If you’re in trouble, we can help.

Saskatchewan Criminal Lawyers

We represent individuals charged with serious offences in Saskatchewan.

Whether you’ve been charged with impaired driving in downtown Regina, a property offence in Saskatoon’s Nutana district, a drug crime in Northridge, or a violent offence in Riversdale, your freedom and even your future could be on the line.

Strategic Criminal Defence is a full-service criminal defence law firm that can defend your charge and prevent such an impact. Criminal law is all we do.

Our lead lawyer, Michael Oykhman, is established across Western Canada, including Saskatchewan. Since 2020, he has been actively representing clients in Regina, Saskatoon and across the province.

Michael leads a large team of lawyers that has:

  • Defended over 10,000 cases.
  • Received many hundreds of glowing, 5-star Google testimonials.
  • Won Consumer Choice awards.

Michael has also received Three Best Rated® distinction as a criminal defence lawyer for eight consecutive years.

When you retain one of our lawyers, you are supported by the knowledge and expertise of our entire firm.

However, time is of the essence with criminal charges. The earlier you speak with a criminal defence lawyer from Strategic Criminal Defence, the sooner we can protect your rights and advise you on the next steps.

Should I Plead Guilty?

At your first appearance in court, you will be able to submit your plea.

If you plead guilty, you can make submissions to the court regarding any mitigating circumstances related to the offence. However, you will be risking a major impact on your:

  • Freedoms
  • Driving privileges
  • Employment
  • Travel
  • Education
  • Reputation

There are few circumstances where a guilty plea is advisable, even for a DUI, but each situation is unique. You should first exercise your right to legal counsel.

We will steer you in the right direction if you’re under investigation, arrested, or charged with a criminal offence, to limit the consequences for your future.

Why Hire Us?

Saskatchewan’s Crime Severity Index is almost double the national average, with violent crimes, in particular, increasing 45% in the last 10 years.

The authorities here are under pressure to clamp down hard on crime.

No two cases are the same, but regardless of the criminal offence you’ve been accused of, you can expect little leniency without a strong argument in your defence.

Strategic Criminal Defence will protect your rights and help you navigate the Saskatchewan judicial system for a quick and effective resolution.

Our familiarity with the dynamics of the local judicial system, including its prosecutors and judges, extends to:

  • The Provincial Court of Saskatchewan.
  • The Court of King’s Bench.
  • The Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan.
  • The Supreme Court of Canada.

15+ Five-Star Reviews in Saskatchewan

Trusted by clients across Saskatchewan and Western Canada.

2,500+ Cases

Proven results in thousands of criminal defence cases.

20+ Years of Legal Experience

Michael Oykhman has over 20 years of professional experience.

24/7 Availability

Here when you need us, day or night, 24/7.

Flat-Rate Pricing

Know the total cost upfront without hourly surprises.

Our Unique Approach

The Strategic Advantage

Proven Strategy

We evaluate every avenue, from negotiating with Saskatchewan Crown Prosecutors to full trial preparation. Our team actively pursues Alternative Measures and extrajudicial sanctions to help you resolve matters without a permanent criminal record.

Unmatched Experience

We combine decades of legal expertise with a deep understanding of the local justice system. We prioritize discretion and integrity, recognizing the emotional weight of criminal charges and working tirelessly to ease the burden on our clients.

Demonstrated Results

Our reputation is built on a consistent track record of success. From high-stakes acquittals to favourable pre-trial resolutions, our five-star testimonials and successful case outcomes reflect our unwavering focus on protecting your future.

Practice areas

A Full-Service Criminal Defence Firm

Impaired Driving

Facing DUI or drug-impaired charges requires a strategic defence. Saskatchewan has some of the highest enforcement rates in Canada. We protect your right to drive and help you avoid a permanent criminal record.

Domestic Violence

Police-reported allegations of family violence are consistently high in Saskatchewan and carry significant social and legal consequences. We provide a discreet, vigorous defence to protect your reputation and help navigate the complexities of your case.

Drug Offences

Whether facing charges for possession or trafficking, the legal landscape for controlled substances is constantly shifting. We offer comprehensive legal strategies to protect your freedom and challenge evidence obtained through unlawful searches.

Criminal Driving

Beyond the loss of driving privileges, Criminal Code driving violations carry life-altering sanctions. We defend clients against serious allegations, including dangerous driving and criminal negligence, scrutinizing every detail of the Crown’s case.

Criminal Harassment

Criminal harassment is commonly referred to as stalking and is classified as an ‘Offence Against the Person and Reputation’ in the Criminal Code. We defend clients against serious allegations of criminal harrassement.

