Criminal and quasi-criminal law

Criminal Defence

A criminal prosecution is one of the most stressful events a person or organization can face. Clients need and deserve a fearless lawyer to represent their interests.

Criminal charges can include proceedings under the:

  • Criminal Code of Canada
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
  • Firearms Act
  • Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
  • Competition Act.

Ken has experience in the criminal justice system from several different perspectives, with past service in law enforcement and as a probation officer. He is familiar with law enforcement policies and tactics, investigative procedures, and the police mindset towards accused persons.

Ken has worked on a number of fraud and corruption cases around the world, and has a thorough understanding of “white collar” offences. Ken has also represented accused persons charged with a wide array of offences, from robbery to sexual assault.

Ken will represent you at each step of the criminal process, and ensure throughout that you fully understand both the process and your rights:

  • Investigation / interrogation
  • Detention / arrest
  • Bail
  • Disclosure (understanding the case against you)
  • Preliminary hearing
  • Plea negotiations (if appropriate)
  • Trial
  • Sentencing
  • Appeal.

Ken is also able to represent persons under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board (ORB).

Quasi-Criminal Defence

While only the federal government may pass criminal laws in Canada, all levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal) can and do enforce a wide variety of regulatory laws, many of which include substantial fines for individual offenders, organizations, and corporate officers / directors, and penal consequences (jail time) for those involved.

It is essential that an accused person or organization treat a quasi-criminal prosecution just as seriously as a criminal prosecution. Effective legal representation is a must to ensure your interests are fully represented.

A regulatory conviction may have significant consequences for an individual or corporation far beyond the sentence imposed by the court in areas such as:

  • Negative publicity / harm to business reputation
  • Negative impact to credit rating (i.e. increased costs or inability to borrow)
  • Increased insurance costs, or inability to obtain insurance
  • Revocation or denial of business licenses
  • Debarment (“blacklisting”) from government business opportunities in Canada and elsewhere.

A conviction may have very serious consequences for any related civil claims (i.e. lawsuit). A conviction record may also result in significantly greater penalties for any subsequent conviction(s), even though the penalty for the first conviction was relatively light.

Some examples of quasi-criminal offences include:

  • Provincial offences (POA) proceedings
    • Building Code
    • Fire Code
    • Health Code
    • Highway Traffic Act and related requirements for automobile insurance
    • Employment standards
    • Workplace safety
  • Dog Owners Liability Act (DOLA)
  • Municipal by-law or zoning prosecutions
  • Federal or provincial environmental regulatory proceedings
  • Federal regulatory offences.

Ken has acted both as a municipal prosecutor and as defence counsel in various quasi-criminal proceedings, including appeals.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you in your criminal or quasi-criminal matter.