Toronto Criminal Law Blog

Soon, you may be asking “What is my nanogram count?” if you decide to drive after using cannabis. In June 2018, the federal government established new offences for cannabis-impaired driving. Lawyers will be studying the new laws to be ready to assist people charged with the new offences when they go into effect on December 19, 2018. How the drug-impaired driving test works The test will be similar to the breathalyzer tests used for alcohol impairment. The tests reportedly detect the amount of THC – cannabis’ main psychoactive component – in your body by measuring how many nanograms (a billionth of a…

It is no mystery why Ontario law enforcement and safety advocates urge drivers to stay off the road after they have been using any substances that may result in impairment. Driving under the influence of drugs, even certain prescription drugs, raises the possibility that you will be involved in a motor vehicle accident that could cause you or others to suffer serious or fatal injuries. For this reason, if the police pull you over under suspicion that you have been taking drugs, your options may be limited. An arrest and conviction for driving under the influence of drugs can have a devastating…

A physician is facing assault charges after a woman in her 50s alleged that he assaulted her at a medical appointment in 2016. Police say they charged the Ottawa, Ontario, doctor with sexual assault after reviewing a complaint the woman made in February of 2017. Investigators are asking other alleged victims to come forward. The woman said she was alone with the now 44-year-old doctor in an examination room when the abuse supposedly happened. The College of Physicians and Surgeons Ontario has limited the physician's practice, noting professional misconduct allegations. In its decision, the college said the doctor has been accused…

A Leamington store owner was recently found guilty of drug trafficking after having been acquitted twice. The man, 54 years old, was found guilty by an Ontario Court Justice in Windsor. The OPP began looking into allegations the man was selling drugs to kids four years ago. Police began to watch the accused after having been acquitted for charges in the past. He was arrested again, and this time he may be facing time in prison after having been found guilty. During their search police confiscated more than $20,000 in cash. With regard to the man's first retrial, police also confiscated some drugs allegedly…

A still-practicing physician from Ontario has been ordered to pay nearly $700,000 in connection with a sexual assault for which he was found responsible last year. The Sarnia doctor was found liable in civil court of the 1999 sexual assault of a former colleague and friend and ordered to pay her $200,000 in damages. The doctor has also been ordered to pay prejudgment interest to the tune of more than $155,000, court costs of $325,000 and $15,000 in fees pertaining to his appeal. The doctor was not charged criminally for the incident since the victim did not notify police at the time.  The defendant…

An illegal medical marijuana dispensary was apparently the site of two thefts over a three-month period. Law enforcement authorities say that the London, Ontario dispensary, or the Downtown Relief Centre as it's known, was targeted recently by more than one suspect. Witnesses of the apparent violent crime said the suspects, who appeared to be armed, entered the shop at around 10 p.m. while some customers and employees were still there. When the cops arrived on the scene about 20 minutes later, they said the store was empty. Cops are being quiet about the number of suspects they're investigating; however, no one was injured…

A 31-year-old woman who was the victim of a recent drive-by shooting in Toronto was laid to rest. The Ontario homicide victim actually just attended a funeral when she was gunned down while sitting in a parked car with three others. Police say that the suspect opened fire from a passing vehicle. The other occupants of the car occupied by the victim weren't hurt. The woman worked at a homeless shelter. Police don't believe, however, that she or any of the others in the vehicle were specifically targeted. The authorities released video footage of the incident, but no one has…

A Bolton woman, 40, is facing charges stemming from her 2017 bankruptcy. The RCMP's Integrated Bankruptcy Enforcement Unit (IBEU) laid a number of charges on the Ontario resident including fraud over $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She is also charged with two counts of uttering a forged document and six counts of obtaining credit by false pretense. Citizens who utilize the bankruptcy system are afforded a fresh start financially. The system is intended to help people get back on their feet. There are some individuals, however, who allegedly take advantage of the system and are usually identified by members…

A man is in police custody after allegedly robbing a woman at gunpoint. Armed robbery is among those classified as violent crimes in Ontario. The 27-year-old accused was actually charged with two similar crimes that apparently occurred in St. Clair Township within hours of each other. A 64-year-old woman was at an ATM machine when the accused is said to have approached her wearing a black mask. He supposedly pulled a gun on the woman, but it is unclear if he made away with any cash. About three hours later the same man allegedly used a handgun to rob a…

Any criminal allegation must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. All persons accused of an offence are innocent until proven guilty. That is the presumption of innocence. A sacrosanct principle that is crucial to any legitimate criminal justice system - the fundamental requirement of fairness. However, the mere statement of a complaintant can and often does result in the laying of charges. In a trial, oral evidence of a complaintant is sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt without any other evidence to support the allegation. Unfortunately the stigma and repercussions resulting from a…

An employee at one of Canada's major banks is facing charges in connection with assaulting a minor. The 31-year-old self-described director of data science and model innovation has been charged with two counts of sexual assault after allegedly luring an underage girl on the internet. Toronto police said the accused was arrested for luring a child. In addition to two sexual assault charges, the Ontario resident is facing a charge of possessing child pornography. The man is also a public speaker. Police believe there may others who the man allegedly assaulted. Police are urging people who believe they have been on the…

We have seen a significant shift in the criminal justice system over the past two years that has and will continue to erode the ability of an individual's right to make full answer and defence to allegations of sexual assault. The most controversial changes as proposed by Bill C-51 is to automatically exclude relevant evidence in the possession of the accused. Text messages, emails, pictures, video recordings, even thank you cards, that have any content related in any way to "sex" with the complainant will be presumptively inadmissible even though it involves the actual subject matter of the alleged sexual…