Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Ottawa Legal Guides » Criminal Defence & Traffic Offences Ottawa » Page 2
💡The Direct Accountability Program (DAP) in Ottawa allows eligible individuals facing minor charges to complete tasks, such as paying restitution or making a charitable donation, to have their charges withdrawn…
💡In Ottawa, hiring a criminal defence lawyer for an impaired driving (DUI) case typically costs between $4,000 and $10,000+ CAD in block fees. The exact amount depends heavily on whether…
💡If arrested by the Ottawa Police Service, your most powerful protection is your Charter right to remain silent. You must identify yourself, but you should politely and firmly refuse to…
💡Getting bail from the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) typically requires a formal bail hearing where a judge or Justice of the Peace decides your release. In most cases, you will…
🚗The Back on Track program is Ontario’s mandatory remedial course for anyone convicted of impaired driving. It costs approximately $900 CAD, takes a minimum of 11 months to complete, and…
🚨In Canada, a victim cannot simply “drop” criminal charges against a family member. Once the Ottawa Police Service lays a charge, only the Crown Attorney has the legal authority to…
🔓To change your release conditions in Ontario, you must obtain a Bail Variation. You can either secure the Crown Attorney’s consent or file a formal application at the court. While…
🚲US Border Patrol has full access to the Canadian CPIC database. To cross legally with a criminal record, Canadians must generally apply for a US Entry Waiver (Form I-192), which…
💡If you are falsely accused of a crime in Ottawa, firmly exercise your right to remain silent, preserve all digital evidence, and completely avoid contacting the accuser. You should consult…
💡In Canada, a criminal record is permanent unless you actively apply for and are granted a Record Suspension (formerly a pardon) from the Parole Board of Canada. Depending on your…
👮If you fail a breathalyzer test in Ottawa, remain calm and exercise your right to silence. You will be arrested and given a 90-day licence suspension. Demand to speak with…
💬To dispute an immediate 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) in Ontario, you must file a formal appeal with the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). You can only win if you…
💡Defending against a drug trafficking charge in Ottawa is a complex process that typically costs between $10,000 and $30,000+ CAD in legal fees. Because these cases often involve challenging police…
💡In Ontario, “Over 80” and “Impaired Driving” are two distinct criminal offences, though you are usually charged with both simultaneously. Fighting an Over 80 charge often involves your lawyer challenging…
💡Driving while suspended for an impaired driving conviction is a severe offence in Ontario. It triggers an automatic 45-day vehicle impoundment, fines up to $50,000, a mandatory minimum 6-month additional…
💡If you are convicted of shoplifting (Theft Under $5,000) in Ottawa, the criminal court fine can reach up to $2,000 CAD. However, many first-time offenders qualify for a diversion program,…
💡In Canada, there is absolutely no statute of limitations for an indictable assault offence, meaning the police can charge you decades after an incident. However, if the assault is minor…
🚘If you are arrested for impaired driving in Ottawa, your car is immediately towed and impounded for 7 days under Ontario’s Vehicle Impoundment Program. You cannot get it back early,…
💡Ontario’s Ignition Interlock program allows first-time impaired driving offenders to drive sooner. Under Stream A, if you plead guilty within 90 days, your 1-year suspension is reduced to a 3-month…
🛒First-time offenders in Ottawa charged with Theft Under $5,000 may qualify for the Direct Accountability Program (DAP). By completing community service or making a charitable donation, you can have your…
⚠In Ontario, novice drivers (G1 and G2) face a mandatory 30-day licence suspension if they accumulate 9 or more demerit points. Additionally, under the escalating sanctions rules, a single traffic…
🎯 Specialization: Child Protection, Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Matrimonial Disputes
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 1240 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Organized Crime, Sexual Assault, Drug Trafficking, Appeals
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 280 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, DUI Defence, Child Protection, Drug Offences
🗣️ Languages: English, Vietnamese
📍 Address: 85 Albert St Suite 800, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2010
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Mental Health Law, Youth Offences, Security Clearance Appeals, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 224 Cooper St, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1997
🎯 Specialization: Notary Services, Residential Real Estate, Family Sponsorship, DUI Defense
🗣️ Languages: English, Hindi, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
📍 Address: 1907 Baseline Rd, Ottawa, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Aboriginal Title, Duty to Consult, Specific Claims, Treaty Rights
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 55 Murray St #230, Ottawa, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, DUI, Domestic Assault, Theft, Fraud, Sexual Assault, Youth Offences
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 251 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2010
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Domestic Assault, Sexual Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English, Polish
📍 Address: 116 Lisgar St Suite 402, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2018
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Traffic Tickets, Impaired Driving Defense, Stunt Driving, Commercial Vehicle Offences
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 1901 Bank St, Ottawa, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Professional Regulation, Disciplinary Proceedings, Sexual Assault Defence, White Collar Crime
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 180 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
⚙️ Services: Community Supervision, Adult Probation, Parole Services, Conditional Sentencing
📍 161 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Criminal Administration, Civil Intake, Family Counter, Small Claims Counter, Sheriff's Office, Legal…
📍 161 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Records Management, Background Checks, Freedom of Information, Fingerprinting Services
📍 2670 Queensview Dr, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Youth Justice Services, Secure Detention, Secure Custody
📍 3000 Hawthorne Rd, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Explosives Training, Forensic Identification, Executive Development, Polygraph Unit, Technological Crime
📍 1 Sandridge Rd, Ottawa, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Victim Services, Restorative Justice, Offender Management, Policy and Research
📍 340 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Criminal Record Checks, Vulnerable Sector Checks, Fingerprinting Records, Pardons and Suspensions
📍 1200 Vanier Pkwy, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Military ID, Security Clearances, Police Records Checks
📍 101 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Federal Policing, National Security, International Policing, Specialized Policing Services
📍 73 Prom. Leikin Dr, Ottawa, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Writs of Seizure and Sale, Eviction Notices, Certificates of Lien
📍 161 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario
Welcome to the Ottawa Criminal Defence and Traffic Offences guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from minor highway traffic infractions to serious indictable offences, based on current provincial and federal regulations.
