Our Firm’s Experience

Toronto Criminal Defence Lawyers

The Toronto Branch of Strategic Criminal Defence Law represents clients all over Ontario, the greater Toronto area, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Brampton, Burlington, Milton, Oshawa, Newmarket, Hamilton, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Barrie, Collingwood, Owen Sound, and beyond. Our lawyers at our firms have over 60 years of combined legal experience which has provided us with the opportunity to defend our clients in over 10,000 criminal cases. Our firm is a full-service criminal defence firm, with a client-focused approach, which deals with practice areas of impaired driving, domestic violence, criminal driving, drug offences, assault and threats, property crime, youth offences and traffic offences.

Our Firm’s Philosophy

The Strategic Criminal Defence Toronto team appreciates that a strong lawyer-client relationship is formed on the basis of trust. As such, we work hard to ensure that we can foster that trust with our clients. We adhere to our philosophy of trust by involving our clients through each step of their matter, which is strengthened by our efforts to always ensure that we are communicating regularly with our clients.

By adopting a client-centred approach to our legal representation we are able to ensure that our clients understand and know that their needs come first. Additionally, we are committed to zealously advocating for our clients to ensure that they receive the best legal representation in a cost-effective manner. By acting proactively and understanding that each case will be different, we aim to provide sound legal advice to meet our client’s needs and secure the right results.

Choosing The Best Criminal Defence Firm for You

Strategic Criminal Defence Law is one of the leading criminal law firms in Toronto. We act proactively to ensure that we are able to identify the merits of your case and offer high-quality cost-effective solutions to your criminal matters.

If you have been charged with a criminal charge, you want Strategic Criminal Defence Law to be representing you. Our firm exclusively practices criminal law and we will use our knowledge and experience to help navigate you through the criminal justice system ensuring that you return to your life as normal quicker.

Understanding Criminal Defence Proceedings in Toronto

Having a criminal charge can be one of the most stressful times in your life. You especially may feel increasingly overwhelmed trying to navigate through the criminal justice system. Our team of experienced lawyers will work with you by educating you about the criminal justice system while addressing any concerns that you may have.

During our initial consultation, we will get to know you, provide you with an opportunity to express your concerns, and answer any questions that you may have. This will be the start of our solicitor-client relationship. After the initial consultation, our team of lawyers will start working on your criminal matter by requesting that all of your disclosure, the evidence that the Crown may use in their case against you, is provided to us. After reviewing your disclosure, we will discuss and present viable options for the resolution of your matter. We will ensure that you are aware of what is happening during each stage of your criminal matter, that your concerns are addressed, and that we secure the right results as per your instructions.

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Why Choose Us?

Our firm has over 500+ five-star Google reviews across Canada.

We are one of the largest criminal defence teams in Canada.

Our lawyers have over 60 years of combined legal experience.

We have defended clients in over 10,000 criminal cases.

We offer flexible payment structures and fee plans.

Our team is available 24/7 to provide help and support.

Practice Areas

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving offences in Toronto are strictly prosecuted under the Criminal Code. Impaired driving offences include operating a Motor Vehicle while ability impaired or while over 80, being in Care and Control of a Motor Vehicle wile ability impaired or over 80 and refusing or failing to provide a breath sample.

Domestic Violence

A domestic violence charge is a serious offence which can be complex. A charge is considered domestic in nature if it involves violence against a family member or a current or former romantic partner.

Assault Offences

A person can be charged with a simple assault charge when they, directly or indirectly, apply force a person without their consent. If proceeded by indictment, an assault offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years jail time.

Drug Charges

Drug charges are prosecuted seriously in Toronto and often result in jail time for even minor offences. Common drug charges include possession, trafficking, distribution, and importation of an illicit drug or substance.

Youth Offences

If the individual is between the ages of 12 and 17 and is charged with a criminal offence, then they will be prosecuted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The primary goal of the Youth Criminal Justice Act is to rehabilitate young people and reduce youth crime.

Criminal Driving

Criminal driving is a serious offence that includes a wide variety of multiple motor vehicle offences in the Criminal Code. Criminal driving offences under the Criminal Code are different from charges under the Traffic Safety Act of Ontario.

Sexual Assault

A Sexual Assault offence occurs when a person intentionally touches another person with a sexual nature and without their consent. Sexual assault offences include sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and aggravated sexual assault.

Property Crimes

Property crimes are one of the most common crimes an individual can be charged with. They are serious charges in Canada which includes offences such breaking an entering, theft, mischief, fraud, trespassing, and arson.

Traffic Crimes

Traffic offences and violations are breaches of provincial legislation, such as the Traffic Safety Act. A traffic offence is usually considered a crime when it is punishable by imprisonment. However, traffic offences may also be punishable by fines or penalties.

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Meet Your Toronto Legal Team

Our Toronto office has 3 dedicated lawyers who are passionate about criminal defence work and work hard to ensure that their clients get a just outcome.