Assault

From minor altercations to Level 3 aggravated assault charges, a conviction can impact employment and travel, as well as your immediate freedoms. We provide a robust defence against allegations of non-consensual force, ensuring your side of the story is heard.

Sexual Assault

Allegations of a sexual nature are exceptionally sensitive and carry heavy stigmas. Our firm provides a discreet, objective defence against charges of sexual interference or assault, protecting your rights throughout the judicial process.

Theft

Theft charges, whether over or under $5,000, can jeopardize your career and future. We provide effective legal counsel to challenge the evidence and work toward resolving these matters without a lasting criminal impact.

Fraud

Fraud is a type of non-violent property offence that covers a broad range of acts. Fraud charges can carry serious legal and financial consequences. Our lawyers provide experienced defence and clear legal guidance.

Our Process

What happens after you hire us?

Communicate With Stakeholders

We communicate with the necessary parties to explore a favourable resolutions.

Work For Your Release

We work to gain your realse on bail (see below), with the least restrictive conditions possible.

Protect Your Charter Rights

We protect you throughout the investigation, arrest, charge, detention, and court processes.

Build a Robust Defence

We help to fight the charge and minimize the consequences.

Meet Lawyer Michael Oykhman

Who Will Represent You?

Michael Oykhman will handle your criminal defence case. In addition to leading the team in the Calgary branch of Strategic Criminal Defence, Michael is licensed in Saskatchewan and has represented many defendants in need of help in the province.

With nearly two decades of experience, he has represented over 2,500 clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Michael is renowned for problem-solving and achieving favourable pre-trial resolutions. His cases and legal opinions are frequently featured in local and national media.

Key areas of focus: DUI, violent offences, sexual offences, property offences, drug offences, criminal driving.

Michael-Oykhman-Bio-Photo

Ratings and Reviews

Hear Directly From Our Clients

“Respected in the courtroom”

“I can with confidence say if you find yourself in a tough situation and want a professional who will be honest and diligent with your matter, and is respected in the courtroom, then I highly recommend Michael Oykhman.”

M.A.

“The best defence team”

“Thank you, Michael, the best defence team hands down. This is the second time Michael has helped me get through a rough patch, trust me on this: make the call and speak with the team there and they will look after you. 100% recommend for anything, 17 days and Michael looked after my DUI. Thank you again.”

– G.D.

“Honest, clear, and incredibly knowledgeable”

“From the very first consultation, they were honest, clear, and incredibly knowledgeable about criminal law. Throughout the entire process, they were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case. They fought hard to protect my rights and delivered results beyond what I ever expected…I can’t recommend Michael Oykhman and his team enough.”

– W.S.

Navigate the criminal process in Saskatchewan

If you are arrested in Regina, Saskatoon, or the surrounding rural areas, you will be processed by the Saskatchewan RCMP or municipal police (such as the Regina Police Service or Saskatoon Police Service).

Immediate Custody and Your Rights

Upon arrest, you are typically transported to the local police headquarters or a regional RCMP detachment. Under s.503 of the Criminal Code, the police must bring you before a Justice of the Peace or a Judge within 24 hours.

At this stage, you may be:

  • Released via Undertaking: For less serious charges, you may be released directly from the station with a set of conditions and a court date.
  • Detained before a bail hearing: If the police oppose your release, you will remain in custody until a formal bail hearing.

Our Role: When you exercise your right to counsel, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will step in immediately to locate you, notify your family, and begin negotiations for your release.

The Bail Hearing Stage

Unlike the centralized systems in other provinces, Saskatchewan bail hearings often take place in the Provincial Court location nearest to the arrest. Your defence team will:

  • Negotiate with the Crown: We proactively contact the prosecutor to secure a “consent release,” avoiding a contested hearing.
  • Review evidence: We obtain the police disclosure package early to understand the strength of the allegations against you.
  • Advocate for freedom: We push for the least restrictive conditions, ensuring your employment and family life aren’t sidelined by unnecessary “no-contact” or curfew orders.

For more information on bail hearings and conditions, read our in-depth FAQ on the Bail Hearing Process in Canada.

Detention and Remand Facilities

If bail is denied or adjourned, you will be moved to a provincial correctional centre to await trial (“remand”). In Saskatchewan, these facilities include:

  • Regina Correctional Centre: Houses adult male remand inmates for the southern region.
  • Saskatoon Correctional Centre: The primary remand facility for adult males in central Saskatchewan.
  • Pine Grove Correctional Centre (Prince Albert): The province’s dedicated facility for women.

Visit Our Location

Our Office

The Regina office of Strategic Criminal Defence is situated in the heart of the city’s legal and professional district. This central location serves as our strategic hub for managing criminal matters across Regina and throughout Southern Saskatchewan.