Facing a criminal charge or a serious traffic ticket in Ottawa can be an incredibly stressful experience that threatens your liberty, livelihood, and driving privileges. Whether you are dealing with a stunt driving charge on the Queensway or an assault allegation in the ByWard Market, understanding your rights under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act is essential. A single conviction can lead to a permanent criminal record, skyrocketing insurance premiums, or even imprisonment.
The legal system is complex and adversarial, meaning the Crown prosecutors and police are focused on securing a conviction, not protecting your future. Having a clear, objective understanding of the charges against you and the evidence provided by law enforcement is the first crucial step in building a strong, effective defence.
In Ottawa, the judicial journey for most criminal and traffic matters begins at the massive Ottawa Courthouse located on Elgin Street. Minor traffic tickets and provincial offences are typically handled by the provincial offences court branch. More serious summary convictions and indictable offences are processed through the Ontario Court of Justice or escalated to the Superior Court of Justice for high-stakes trials and appeals. Knowing exactly which courtroom and jurisdiction applies to your charges is critical.
Because Ottawa is the nation’s capital, law enforcement is carried out by multiple agencies. The Ottawa Police Service handles local and municipal matters, while the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrols major arteries like Highway 417 and Highway 416. Additionally, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is often involved in federal property incidents or complex cross-jurisdictional investigations. Navigating the differing procedures of these agencies is a core part of any defence strategy.
Attempting to represent yourself in criminal court or negotiating directly with a seasoned Crown Attorney is extremely risky and heavily discouraged. A guilty plea out of convenience can result in unforeseen, lifelong consequences, including strict travel restrictions and the loss of employment opportunities. We always strongly recommend retaining a skilled criminal defence lawyer or a licensed paralegal for applicable provincial offences to ensure your Charter rights are not violated.
You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. A dedicated legal professional will meticulously review police disclosure, file critical pretrial motions, and advocate fiercely on your behalf. Going up against the vast resources of the state without proper representation puts your future in jeopardy.
In Canadian law, summary convictions are less serious offences that generally carry lighter penalties, such as a maximum of two years less a day in a provincial jail. Indictable offences are the most serious crimes, such as aggravated assault or major fraud, and can carry maximum sentences up to life in prison.
No, standard traffic tickets issued under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (such as speeding or failing to stop) do not result in a criminal record. However, driving offences charged under the Criminal Code, like impaired driving or dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, will leave you with a permanent criminal record if convicted.
Legal fees depend on the severity and complexity of the charges. Many criminal defence lawyers in Ottawa offer block billing (a flat fee for specific stages of a case, like a bail hearing or a trial), which can range from $1,500 for a minor summary matter to tens of thousands for a complex indictable trial. Hourly rates generally range from $250 to $800.
A bail hearing is a court proceeding where a justice of the peace determines whether an accused person can be released from custody while awaiting trial. The Crown may agree to release you with specific conditions, or they may fight to keep you detained. Often, you will need a surety—a person willing to pledge money and supervise you—to secure your release.
Stunt driving involves excessive speed (such as driving 40 km/h over the limit in a zone under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h over in higher zones). Penalties are severe and immediate, including a 30-day driver’s licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment at the roadside, before you even go to court. Conviction brings massive fines and potential jail time.
A Canadian criminal conviction, particularly for crimes involving moral turpitude or drug offences, can make you permanently inadmissible to the United States. If you have a criminal record, you will likely need to apply for a US Entry Waiver, which is a lengthy and expensive process, before attempting to cross the border.