Dylan-Finlay-Toronto-Criminal-Lawyer

Dylan Finlay

Dylan Finlay is the Managing Partner of Strategic Criminal Defence’s Toronto Branch. He obtained his law degree from the University of Calgary and has over 6 years of experience.   He is a natural and persuasive advocate who has exclusively practiced criminal law since 2016. During his time as a criminal defence attorney, Dylan has successfully defended hundreds of clients in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Alberta Provincial Court. Dylan values a personalized client-centred approach to his legal representation as he works hard to ensure that he is accessible to his clients.

Lorant-Kiss-Toronto-Criminal-Lawyer

Lorant Kiss

Lorant earned his bachelor’s degree with High Distinction from the University of Toronto. While completing his law degree at the University of Windsor, Lorant spent multiple academic terms volunteering at Windsor’s Legal Aid Clinic, building his knowledge of criminal law. Since being called to the Bar in Ontario, Lorant has practiced exclusively in criminal defence. In so doing, Lorant has represented individuals accused of a wide range of offences, including but not limited to: assaults, drug offences, impaired driving, theft and fraud. Lorant always puts the needs of his clients before his own and works diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.

justin-crop

Justin Marchand

I practice in all areas of criminal law, but I have spent significant time litigating drinking and driving (DUI) allegations. My approach to many DUI cases is to at first take a dispassionate look at your disclosure. Disclosure is the name given for all the documents the prosecution must disclose to the defence as part of a criminal proceeding. It is always helpful if I can review disclosure and expose errors in police investigations, such as errors in warrants or other forms of intrusive investigations. Ultimately, I will review your case and situation with a view to providing practical advice customized to your needs and wants.

Client Reviews

I would like to start by saying thank you to Dylan Finlay for all the great work he has done for me, I thought I was going to be dealing with a criminal record for the rest of my life and he managed to get me a criminal discharge on my case! He is on point and very professional, I would highly recommend Dylan Finlay to anybody who needs help with their criminal charges! Thank you once again Dylan!

K.S.

Dylan Finley handled my case. Right from the start he was polite, professional, attentive and he delivered on all of his promises. I had a case where it was looking really bad for me. I did everything Dylan told me to do and he took care of the rest. My life was filled with stress and worry about the case. Dylan handled my case like a pro and I received the outcome that I desired. I highly recommend Dylan to anyone seeking a criminal defense lawyer. He has changed my life and given me the opportunity to have a bright future.

R.M.

Dylan Finlay is a professional and effective criminal defence lawyer. Dylan was my lawyer for an assault charge and was excellent throughout the entire process. He advised me how to turn myself in and what to expect, and then helped me build a case while I waited for trial. He was responsive to my emails and his confidence and knowledge relieved my stress. Furthermore, he was reasonable priced for the quality of defence he provides. I am very thankful for his services and got a favourable result on my case. I highly recommend his services.

M.A.

Dylan Finlay is an amazing legal representative and person.I was facing a challenging trial. After getting to speak with Dylan he alleviated all of my stress and concern that burdened me. He provided valuable knowledge and was very intelligent and that eased my stress of the approaching Trial Court Dates . He provided an abundance of research and paperwork, he just had that intelligent edge and legal insight that was commendable. He was very kind and a pleasure too speak with and very personable. Look no further! The legal services provided to me by Dylan was an absolute success. Dylan returned my life back to me. He got me out of a very challenging situation. No matter how much I would thank you Dylan, you are the best :)

O.K.

Dylan was such a great lawyer to work with. I had consulted with other lawyers prior, but decided to hire him after our first meeting as he was extremely professional and provided better advice and information than the others had. He was able to have my case resolved so quickly, much faster than what I had expected and achieved the result we wanted. I truly feel that he went above and beyond for my case, which shows me how much he cares about his clients. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for a lawyer.

L.W.
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Successful Cases

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

VIEW ALL SUCCESSFUL CASES

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Oykhman Criminal Defence in Toronto offers a comprehensive consultation at no cost.

This consultation will be approximately 45 minutes to an hour in length and will consist of:

  • A review of the specific facts of your case
  • A discussion about the possible resolution strategies available
  • A perusal of any evidence you have
  • An explanation of costs and fee structures
  • Preliminary advice about the next steps

A consultation is helpful because it will provide you with a better understanding of the strength of your position and the possible outcomes that could result in your case.

Our lawyers will be able to provide you with timely direction and guidance so that a criminal charge does not upend your life entirely.

We are a full-service law firm that focuses exclusively on criminal defence. Our lawyers have invested their entire careers in understanding criminal law and the nuances of the field.

Whether having your warrant charges withdrawn, preparing for the bail process, filing a Charter motion or communicating with law enforcement, our team of lawyers can provide you with virtually any service you may need to navigate the criminal justice system.

While it is not necessary to hire a lawyer for any criminal charge, it is recommended that you do if you do not have a legal background, or you are unaware of court procedure.

You should consider hiring a criminal defence lawyer especially if the charge is serious or there is an onerous penalty associated with the criminal charge in question.

