Find Information on Topics Related to Criminal Law in Ontario

Fraud has been on the rise in recent years, due in large part to society's rapid advancement toward digital information.

COVID-19 has accelerated this trend. Incidents of fraud have been up 218% since the beginning of the pandemic. Canada is no stranger to fraud. The legal system in Ontario takes fraud seriously and levies harsh consequences for those convicted.

So, what is fraud in Ontario? What are the consequences of committing fraud? We're happy to explain. Keep reading to learn more about how fraud in Ontario is handled.

The Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) states that it is illegal to knowingly possess any items on a drug schedule. If you are pulled over or arrested with these substances, you will be facing fines and jail time. However, external factors may determine what your consequences will actually look like.

Continue reading to learn more about the consequences of drug offences and how a drug lawyer can help you.

According to the Department of Justice Canada, more than 69,000 impaired driving incidents were reported to police in 2017. In an effort to reduce that number, new impaired driving laws took effect in 2018.

If you've been charged with driving under the influence in Ontario, it's important to understand your options. Our law firm can help. But first, just what is impaired driving? Keep reading to learn more.

According to Statistics Canada, there were over two million police-reported Criminal Code Incidents throughout the country in 2020. While the crime rate has decreased overall, the numbers are still high.

If you've been charged with a crime in Ontario, it's important to understand your legal rights and options. A criminal attorney can help. Keep reading to learn how to choose a criminal lawyer and what they can do for you.

Picture the scene: the drinks were flowing, the music pumping. You hop in a taxi with the girl who'd been giving you eyes all night.

You don't remember much the next morning and awake in an empty bed. All is well. Then it happens- your phone rings. Suddenly, the nightmare begins. You have been accused of sexual assault.

It could happen to anyone. Even if you feel that your partner granted consent, the blurred lines of intimacy could still leave you in a sticky situation.

Help is at hand: read on for our concise guide on all you need to know about sexual consent.

Up to 1,500 people die every year in car accidents where an alcohol-impaired driver is involved.

It makes sense, therefore, that police officers often focus on testing drivers' blood-alcohol levels to see if they're drunk behind the wheel. But alcohol isn't the only substance that can impair a person's driving. And more and more drivers are on the road who aren't drunk but are otherwise impaired.

That's why law enforcement has come up with new ways to test drivers who seem impaired. Your drunk driving lawyer in Barrie knows what you can expect. Here's what to know before you hit the road.

Getting behind the wheel after a night of merriment might sound like a safe idea, but if you've been drinking, you might be too intoxicated to drive and not even know it. Taking that one risk to drive home, no matter how close home may be, can land you in some serious hot water. In fact, you might find yourself in need of a DUI lawyer in Barrie.

What should you do after being charged with a DUI for the first time? Read on to find out about the process.

Are you facing a criminal court case in Ontario? If so, we know how intimidating the process can be.

Expert legal representation is a must, and the right defence lawyer can help guide you through these critical next steps. When you're searching for the best criminal defence lawyer Barrie can offer, it pays to ask the right questions.

Today, we're walking you through some of the main points to consider as you do your research and choose the right legal team for your case.

If you are facing allegations of sexual assault, you undoubtedly have questions about what to do and whether you should speak to a criminal defence lawyer. Barrie’s David Wilcox has been providing trusted legal representation to people charged with criminal offences including sexual assault since 1987. His advice is that a sexual assault allegation must be taken seriously, regardless of whether you think the allegation has merit. Mere accusations – even those that prove to be false – have the potential to seriously damage your reputation. A sexual assault conviction is extremely serious and can result in a lengthy jail sentence in addition to destroying relationships, job prospects, housing options, and your ability to travel.

If you are facing fraud charges, you want to know your legal options and what to expect, and for that you need advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer. Barrie fraud lawyer David Wilcox has extensive experience defending all types of fraud charges, which can involve lengthy and complicated criminal court proceedings, particularly if the case involves complex financial transactions or a significant amount of money or property. It is not easy to defend yourself against fraud charges, and if you are ultimately convicted of fraud, the penalties imposed can be severe. In this post, our Barrie criminal lawyer will discuss what to expect if you are charged with fraud.

Barrie criminal defence lawyer David Wilcox has been representing people charged with criminal offences since 1987. He understands how distressing it is for his clients to be faced with arrest and criminal charges, and he draws on his decades of experience to provide clear solutions and reliable legal advice. When you are charged with a criminal offence, you are at risk of a conviction and criminal record that can have significant repercussions in your life, beyond paying a fine or completing a jail sentence. It is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer who can assist you. Our Barrie criminal defence lawyer recently discussed how to choose the right criminal lawyer for your case. What exactly are the duties of the criminal lawyer you decide to hire? Below are five key roles and responsibilities of a criminal defence lawyer.

You can be charged with impaired driving if your ability to operate a motor vehicle is compromised by the effects of alcohol or drugs (for example, see here for our Barrie DUI lawyer’s discussion of what to expect if you are stopped for suspected marijuana–impaired driving). 

Being charged with impaired driving is a stressful experience, especially if you are a first-time offender. Regardless of whether it is your first offence or not, it is highly recommended that you get legal advice from a criminal defence lawyer who specializes in representing people charged with drug-impaired and drunk driving. Barrie lawyer David Wilcox is an experienced criminal attorney who can guide you through the legal process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have explored all possible defences. Let’s discuss additional ways a DUI lawyer can help you and how an impaired driving conviction can impact your life.

Following the legalization of cannabis, many people have questions about the relationship between these Criminal Code changes and the law on impaired driving.

If you have been charged with fraud for the first time, you may be concerned about the consequences you are facing, your options moving forward and what you can do to minimize the impact if there is signficant evidence for a conviction. Luckily, there are a few ways you may reduce the impact of the charge.

A drug charge is a serious criminal offence, with significant penalties found in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which is federal legislation. 

If you are charged with a drug offence, you may face pre-trial detention and be held in prison until you are tried in court - a process that may take over a year. If you are convicted, you can expect to face imprisonment, a fine, property forfeiture and a criminal record. For these reasons, if you are charged with a drug offence, it is important to hire a criminal defence lawyer that is experienced in fighting drug charges. Consulting with David Wilcox, drug lawyer in Barrie, is a wise idea.

Being charged with a criminal offence is a stressful experience and can lead to life altering consequences. If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime, it is important to get help from a criminal lawyer right away.