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👨⚖️ Robillard Dion – Avocats Droit Criminel – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
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⚠️In Canada, blocking or sabotaging critical infrastructure like pipelines or railways goes beyond peaceful protest. It can lead to severe “mischief” charges under the Criminal Code. If the sabotage endangers…
💡Firing a gun into the air for celebration or intimidation is a severe crime in Canada. The Crown will heavily prosecute this as “careless use of a firearm” or “discharging…
💡Processing the Local Police Records Check (LPRC) for a Canadian record suspension varies dramatically by location. A rural RCMP detachment might complete the check in 2 weeks, while major metropolitan…
🚨Attempting to bribe, threaten, or improperly influence a juror or a witness is one of the most serious crimes in Canada. Under Section 139 of the Criminal Code, these actions…
💡Under Section 244.2 of the Canadian Criminal Code, recklessly discharging a firearm into a residence is a strictly prosecuted indictable offence. Following Bill C-5 and the Supreme Court’s ruling in…
💡Yes. Under Section 196 of the Criminal Code, the Crown must generally notify you in writing within 90 days after a wiretap authorization ends, confirming your private communications were intercepted.…
💡In Canada, Pointing a Firearm (Section 87) and Assault with a Weapon (Section 267) are distinct but equally serious offences. Pointing an unloaded gun directly at someone without a lawful…
💡Careless or unsafe storage of a firearm under Section 86 of the Criminal Code is a serious hybrid offence in Canada. All non-restricted firearms must be unloaded and either locked…
💡When applying for a Canadian Record Suspension in British Columbia, the Parole Board of Canada will review your history on PRIME-BC. This provincial database tracks all local police interactions, including…
💡Toronto residents applying for a federal Record Suspension must obtain a Local Police Records Check from the Toronto Police Service (TPS). Unlike standard background checks, this application must be submitted…
💡To convict you of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knew the item was stolen, or were “wilfully blind” to…
💡In Canada, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) places a strict publication ban on the identity of anyone under 18 accused or convicted of a crime. The media can only…
💡In Canada, interfering with or offering an indignity to human remains is a serious federal crime under Section 182 of the Criminal Code. Whether it involves covering up a homicide…
💡To win a Section 810 or 810.03 Peace Bond hearing, you must prove that the complainant’s fear of injury (or property damage, if under standard Section 810) is not objectively…
💼Once you receive a Record Suspension in Canada, your criminal history is removed from the active CPIC database. This means that standard employers cannot see your past convictions during a…
❗To get a record suspension in Canada, your mandatory waiting period does not begin until you have paid every court fine, restitution order, and most victim surcharges in full. If…
💡Under Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, mandatory minimum sentences have historically been struck down if found to be “cruel and unusual punishment.” However, under the…
💡Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), corporate executives can face millions in fines and direct jail time for toxic spills or illegal dumping. Defending against Environment Canada requires immediately…
💡Generally, fines issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are regulatory penalties, not criminal convictions. Because they do not fall under the federal Criminal Code, they do not typically…
💡If you submit your Record Suspension application to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) even one single day before your mandatory waiting period expires, your application will be automatically rejected.…
💡Older Canadians do not need a federal record suspension (pardon) or a criminal background check to be admitted as residents in long-term care (LTC) or retirement homes. Under provincial laws,…
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🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, DUI Defence, Youth Law, Domestic Violence
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📍 Address: 232 Rue Longueuil, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
🏢 Est: 1990
🎯 Specialization: Virtual Legal Services, Estate Planning, Immigration Appeals, Criminal Defence
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📍 Address: 7030 Woodbine Ave, Markham, Ontario
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🎯 Specialization: Real Estate Closings, Criminal Defence, Immigration Applications
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 3990 Tecumseh Rd E, Windsor, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2015
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation, Human Rights Law, Real Estate Transactions
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 380 Ouellette Ave, Windsor, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2021
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🎯 Specialization: Criminal Duty Counsel, Bail Hearings, Legal Advice for Low Income
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 18 Darling St, Brantford, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1998
🎯 Specialization: Immigration Law, Family Sponsorship, NBI Clearance, Real Estate Closings
🗣️ Languages: English, Tagalog
📍 Address: 2323 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2016
🎯 Specialization: Mortgage Enforcement, Debt Recovery, Power of Sale
🗣️ Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi
📍 Address: 100 York Blvd, Richmond Hill, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1990
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, DUI Defence, Family Law, Residential Real Estate
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 808 Britannia Rd W, Mississauga, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2002
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🎯 Specialization: Impaired Driving, Sexual Assault Defence, Drug Offences, Constitutional Challenges
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 330 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation, DUI Defence, Domestic Assault, Business Disputes
🗣️ Languages: English, Vietnamese
📍 Address: 6981 Millcreek Dr #44, Mississauga, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2017
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📍 301 Wellington St, Ottawa, Ontario
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Welcome to the Canada Federal Criminal Law guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from summary conviction offences to complex indictable charges, based on current federal statutes and the Criminal Code of Canada.
