4 immediate steps if you’ve been charged with a crime in Calgary:

  1. Remain silent. Exercise your Charter right to remain silent. Don’t answer police questions, apologize, or sign anything for the police.
  2. Immediately call a criminal defence lawyer. Your lawyer needs time to review the charges, advise you on bail conditions and court process, and start building your defence before your first appearance.
  3. Write down what you remember: Note key details, times, and witnesses while they’re fresh, but don’t discuss the situation with anyone other than your lawyer.
  4. Don’t destroy any evidence: Retain all physical and digital evidence, and pass it to your lawyer at the earliest opportunity.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Where in Calgary will you be held, and where will your hearings be?

After your arrest, you’ll typically be taken to the Calgary Police Service’s Arrest Processing Unit at the Spyhill Services Centre. This is located at 12500 85 St NW, Calgary, AB T3R 1J3, and is where booking, fingerprinting, and photographing take place.

From there, you’ll either be released directly by police on conditions (an Undertaking) or held for a bail hearing.

If you’re held, your bail hearing is usually scheduled within 24 hours, in front of a Justice of the Peace or judge. If bail is denied or hasn’t been decided yet, you’ll be held at the Calgary Remand Centre until your next court date. This is located adjacent to Spyhill.

Nearly all Calgary criminal proceedings, from bail hearings through to trial, take place at the Calgary Courts Centre (601 5 Street SW):

  • Less serious matters are heard in the Alberta Court of Justice.
  • More serious indictable offences may proceed to the Court of King’s Bench, both located in the same building.

“One of the immediate benefits of having us as your lawyers is that you will not have to go to court or do anything further until we inform you otherwise. This can be a huge stress reliever while navigating the criminal justice system.”

Michael Oykhman, Strategic Criminal Defence

What court processes can you expect after being charged in Calgary?

Navigating the criminal justice system in Calgary can be scary and confusing.

Court proceedings are much easier with the help of an experienced criminal defence lawyer familiar with the local courts, the prosecutors, and the judges.

For an understanding of each stage of the criminal justice process in Calgary, refer to the following dedicated pages:

  • Pre-Charge Legal Advice: Legal guidance sought before any charges are laid, often while you’re still under police investigation.
  • Bail Hearing: The court decides whether you’re released while your case proceeds, and on what conditions.
  • Election and Plea: For certain offences, choosing how your case will be tried, then entering a plea of guilty or not guilty.
  • Resolutions: Ways a case can be resolved without a full trial or conviction.
  • Trial: Where the Crown must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt before a judge, or judge and jury.
  • Sentence: If convicted, the court determines the appropriate penalty.
    • Fine: A monetary penalty ordered by the court.
    • Discharge: A finding of guilt without a criminal conviction being recorded, available for less serious offences.
    • Probation: Supervised release in the community under specific conditions.
    • Conditional Sentence Order (CSO): A jail sentence served in the community under strict conditions, where eligible.
    • Jail Sentence: Time served in custody.
  • Appeal Process: Challenging a conviction or sentence in a higher court.

How can you assist with the court process?

Although your lawyer will handle the entire process, these steps will assist your lawyer in building the strongest possible defence:

WHAT TO DO WHY IT HELPS
Document what happened Write an account in date order covering what led up to the incident, what happened during it, and what's happened since. Add maps or diagrams if useful.
Get witness statements Ask anyone who saw the event (e.g., a friend who can corroborate your version) to write down what they observed.
Keep an ongoing journal Log new developments in your case as they happen, so you can update your lawyer with a clear timeline.
Store all official documents Keep every document from the police, courts, medical professionals, and other official paperwork, such as your release documents.
Take photos Capture anything relevant, like the scene, specific items, or injuries (e.g., documenting injuries can support a self-defence claim in an assault case).
Gather positive personal records Collect evidence of good character, such as school, work, or community accomplishments.

Try to take as many of these actions as possible after being arrested and meeting with your lawyer.

Much of the stress that comes from being charged with a criminal offence can be relieved by doing this initial groundwork and by retaining a competent lawyer to help you through every stage of the legal proceedings.

“The police may feel like they have the right person to charge, but it’s one thing to feel that way and another thing entirely to actually be able to establish that in court.”

Michael Oykhman, Strategic Criminal Defence

What will your lawyer do as your case progresses?

Once we have the necessary information from you after the initial consultation and further discussions, we will get to work on your case.

