Being charged with a criminal offence can mean a stressful time for you and your loved ones. As I help you with the situation, my promise is an effective defence.

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How much will it cost?

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As every case is different, I will discuss costs specific to your case at our initial consultation. However, to give a 'rough idea', here is what I charge for the most common types of cases I take on:

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For straightforward cases that proceed in the Ontario Court of Justice (which is most cases overall), I charge a block fee of $10,000 plus HST to run the trial, for a total of $11,300. This is to be paid in two instalments, with $5,650 due when you first retain me, and the second $5,650 due before I set a trial date. In the event the case does not get scheduled for trial (for any reason), you don't need to pay the second instalment. My fees are not negotiable and I don't do payment plans.

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For sexual assault cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, I charge $13,000 plus HST (total $14,690).

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For most cases that proceed in the Superior Court of Justice, I charge a block fee of $25,000 plus HST, for a total of $28,250. This is due in 5 instalments of $5,650 over the course of the case, which commonly takes 2-3 years.

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For most Summary Conviction appeals, I will charge $10,000 plus HST (total $11,300), plus the cost of transcripts. If the original trial was unusually lengthy or complicated, it will cost more.

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For most Appeals to the Ontario Court of Appeal, I will charge $15,000 plus HST (total $16,950), plus the cost of transcripts. If the original trial was unusually lengthy or complicated, it will cost more.

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Approximately 10% of the cases I take don't 'fit' in one of the categories above. These are generally the most serious or legally complex cases.

 

I will confirm what I will charge at our initial consultation upon review of the allegations against you, and put it in writing in our retainer agreement when you hire me. The above numbers reflect my fees to help you with defending your case. While I do my best to keep pricing transparent, there are some things that can come up that cost extra (most commonly if we want to retain an expert witness). I will always get your authorization in advance before incurring any additional fees on your behalf.

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Do you take Legal Aid?

I take some clients who are funded by Legal Aid at any given time.

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What do you have to do?

 

If you retain me as your lawyer, I can handle most of your case for you. However, there are a few decisions that are up to you, and it's important that you decide for yourself. In particular, you must decide whether to plead guilty or not. Furthermore, if your matter goes to trial, you must decide whether you wish to testify at your trial. As your lawyer, I can provide advice on these questions, but the ultimate decision is yours.

 

If you retain me, I will have you sign a form, called a Designation of Counsel. This form will allow me to attend court on your behalf, so you don't have to worry about going for every routine appearance. However, if you decide to plead guilty, you must attend court when you do so. You also must attend court, of course, for your trial date(s).

The Criminal Justice Process:

 

The justice system can seem incomprehensible if it's your first time navigating it.​ Here are some of the steps involved:

 

The First Appearances

At your first appearance (or at your lawyer's appearance on your behalf), you will usually receive an initial disclosure package. This includes some of the documents that the Crown will rely on when trying to prove its case against you. The next appearances are usually required to complete the disclosure, as there are often certain items missing from that initial package.

 

Crown Pretrial/Resolution Meeting

After disclosure has been substantially completed, your lawyer will attend a meeting with the Crown Attorney. The purpose of this meeting is to see what the Crown's position might be if you plead guilty. Sometimes matters are resolved at this stage.

 

Judicial Pretrial (JPT)

After a Crown Pretrial, the next step is a conference between a Judge, the Crown, and your lawyer. At this stage, it is often already known whether a matter will proceed to trial, or whether the accused person might plead guilty. If it will proceed to trial, the purpose of the JPT is to determine how long the trial might take, and what the issues might be. If you might plead guilty, the JPT allows the Judge to explain what his or her approach to sentencing would be. This can help the Crown and Defence come to an agreement.

 

Trial

At your trial, the Crown will attempt to use the information it has available to prove the charges that have been laid against you beyond a reasonable doubt. Your lawyer will also ask the Crown's witnesses questions, and might call evidence to support your case. Your lawyer's role is to fearlessly raise every argument in your defence to show that the Crown has not proven its case.

 

DISCLAIMER: All information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice and it is no substitute for speaking with a lawyer.​