and cross-examining prosecution witnesses.
6. Appealing the verdict: If their client is found guilty, the lawyer may appeal the verdict and seek a new trial or a reduced sentence.

Overall, the role of a criminal defence lawyer is to ensure that their client receives a fair trial and a just outcome. They work tirelessly to protect their client’s rights and freedoms and to defend them against criminal charges.

Where does an Oakville Criminal Lawyer work?

Criminal Lawyers usually are found in an office space and a criminal courthouse.   There are two main courthouses which Oakville Criminal Lawyers will operate in:

• The Milton Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice, located at 491 Steeles Ave. E
• The Brampton Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice, located at 7755 Hurontario St

What types of cases does an Oakville Criminal Lawyer take on?

There are many different criminal offenses in Canada that an Oakville Criminal Lawyer may take one, ranging from relatively minor offenses to more serious crimes. Here are some examples of criminal offenses in Canada:

1. Assault: This involves intentionally causing someone to fear for their safety or causing them bodily harm.
2. Theft: This involves taking someone else’s property without their consent.
3. Fraud: This involves deceiving someone in order to gain something, such as money or property.
4. Drug offenses: This includes possessing, trafficking, or manufacturing illegal drugs.
5. Sexual offenses: This includes sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and other forms of sexual misconduct.
6. Homicide: This includes murder, manslaughter, and other forms of unlawful killing.
7. Robbery: This involves using force or threats to take someone else’s property.
8. Weapons offenses: This includes possessing, carrying, or using weapons that are prohibited by law.
9. Impaired driving: This involves operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
10. Hate crimes: This involves committing a crime against someone based on their race, religion, or other personal characteristics.

How much does an Oakville Criminal Lawyer cost?

As a starting, general rule, an Oakville Criminal Lawyer’s fees are determined by the particular lawyer him/herself. There are no “set” fees that a criminal lawyer has to charge. The only restriction on their billing is that their fees must be reasonable in the circumstances.

An Oakville Criminal Lawyer may bill either by way of an hourly rate or block fee. Hourly rates will involve the lawyer specifying their hourly cost, whereby a block fee billing structure would involve the lawyer specifying a flat fee for a case, or particular aspects / steps in a case.

How to find an affordable Oakville Criminal Lawyer?

The following are some critical tips that I would recommend following when trying to retain an Oakville Criminal Lawyer who may be affordable for you:

• Determine if the Oakville Criminal Lawyer offers payment plans, which can ease the burden of a large, lump sum retainer.
• Locate an Oakville Criminal Lawyer who is willing to offer a “reduced” rather than full retainer.  Some lawyers require the entire amount up front before beginning work. Others may require only a fraction of the overall amount, and will allow you to pay the balance by way of installments.
• Locate an Oakville Criminal Lawyer who takes into account your financial situation when assessing what fees should be.
• Locate an Oakville Criminal Lawyer who may take your case on a limited scope basis, which is the process by which you retain a lawyer for only a “part” of a case, not the entire thing.  This can save you money if you feel you only need assistance with a certain aspect of the case, such as providing a legal opinion on whether you may have legal defences to the charges you are facing.

What happens at a first appearance for an Oakville Criminal Case?

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence in Oakville, you may be wondering what happens at a first appearance in criminal court (which begins in the Ontario Court of Justice).  You should clarify your questions with an Oakville Criminal Lawyer if they are complex, but here is a general rundown on what happens.

In Canada, a first appearance in criminal court is an initial court appearance that typically occurs within a few weeks of an individual being charged with a criminal offense. The following is expected to occur:

1. Appearance before a justice of the peace or judge: The accused appears before a judge in court, either in person or by Zoom.  If you fail to appear, you may be charged with a further crime of Failure to Attend Court.
2. Disclosure of evidence: The Crown prosecutor is required to disclose all evidence related to the case to the accused, including witness statements, police reports, and any other relevant evidence.  Post-COVID, this commonly happens prior to a first appearance by way of electronic disclosure being sent to the accused person if they ask for it. If you attend in person, you should receive a hard copy of your disclosure, which you’d be well advised to review with a Criminal Lawyer.
3. Administrative appearance: The judge or justice of the peace will inquire whether you have hired, or intend to hire, a Criminal Lawyer, and whether you’ve received disclosure. The judge sets a date for the next court appearance, which may be anywhere from 2-6 weeks after the first one.

Andrew Captan – Oakville Criminal Lawyer

If you’re looking for an experienced Oakville Criminal Lawyer, you can reach out to me for a free consultation at (647) 878 – 6355, at andrew@captanlaw.com or by visiting my website HERE.