For example, if it has been alleged that you have committed a crime that carries with it a potential jail sentence, it will likely be to your benefit to contact a lawyer who can negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor for a more reasonable penalty for you.

A criminal defence lawyer will be able to not only assist you in resolving your criminal law matter but also advise you about administrative details and legal conventions. For example, your legal counsel can inform you about court conduct and and how and when you should contact your parole or probation officer.

In retaining a lawyer, you will be armed with knowledge about criminal law and the Charter, which will make for a stronger defence case for you.

You will likely be able to resolve your case more quickly and with less trouble if you were to seek out legal advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer, as opposed to representing yourself or having unqualified counsel present your case to the court.

At Oykhman Criminal Defence in Toronto, our lawyers are dedicated to making your involvement with the criminal justice system as easy as possible. Our lawyers are able to rely on their criminal law backgrounds, which are vast and diverse.

The cost of a lawyer in Toronto will depend upon their years of experience. For instance, a junior lawyer with less than three years of experience in the professional field will have cheaper fees than a lawyer with over a decade’s worth of experience.

At Oykhman Criminal defence in Toronto, we have a flat rate system. This means that we will provide you with a fee schedule that will outline the costs of our services. Thus, we do not charge on an hourly basis.

This system is designed to increase transparency about pricing so that you are aware and can predict how much you will be charged.

The fee schedule is standardized so you can expect uniformity across all of our locations.

Our firm is dedicated to taking into consideration the financial situation of our clients which is why we attempt to pair clients with a lawyer that suits their budget.

For more specific information about how much a lawyer would cost you, feel free to contact us today.

The steps of the criminal process can be summarized as follows:

  1. An Arrest or a Charge for a Criminal Offence

You may be arrested by police or notified of an outstanding warrant. Upon being charged, you can choose to retain legal counsel to represent you against the Crown.

  1. Entering in a Plea

After being charged with an offence, you will need to appear in court. At your first appearance, you will need to submit your plea.

If you choose to retain a lawyer, your lawyer will likely order disclosure so as to make an informed judgement about whether you should plead guilty or not. Disclosure is any evidence that the Crown Prosecutor may have regarding the criminal offence you have been charged with.

This evidence is given to the Crown by the police after they have laid a charge and consists of documents or video or audio recordings procured during the criminal investigation.

If you plead guilty to the offence you were charged with, a disposition will be scheduled, and you will be sentenced. If you choose to dispute the charge(s) against you, your case will proceed to trial.

  1. Preparation for Trial

To prepare for trial, a pre-trial conference or a preliminary inquiry may need to be held to resolve issues related to the proceedings and to determine whether having a trial is justified.

  1. Trial

During the trial, a hearing may be conducted to determine the admissibility of certain evidence. Your lawyer may also present Charter arguments to the court to defend you. To better understand what a Charter argument is, visit our FAQ page.

  1. Sentencing

The final step(s) of the criminal process involves sentencing and making submissions to the court regarding an appropriate penalty for the accused.

For greater detail regarding the stages of the criminal process, visit our ‘How a Criminal Trial Works in Canada’ page.

While we cannot guarantee that you will win your criminal case, at Oykhman Criminal Defence, we can guarantee that if you retain one of our lawyers, you will have access to the experience and competency of our entire firm.

Winning a criminal case may not only be subjective but also dependent upon an array of factors, some of which may be outside of our control. However, our lawyers at the Toronto office are incredibly knowledgeable about criminal law and have successfully defended numerous individuals in court.

Whether it is negotiating with the Crown Prosecutor, reducing an accused’s jail sentence, making submissions to the Crown about mitigating circumstances or having an individual’s charges expunged altogether, our lawyers are experienced in winning criminal cases.

If you would like more information about the cases that our lawyers have successfully defended, visit our Successful Cases page.

The length of time that it takes for your criminal case to be resolved is dependent on the strategical approach that you opt for on account of the advice of your lawyer. For instance, if you choose to take your case to trial and you do not wish to plead guilty, your criminal case may take longer to be completed.

As another example, if the Crown Prosecutor fails to properly disclose all of the evidence that they have access to in relation to your criminal case, this may prolong the duration of your criminal case.

It should be noted that how long your criminal case takes is also contingent on the nature and complexity of the offence you are charged with. If it is a more serious offence, it may take several years for your criminal case to fully conclude.

The best way you can avoid a criminal record is by not engaging in any criminal activity. This also includes not engaging or being involved with someone who is breaking the law.

It is also helpful to have up-to-date knowledge about the law and the ways in which you can receive a criminal record. This is because ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse that is accepted by the court as a mitigating circumstance for committing an offence.

Yet another way that you can avoid a criminal record is by retaining a diligent lawyer who is knowledgeable about criminal law.

A criminal defence lawyer will be able to understand how you can avoid an entry on your criminal record and will negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor’s office to find a reasonable and appropriate penalty for you.

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