Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer
If you are looking for a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer, you’re in the right place. This brief article will shed light on some of the main questions you might be thinking about if this is the first time you’ve been charged.
Court Location for Richmond Hill Charges
If you’re charged in Richmond Hill with a crime, you will be required to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket — 50 Eagle Street West.
Cost of a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer
The cost of retaining a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer will vary. There is no “set” fee that lawyers charge for representing people charged with crimes.
Hourly rates can range from $300 – $1,000 plus HST, depending on the seniority and experience of the particular lawyer.
By contrast, some Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyers will bill on a flat fee basis, which means that the fees are determined up front rather than on an hourly rate. This creates more certainty in what you have to pay.
What if I Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you can’t afford a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer, you may qualify for Legal Aid. To qualify, you have to meet both their financial and legal criteria. The financial criteria requires you to earn less than a certain amount per year, and the legal criteria requires you to be facing the risk of Jail. To contact Legal Aid, you can visit their website HERE and commence an application.
How Long Will My Case Take
A criminal case at the Newmarket Court will vary in length, and will depend on factors such as:
- Whether you proceed to trial or not
- The complexity of the case as far as evidence goes
- The seriousness of the allegations
- The number of witnesses
- Whether any special types of applications are required
As a general guideline, cases that do not proceed to trial can be resolved in abut 3-7 months, and cases that do proceed to trial are usually in the system for over 12 months.
A Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer can assess your case at an initial consultation and provide you a more specific estimate.
How Long Do My Release Conditions Last
When you were charged by police, you were likely either released on an Undertaking to appear in court or released on bail by a judge. In either scenario, you may be required to follow certain conditions during your case. It is often assumed that these conditions will be removed at the first appearance in court, which is far from the truth. Instead, your conditions will remain in effect until your case is complete or you succeed in “varying” them by way of a court order or Crown agreement. If your conditions are overly strict, consult a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer to see if there may be avenues to have them amended.
Qualities to Look for in a Defence Lawyer in Richmond Hill
The following are suggestions of qualities to look for in a Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer:
- The lawyer has significant experience in criminal law
- The lawyer practices primarily in criminal law, rather than having it as a secondary practice
- The lawyer has positive reviews online
- The lawyer’s personality, and gleaned in the first meeting, is the type that fits with yours
- The lawyer advises you on a general strategy on how to defend the type of case you have
Contact Andrew Captan today for a free case review. Mr. Captan is a seasoned criminal law veteran with over 13 years of experience solely in criminal law. Call (647) 878 – 6355 or e-mail andrew@captanlaw.com