From providing pre-charge legal advice through to appealing a conviction, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will:

  • Protect your legal rights.
  • Explain the legal options available and possible outcomes in plain language.
  • Build a personalized defence based on the circumstances of your case.
  • Represent you at all court appearances.
  • Communicate with the police and the Crown Prosecutor.
  • Make submissions to the judge during your court appearances.
  • Work to limit the consequences of the charge for your future.

During criminal proceedings, clear lines of communication are essential. Advise our Calgary office of any changes to your address, email, or phone number. If you plan to take any extended trips that will make communication difficult, please let us know well in advance.

Testimonials

“Had an incident and contacted Joseph during the holiday season. He was straight with me and gave me advice that other lawyers had not. I followed it and ended up with a good result…responsive to me during court process, which was very relieving. Explained everything and was understanding of my questions…Would recommend Joseph and his team.”

J.C.

“I was very happy that I chose Michael to help when I needed it most. Throughout my whole case and court matters, Michael and his team were very helpful every step of the way. I was kept up to date throughout the whole process and was very impressed with the professionalism and care Michael and his legal team took to make sure I was satisfied with the outcome of my charges.”

G.M.

“From the beginning, Joseph was very respectful, professional, and quick to return my telephone call/emails. He ALWAYS answered my questions in a way that I understood and explained the court process and what to expect going forward. He was very attentive to my matter.”

M.J.

FAQs

If you were held for a bail hearing, your first court appearance will typically follow within several weeks. If you were released directly by the police, the date will already be listed on your release documents. Nothing substantive happens at this appearance, like a plea or trial. There may be several such appearances for disclosure requests, retaining counsel, or early discussions. We will attend each one to obtain the relevant information before assessing it and taking the next step.

The disclosure package is the evidence the Crown is required to share with us, covering everything relevant to your case, not just material that supports the charges, but also anything that could assist your defence. After the first appearance, we review it, discuss it with you, and may also raise issues with the Crown Prosecutor before deciding on next steps. Disclosure can grow as new evidence comes in, so we’ll keep reviewing it throughout your case.

Don’t commit to a plea before speaking with a lawyer. Pleading ‘not guilty’ preserves your trial rights and lets your lawyer review disclosure, explore defences, and negotiate with the Crown first. You can change your plea later if appropriate.

Options vary by case, but may include challenging the evidence or Charter breaches, negotiating a withdrawal or reduced charge, or qualifying for diversion, peace bonds, or discharges. We will review your specific circumstances to identify which paths realistically apply.

Yes. If you’re convicted or plead guilty, we present mitigating factors, character evidence, and relevant case law to advocate for the most lenient sentence available, such as a conditional discharge, probation, or reduced custody, rather than the maximum penalty.

An appeal challenges a legal error, not just disagreement with the verdict, and must typically be filed within 30 days to a higher court. We review your trial record first to assess whether valid grounds for appeal exist.

A strategic approach to criminal defence

Every criminal case is unique and fact-specific. You need a criminal defence lawyer to tailor a defence strategy as you navigate the court processes together.

Strategic Criminal Defence has defended over 10,000 charges in the past two decades. Our lawyers understand how the local police, prosecutors, and judges approach all types of criminal cases and will use our experience to help protect your future.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Verified By: Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Last Modified: July 13, 2026

Michael Oykhman is a senior criminal defence lawyer and the founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a leading firm with offices across Western Canada and Ontario. With nearly 20 years of legal experience, he has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has successfully defended thousands of clients.

Experience

  • Proven Results: Successfully managed over 10,000 criminal cases, experience in complex matters such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
  • Strategic Problem Solver: Trained as a trial lawyer but recognized for his experience in alternative resolution strategies, often securing the best outcomes for clients without a case ever going to trial.
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Authority: Licensed to practice law in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Education & Academic Leadership

  • Education: Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
  • Academic Distinctions: Recipient of the Crown Association Prize (top grade in criminal law) and was the first-ever finalist for the University of Calgary at the Gale Cup Moot.
  • Teaching & Mentorship: Currently serves as the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Advanced Criminal/Constitutional Appellate Advocacy.

Credentials & Recognition

  • Top-Rated Advocacy: An 8-time recipient of the Three Best Rated® Top Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year award in Calgary.
  • Professional Memberships: Active member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) of Calgary.
  • Connect with Michael: Bio | LinkedIn | Firm Office: (403) 719-6410