Criminal Law Advocacy

Have you been charged with a Criminal Offence in Ottawa, Toronto, Brockville, Kemptville, Pembroke, Oshawa, Cornwall or anywhere in Ontario? Are you looking for a Toronto, Brockville or Ottawa Criminal Lawyer or Paralegal to defend you? Do you have questions regarding what consequences a criminal offense may yield? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are in the right place. A criminal charge begins when you are summoned or to Court by the police. You will often receive a document called a "Promise to Appear", "Summons to defendant", "recognizance entered into before an officer in charge or another peace officer", or other similar document. In some cases, you may be physically detained in custody and kept there until you appear in bail court.

First Appearance
Whether you're kept in custody, or released with one of those previously mentioned documents, you will have to appear in Court at what is called a "first appearance". As the name implies, this appearance is usually the first of a number of court appearances. Don't expect your trial to take place at this appearance. This Court appearance usually results in setting another Court appearance. In between appearances is when you may have a chance to seek legal advice, review any disclosure, and consider your options. David Anber understands that being brought to Criminal Court is a very stressful time for most people, and he aims to assist you in a number of ways. First and foremost, David Anber will keep you up to speed on all the details of your case so that you understand what is going on and have an idea of how things can be brought to a positive conclusion.

General Advice
Although this is not considered "legal advice" per se, David Anber recommends a number of things if you have been charged with a Criminal Act. First, write down everything that happened to you on the day you were arrested. Include everything you ate and drank - particularly in the case of alcohol related driving offences. Write these details down as soon as possible; sign and date those notes and keep them safe. They can assist an eventual defence. Second, make sure to keep all paperwork given to you and to attend any dates indicated. For example, it is usually the case that your paperwork will refer to a date to appear for fingerprints (usually at the police station) and a first appearance date in Court. Missing any of these dates can quickly compound your problems. Where you may actually have a good defence to your original charge, failing to show up to the police station, or to court, usually does not have as many valid defences, and is very easy for the Crown prosecutors to prove. Third, don't talk about your case with anybody except a legal practitioner (Paralegal or Criminal Lawyer in Ottawa, Toronto, or anywhere in Ontario). Things you say to other people could theoretically be used against you. Fourth, be extra careful about not breaking the law. If you are arrested by police while other charges are pending, you may quickly find yourself sitting in a jail cell awaiting a bail hearing.

Common Offences
David Anber has considerable experience offering advocacy in various Criminal cases. Although this list is not exhaustive, David Anber has particular experience in:

• Impaired Driving Cases, DUI, "Over-80", Alcohol related Driving Offences;
• Dangerous Driving / Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
• Theft, Fraud & Other Property Crime;
• Impersonnation, personnation with intent, obstruction of a police officer;
• Assault, Uttering Threats;
• Controlled Drugs & Substances / Narcotics cases;
• Breaching conditions of probation/bail/court orders etc.

David Anber can represent you whether it's a summary matter, an indictable matter, whether it is a big case or a small one.