In Canada, criminal law is a federal responsibility. This means that unlike some other jurisdictions, criminal offences are standard across the entire country, governed primarily by the Criminal Code of Canada. Whether you are in Vancouver, Toronto, or Halifax, the legal definition of a crime remains exactly the same. However, while the laws are drafted federally in Ottawa, they are mostly enforced and prosecuted by provincial police departments and regional courts.
Being charged with a criminal offence is an incredibly serious matter that can permanently impact your freedom, employment prospects, and your ability to travel internationally. This guide centre is designed to help you navigate the complexities of the Canadian justice system, providing clear, objective information on your rights and the legal pathways available to you.
Federal criminal law encompasses a vast array of legal challenges. Our resources address many common charges, including:
While the Criminal Code is a federal statute, your pathway through the justice system will almost always take place in provincial and territorial courts. For example, trials for summary conviction offences usually happen in the Provincial Court (such as the Ontario Court of Justice or the Provincial Court of Alberta). More serious indictable offences might be elevated to superior courts, like the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, or the Court of King’s Bench in the prairie provinces and New Brunswick.
Investigations are carried out by municipal police forces (like the Calgary Police Service), provincial police (like the OPP), or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). When it comes to prosecution, provincial Crown counsel handle most Criminal Code matters. However, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) steps in for specific federal cases, such as large-scale drug trafficking, terrorism, or border offences investigated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Navigating federal criminal charges is incredibly stressful and legally complex. The stakes are simply too high to risk handling a prosecution on your own, as a criminal record can permanently alter the course of your life. We strongly advise anyone facing criminal charges to seek the counsel of a dedicated criminal defence lawyer who deeply understands Canadian evidence laws and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A qualified lawyer will ensure your rights are protected throughout the entire process.
You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. Relying on a legal professional ensures that you have the strongest possible defence against the vast resources of the Crown or federal prosecutors.
In Canada, a summary conviction is generally for less serious crimes, carrying smaller fines and shorter maximum jail terms (often up to two years less a day). An indictable offence is for more serious crimes and carries much heavier penalties, including potential life in prison.
For strictly indictable offences, there is no statute of limitations in Canada; charges can be brought at any time, even decades later. However, for summary conviction offences, police generally have 12 months from the date of the offence to lay charges.
The PPSC prosecutes specific federal offences on behalf of the Crown. While provincial Crowns handle most Criminal Code offences, the PPSC focuses on matters such as drug trafficking under the CDSA, income tax evasion, and terrorism charges.
Merely being charged does not mean you have a criminal record, but pending charges will often show up on an enhanced Police Information Check or Vulnerable Sector Check. Only a formal conviction results in a permanent criminal record.
Travelling with pending criminal charges is highly risky. Border protection agencies have access to Canadian police databases. If they see outstanding charges, you will likely be denied entry until the matter is resolved or you obtain a travel waiver.
Costs vary widely depending on the province, the lawyer’s experience, and case complexity. A simple summary matter might cost a few thousand dollars, whereas a complex trial for an indictable offence can cost significantly more. Many lawyers offer block fees to provide financial predictability.