Archives: Practice Areas

Theft, fraud, property offences, and other financial offences are some of the most common criminal charges faced by people in Alberta. Regular Albertans, often people without criminal records, frequently find themselves facing these serious criminal allegations, which can put their livelihood – and even their freedom – at risk. Some common examples of these sorts …

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WHAT IS A SEXUAL ASSAULT? Sexual assault includes any non-consensual touching or other physical contact between two persons that has a sexual nature. (Criminal Code section 271.) This offence is very broadly defined. It includes everything from what is traditionally described as “rape” all the way to a “stolen kiss” or a brief grab of a …

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WHAT MAKES OUT AN ASSAULT? There are three circumstances that can form the basis of all assault-related offences: When a person intentionally applies force to another person without his or her consent When a person attempts or threatens, through his actions to apply force to another person and either carries out that threat or causes the other person …

Offences of Assault Read More »

IS THERE A SPECIAL CATEGORY OF “INTERNET” OR “CYBER” CRIME? It most ways, there are no “special rules” about crime on the Internet. If it is against the law to say or do something in “real life,” it is probably also a crime to say or do it using the Internet or using a computer. …

Internet, Computers & Technology Crime Read More »

If you have been charged with impaired driving you have also very likely been charged under the immediate roadside sanctions as well.  We recommend reading over our immediate roadside sanctions page as well. On December 18, 2018, an entirely new drug and alcohol impaired driving regime came into force in Canada. This decision was made …

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Firearms and weapons offences are governed by the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.  This area of the law is complicated and involves a confusing array of regulations and Criminal Code Offences, some of which contradict each other. This presents many challenges to individuals trying to comply and respect the law. As an area of legal practice, …

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Drug offences are covered in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Drug law is a complex area often involving informants, search warrants, and expert analysis and testimony.  Due to the recent enactment of Bill C-10, penalties for drugs offences have changed and many offences are now subject to mandatory minimum sentences.  In the CDSA offences and penalties …

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Domestic assault offences, and in particular, domestic violence offences, are some of the most common charges dealt with in Alberta criminal courts. Allegations of family violence involve all types of relationships, all age groups, and all walks of life. Police and Crown prosecutors take allegations of domestic violence very seriously, and many people find themselves …

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In Canadian criminal law, you have the right to appeal: A finding of guilt (this is known as a “conviction appeal”); The sentence you received (called a “sentence appeal”); and Certain other kinds of orders that might be made against you in criminal proceedings. An appeal is a hearing before a different court than the …

Criminal Appeals Read More »

In certain circumstances you will be charged criminally with impaired driving offences as well as the IRS.  We recommend that you look at our impaired driving page as well. What is an Immediate Roadside Sanction? On December 1, 2020, Alberta implemented the Immediate Roadside Sanctions Program. This program allows a police officer to suspend your …

Immediate Roadside Sanction Read More »