Top Criminal Lawyer Vaughan

Bail Hearing & Bail Reviews

If the court fails to grant you a release on bail, you must remain in custody until trial. However, you should not give up if you or a loved one has been denied bail. Your criminal defence lawyer can help you seek a bail review. A bail review gives you the opportunity to convince the court that you should be released on bail.

During the review, you can show that the judge made an error in law. You can also prove that there has been a change in the circumstances of your case, and you qualify to be released on bail. Convincing the judge that the circumstances of your case have changed and that you qualify for bail can be challenging. You need a highly experienced lawyer to handle the prosecutor on your behalf and defend your legal rights throughout the process.

Break & Enter

Break and enter is a serious offence in the Canadian Criminal Code. If the Crown accuses you of breaking and entering, you should seek reliable legal representation right away. You could be charged with this offence if you enter a commercial or residential property with the intention of committing an indictable offence.

You can face break-and-enter charges even without forced entry into a property. For example, the charges can apply even if you enter a property through an unlocked door or an open window. Even without theft or property damage, you can face charges provided you made unlawful entry into a property. The law defines a place as:

• A dwelling house
• A structure, building, or any part thereof other than a residential house
• A vessel, railway vehicle, trailer, or aircraft
• An enclosure or pen housing fur-bearing animals for commercial purposes or breeding.

The punishment for breaking and entering ranges from imprisonment of ten years to life imprisonment.

Extradition

If you are deemed to have committed an offence in another country, extradition laws may require you to be delivered to another country to face criminal charges. The Canadian Government may also extradite you to the International Criminal Court, commonly abbreviated as ICC, especially if the defendant commits a war crime. In some countries, only the foreigners can be extradited. However, this is not the case in Canada. Even Canadian citizens can be handed over to the extradition partner.

Before extradition from Canada, the defendant is entitled to bail, an extradition hearing, and submission before the minister of Justice. At Costa Law Firm, we have represented many clients on these hearings, including hearings that involve extradition. We provide our clients with skilled representation at every stage of their case.

Domestic Assault Lawyer

Domestic assault is any form of assault between people that are in a close relationship with one another, in a common law relationship, dating, or in any other family relationship. Domestic assault could take many forms, including gestures or acts implying an assault, harsh words or threats, physical violence, a threat or implying physical harm against another. Even if there was no physical assault, the police could still arrest you for domestic assault, provided the victim felt or believed that there was a threat of physical harm. It should be evident that at the time you threatened the victim, you had the ability to carry out the threat.

A domestic assault conviction will result in a criminal record, which could have a long-term impact on your life. If you or your loved one is facing domestic assault charges, you should seek legal counsel from our experienced lawyers at Costa Law Firm.

Highway Traffic Act Offences

There are so many charges under the Highway Traffic Act, and they all revolve around how you operate your vehicle on highways, roads, streets, and other public throughways. A traffic fine can cause demerit points, fines, suspension of your driver’s license and even jail time. At Costa Law Firm, we can help you fight charges resulting from traffic tickets. You can fight tickets if you successfully prove that the police officer made an error and shouldn’t have given you a traffic ticket.

We are devoted to helping our clients fight traffic tickets in Vaughan. You don’t have to bear the weight of fighting a traffic ticket alone. Our lawyers will handle all the hard work, including filing the ticket with the relevant court, determining the court date, reviewing evidence from officers and witnesses, preparing a defence strategy, and helping you to prepare for trial. We will save you the stress, time, and money associated with a traffic ticket.

Fraud

Fraud encompasses a wide range of criminal activities under the Canadian Criminal Law. A fraud conviction carries severe penalties; the specific penalties depend on the type of fraud and the financial losses involved. A fraud conviction could have severe implications on your future, especially your ability to find employment. Typically, the penalties for a fraud conviction include fines, restitution, and jail time. However, depending on the gravity of your case, it is possible to avoid jail time through diversion, probation, or withdrawal of charges.

Fraud cases are intricate and include voluminous disclosure by the Crown. A conviction for a major fraud case can lead to jail terms and restrictive conditional sentences. You need a criminal defence lawyer with experience, determination, and persistence to help you fight the charges. Costa Law Firm has successfully defended hundreds of clients facing fraud charges.

Pardons

A pardon gives people with a criminal record an opportunity to redeem themselves and start afresh. A pardon, officially known as a record suspension, is granted by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) and serves as an acknowledgment that an individual’s past convictions should no longer impede their reintegration into society.

A pardon removes the stigma associated with a criminal record, allowing individuals to participate fully in society without the burden of their past mistakes. When you successfully obtain a pardon, it seals your criminal record from public view, giving you greater access to employment, education, housing, and other opportunities.

Obtaining a pardon requires a thorough application process involving gathering supporting documents, completing forms, and paying a fee. That is why you need to have an experienced lawyer by your side to guide you.

Impaired Driving (DUI)

If you are facing charges for impaired driving in Vaughan, it is crucial to understand the severity of the situation and the potential consequences that can follow. Usually, hiring a lawyer who specializes in impaired driving offences can significantly benefit your case. Our experienced impaired driving lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of the relevant laws, regulations, and legal procedures pertaining to impaired driving cases in Toronto.

Impaired driving offences carry severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, mandatory education programs, probation, and even imprisonment. Our compassionate lawyers will advocate for your interests, negotiate with the prosecution to potentially reduce charges or penalties, and present compelling arguments for alternative sentencing options.

Weapons Offences

Facing charges related to weapons offences in Vaughan can have severe consequences that may impact your freedom, reputation, and future prospects. Hiring a lawyer who specializes in weapons offences is essential to ensure that your rights are protected and build a strong defence. Costa Law Firm’s lawyers possess comprehensive knowledge of the Canadian laws and regulations governing the possession, use, and trafficking of firearms and other weapons.

Our weapon offences lawyers will thoroughly analyze the evidence against you, including witness statements, forensic reports, and any other pertinent information. Weapons offences encompass a wide range of crimes, including illegal possession, concealed carry, discharge of firearms, possession of prohibited weapons, and trafficking. Our knowledgeable lawyers will explain the charges against you, the potential consequences, and the available legal defences like self-defence, among other possible defences.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity that is committed without the consent of the victim. The specific legal definition of sexual assault is outlined in the Criminal Code of Canada, which governs criminal offences in the country.

Sexual assault occurs when a person intentionally applies force to another person without their consent or when they threaten or attempt to apply force without consent.

Other than the use of force or threat, other forms of sexual assault include any non-consensual sexual touching, such as groping, or any non-consensual sexual activity, such as oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. If you face sexual assault charges, we invite you to contact Costa Law Firm for reliable defence.