Break and enter is a serious criminal offence under Canadian law, carrying significant penalties that depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence. Commonly referred to as “B&E,” it involves unlawfully entering a place with the intent to commit another indictable offence most often theft. Importantly, the offence can be complete even if nothing […]

Bail review and detention review are distinct and vital processes within the Canadian criminal justice system. They ensure that accused persons are not held in pre-trial custody indefinitely when their trial is unreasonably delayed, while also balancing public safety and confidence in justice. These proceedings are governed primarily by sections 522 and 525 of the […]

If you fear someone may harm you, your partner, or your child, damage your property, or share intimate images or videos of you without your consent, you have the option to request a peace bond against them. A peace bond is a legal order issued by a judicial official, such as a justice of the […]

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) is the federal law that governs how criminal charges are handled for young people in Canada. It’s meant to recognize that youth are different from adults in terms of development, maturity, and responsibility. The YCJA creates a separate justice system for youth that focuses on rehabilitation, reintegration, and accountability […]

The Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) is federal legislation in Canada that creates and governs the national sex offender registry. The registry is designed to assist law enforcement in preventing and investigating sexual offences by maintaining up-to-date information on individuals convicted of certain sexual crimes. If you are convicted of a designated sexual offence, […]

Theft and fraud are two of the most commonly prosecuted criminal offences in Canada and they often catch people off guard. What might seem like a “minor” incident, like forgetting to scan an item or shoplifting a $30 product, can still result in a criminal record that affects your future employment, travel, and more. If […]

In Canada, section 160 of the Criminal Code makes it a criminal offence to engage in bestiality, which is defined in law as any contact, for a sexual purpose, with an animal (Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 160). This modern definition was introduced on June 21, 2019, through Bill C-84, in direct response […]

Animal cruelty is taken seriously in Canadian law, with offences covered primarily under Part XI of the Criminal Code, as well as under provincial laws such as Saskatchewan’s Animal Protection Act, 2018. These laws recognize that animals are sentient beings and protect them from unnecessary pain, suffering, or neglect. The main Criminal Code provisions dealing […]

Robbery is one of the most serious violent offences under Canadian criminal law. It involves theft that is carried out with violence, the threat of violence, or intimidation. If you or a loved one is facing a robbery charge, it’s critical to understand your rights, the potential consequences, and how a criminal defence lawyer can […]

Under the Canadian Criminal Code, when a matter goes to trial, there are several stages that it goes through, including a preliminary inquiry. Though not as well-known as trials, preliminary inquiries can play a pivotal role in building a defense and shaping case outcomes. It is essential to understand how running a preliminary hearing may […]