Toronto Criminal Law Blog

It seems that no neighbourhood in Toronto is safe anymore. Violent crimes are on the rise and they aren't relegated to lower income areas, either. The Bay and Yorkville area in Toronto is one of the most affluent in Ontario. Yet it is where a successful 37-year-old CEO lost his life to a gunshot in May while he was simply out for a walk. Witnesses told police the man was shot at close range by a gunman who got into a silver Mercedes after the shooting and sped away. Police don't know if the victim was targeted or if the shooting…

According to the Government of Canada, the increasing number of overdoses and deaths caused by opioids has become a national public health crisis. In an effort to protect Canadians and encourage people to prioritize saving a life, an act providing legal protection to witnesses during a crisis situation became law in May of 2017.   What Protection Does the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act Afford? If you or someone that you are with is experiencing an overdose, getting help could make the difference between life and death. With that being said, the fear of facing serious consequences as a result of…

“Good habits formed at youth make all the difference” – Aristotle Even over two thousand years later, Aristotle’s words ring true. While society’s younger members often make mistakes that are attributed to lack of life experience, the foundation that they lay early on can have a significant impact on the rest of their life. The Effects Of An Early Arrest When it comes to pursuing 4-year post-secondary education and reaping the benefits often associated with an advanced degree, young people who have had experience with the criminal justice system are shown to be far less likely to benefit. A study examining the…

As an accountant in Ontario, you would not have been where you are without investing substantial resources into gaining the qualifications necessary to practice your profession. For this reason, society typically holds CPAs to high standards of conduct. If you face allegations of misconduct, your personal and professional reputation could suffer significant harm that might even have long-term consequences. Your chosen field of work can be intensely competitive with mounting pressure to perform. If someone accuses you of straying into questionable activities, proactive steps to obtain skilled legal counsel may put you in the best position to protect yourself. Know…

If you have been arrested or detained by the police, it can be difficult to know where you stand. Especially for individuals with no previous history of interactions with the police, the process can be overwhelming. While there are limitations as to a person’s ability to make decisions and act on them during the arrest or detainment process, there are certain rights that all Canadians are entitled to while in police custody. Resisting Arrest If you are being arrested, it is important not to resist. While the Criminal Code does provide the right to resist an unlawful arrest by taking reasonable…

Whatever the circumstances, being arrested or detained by the police is stressful. Regardless of what lead to the situation that resulted in the arrest, you have certain rights that are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. From understanding the difference between detainment and arrest to knowing who to contact if you are in trouble, understanding what is expected of you and what you can expect from others is critical. No one wants to find themselves facing detainment or arrest  but should it happen, it is imperative that you know what to do. Detainment vs. Arrest Being detained refers to…

The concept of a criminal record can seem vague. From understanding the difference between a crime and a provincial offence to knowing who may access a criminal record, it is important to be well-informed. A criminal record is the record of an individual’s criminal activity, provided that they have been convicted of a crime. For offenders over the age of 18, a criminal record has the potential to have lasting consequences that can affect employment, travel, and day-to-day living. When Is A Criminal Record Created? Once a charge is laid, a file is started with information relating to the alleged criminal actions.…

A Montreal-born doctor who spent a significant part of his career practicing medicine in New York City was arrested in early 2000 for the unlawful prescription of drugs without a legitimate medical purpose. It is alleged that the doctor provided opioid-addicted patients with drugs such as fentanyl and oxycodone which, in one case, resulted in an overdose death. According to a Toronto Star investigation, in May of the same year, the doctor signed documents provided by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons confirming that he was not facing any disciplinary actions. Following this act of dishonesty, the physician practiced in…

A 25-year-old Toronto man is in police custody after killing several pedestrians by driving a van onto a busy city sidewalk. The recent incident, which garnered worldwide attention, left 10 Ontario residents dead and several others injured, some seriously. The accused has been charged with 10 counts of first degree murder and 14 counts of attempted murder. Authorities are still investigating the incident, which happened on one of the busiest streets in the country. Police forces are working together to reconstruct the exact path the rental van took on its rampage. They want to find out how fast the accused man was…

Since each province will ultimately be responsible for establishing its own rules, things could especially be confusing in cities and areas that are located on the borders of multiple provinces. Some speculate that cross-border trips might become frequent if marijuana laws are much less restrictive in a neighboring province. Current laws and possible future regulations in Ontario It appears that Quebec and Alberta plan to set 18 as the legal age to purchase marijuana while other provinces will likely only allow individuals of 19 and older to buy it. Under current federal law, each residence may grow four cannabis plants,…

A Toronto man in an arranged marriage is on trial for allegedly assaulting his wife. He has been charged with 10 counts of sexual assault, one count of uttering threats and three counts of assault. His parents, who are also Ontario residents, are also facing charges of uttering threats, with his mother also being charged with assault. All have pleaded not guilty. The marriage between the accused and his wife in 2015 was arranged, and his wife claims her husband forced her to have sex twice on their wedding night. Through an interpreter, the woman told the court that the situation went from…

Many people are standing up and speaking out about assault, while others are questioning whether all the accusations are on the up and up. Accusing someone of sexual assault is not to be taken lightly, but -- as certain instances have shown -- accusers can't always be believed 100 per cent either. In fact, an Ontario female police commissioner has groomed her force to not always believe alleged sexual assault victims. Police, the commissioner said, should act as investigators while at the same time respecting the supposed victims. She said the first line of business for police who are investigating allegations of…