Our office is located within minutes of the city’s most critical legal infrastructure:

  • The Regina Provincial Court: Located just a short distance away, where most bail hearings and summary matters are heard.
  • The Court of King’s Bench: Situated nearby for serious indictable offences and jury trials.
  • The Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan: Conveniently accessible for complex appellate work.

Serving the Wider Rural Communities of Saskatchewan

Our location in downtown Regina doesn’t prevent us from serving the entire southern region, including Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Estevan, as well as communities in the more remote northern areas of the province.

With much of Saskatchewan supporting rural populations and many Indigenous communities living both on and off reserves, our services are made available for:

  • Underprivileged individuals.
  • Those who are disproportionately represented in the Canadian criminal justice system.
  • Those who typically find it challenging to access criminal defence services.

We are committed to supporting clients who reside in more remote areas outside of Regina and Saskatoon.

We Answer Your Top Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need to divulge any information to the police about whether or not you committed an offence, nor commit to any searches without a warrant.

Your only legal obligation is generally to confirm your name, address, and phone number. Remain polite and inform the officer that you would like to enforce your right to silence. If you are arrested, inform the arresting officer that you would like to exercise your right to legal counsel.

Saskatchewan offers Alternative Measures (for adults) and Extrajudicial Sanctions (for youth). These programs divert cases from court, allowing charges to be withdrawn upon completion of requirements like community service, restitution, or mediation, ultimately resolving the matter without a criminal record. Individuals may also seek Conditional or Absolute Discharges.

If you plead not guilty, your case may proceed to trial. However, the majority of cases are settled before that stage:

  • Your lawyer will develop a resolution strategy and review the Crown Prosecutor’s evidence.
  • If the Crown fails to provide you with all the necessary evidence, the court may adjourn your matter or grant you a stay of proceedings.
  • A pre-trial conference may be held to ensure that any unanswered questions or issues are resolved before trial.
  • A preliminary inquiry may also be conducted to determine whether a trial is necessary. If you’ve been charged with an indictable offence, you will be able to elect whether to be tried by a jury or by a judge alone.
  • Your lawyer may negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor for a resolution that would make a trial unnecessary.

During the trial, the Crown Prosecutor presents their case first, followed by the defence’s opportunity to call witnesses and present evidence. If constitutional rights were breached, a voir dire (a “trial within a trial”) is held to determine if specific evidence is admissible or must be excluded due to Charter violations.

After testimony is presented, both sides deliver closing arguments before a judge or jury renders a verdict. If you are acquitted, you are free to leave without a record. However, after a guilty finding, the court moves to a sentencing phase, where both parties submit arguments regarding appropriate penalties.

Strategic Criminal Defence is aware that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples are disproportionately represented in Saskatchewan’s criminal justice population. We understand the social justice issues at play in this context:

  • As a firm, we are committed to ensuring that any discrimination or violation of your Charter rights is appropriately flagged in your defence.
  • We’ve successfully defended all types of criminal charges against many First Nations clients both in Saskatchewan and beyond.
  • We have considerable experience drafting sentencing reports for First Nations individuals using the Gladue factors, which judges must consider before sentencing such individuals, including trauma, abuse, the legacy of colonization, etc.
  • Often, we can reduce the consequences for your future based on these factors and persuade judges to seek rehabilitative solutions rather than custodial sentences.

A Charter argument asserts that the state violated your constitutional rights during a criminal investigation. If police breach liberties, such as the right to counsel or protection against unlawful search, we can challenge the evidence. Successful arguments may result in that evidence being excluded, often leading to withdrawn or dismissed charges.

During your confidential 30- to 60-minute session with a criminal defence lawyer, we will:

  • Review your case: Examine police documents and discuss your version of events.
  • Evaluate potential impacts: Discuss how charges may affect your job or travel.
  • Outline strategy: Explain the court process, next steps, and our flat-fee pricing.

Provide advice: Identify proactive steps to improve your legal outcome.

Depending on your situation, it’s best to email us before or provide the following information during your free consultation:

  • A written statement (preferably typed) outlining your version of events.
  • All documents that you have been given by the court or by the police.
  • Any disclosure you have received.
  • Photo ID.
  • Any supporting documents, such as photographs, emails, texts, phone records, medical records, receipts, etc.

Get A Free Consultation

Have you been charged with a crime in Saskatchewan?

Being accused of a crime in Saskatchewan can lead to a complex and draining legal process.

The legal experience and insight of our criminal defence team often enable a quick, effective resolution that reduces the impact on your future.

Our knowledge of the local judicial system, judges, and prosecutors can make a critical difference to your case.

Call Or Send A Message

Available 24/7

306-986-5240

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