If you’re in trouble, our lawyers can help.

Located in Downtown Victoria, we represent clients throughout Vancouver Island including Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River and beyond.

Being Charged with a Criminal Offence

If you have been investigated, arrested, or charged with a criminal offence, the first steps have already been taken to criminally prosecute you. The government will now use its immense resources to prove that you are guilty of a crime. Even if you don’t ultimately end up going to jail, any criminal conviction can have life-lasting consequences. A criminal sentence can lead to loss of employment, loss of family and friends, loss of travel privileges, and ultimately loss of personal self-worth.

In times like these, it is important to remember that you are presumed innocent until and unless your guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

The Best Defence

Navigating the criminal justice system can be overwhelming. Compared to the unlimited resources available to the government, a successful defence can seem like an insurmountable task. You only have one chance to get it right, and one chance to pick the right legal team to help you do that. This is where we can help.

In order to level the playing field, you need to know your rights and how to defend those rights. Our job as your criminal defence lawyers is to provide you with that essential information and to represent you throughout the criminal proceedings. Our legal team has a strong focus on criminal law, and decades of experience defending criminal cases. We will carefully review the case against you, identify weaknesses, advocate for your interests, and convincingly present your defence in court.

Client-Centred Services

Protecting your rights encompasses more than just being familiar with legal statutes. We hold the view that grasping the intricacies of your story holds equal significance. Each legal case is distinct, and the requirements of every client are tailored to their specific circumstances. Our commitment lies in devoting ample time to connect with you and comprehending your individual situation and priorities. This approach paves the way for us to offer enhanced representation.

Our legal practitioners possess an unwavering enthusiasm for criminal law and wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to those they advocate for. Irrespective of the scenario, we remain unwavering in our focus on our client’s well-being. Moreover, by maintaining transparent channels of communication, you can confidently rely on us to keep you updated at every juncture of the process.

Flexible Payment Structures

In light of the prevailing economic landscape, we grasp the financial challenges that individuals are facing in these times. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Moreover, our pricing structures are designed to be adaptable, catering to a wide spectrum of financial situations.

Our strength in having a multifaceted legal team enables us to present an expansive array of pricing options, all the while upholding the integrity of your defence. We pair the most suitable lawyer with each client and their unique budget. It’s worth highlighting that regardless of your choice, you’ll benefit fully from our collective experience and expertise.

Understanding Criminal Defence Proceedings

Recognizing that your foremost inquiry upon facing a criminal charge is “What should I do now?” Our team of committed lawyers are present to lead you through your uncertainties and guarantee a seamless process.

After your initial conversation with us, we will take care of gathering all the necessary information. This entails obtaining any evidence that the prosecution intends to use in their argument. Once we’ve had the chance to evaluate this material, we’ll arrange a meeting to strategize the most suitable course of action and address your concerns. This might encompass choices such as moving forward with a trial, pursuing a resolution with the prosecution, or considering a plea of guilt to a lesser charge.

Irrespective of the direction we pursue, we’ll ensure that you’re well-informed at every phase and that you have a comprehensive grasp of all components related to the chosen path.

For a more extensive explanation of the criminal justice process, please visit our Court Process web page.

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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 Western 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

Immediate Roadside Prohibition

An Immediate Roadside Prohibition, commonly referred to as an IRP, entails a driver of a vehicle having their license suspended for a set period of time due to an impaired driving allegation.

Domestic Violence

Criminal charges are deemed to be Domestic in nature if they involve either a family member, or a current/former romantic partner.

Assault

Assault covers a wide variety of violent offences. A common assault is the most basic, with the least severe punishments of all assault convictions.

Drug Possession

Drug Possession is the charge which arises from having a substance in your control which you are prohibited to possess. Drug possession is listed under federal legislation called the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (“CDSA”), not under the Canadian Criminal Code.

Youth Offences

If you have commit a crime and are between the ages of 12 and 17, the prosecution of your offence will be conducted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

Criminal Driving

Criminal driving encompasses multiple motor vehicle offences in the Criminal Code, and is different from charges under the Motor Vehicle Act of British Columbia.

Sexual Offences

Sexual Assault covers a wide variety of conduct and is one of the most litigated offences in criminal law. It can include something as simple as an unwanted hug, kiss, or grope, to much more serious conduct, like intercourse.

Property Crimes

Property offences are commonly prosecuted crimes. When you are found guilty of a property offence you are potentially facing a harsh penalty as the frequency of these offences is increasing and prosecution services across the province are prioritizing general deterrence for this type of file.

Traffic Crimes

Traffic offences are the most frequent charges by police in Victoria. While traffic offences are punished under provincial legislation and are not criminal offences, they can still have significant and adverse impacts on your life.

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Victoria Criminal Lawyers

Choosing the
Right Legal Team

What really sets us apart is our team approach. Collectively, we have successfully defended thousands of cases across multiple provinces and at all levels of court. With offices in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan our criminal defence lawyers regularly attend court all across Canada. When you hire one of our lawyers, you get our whole legal team and the collective wisdom and experience that comes with it.

Why Choose Us?

Client Reviews

We would highly recommend Julia Hunter! She returned our phone calls and emails promptly and spent time talking to us on the phone on numerous occasions and explained everything that was involved in the case thoroughly to us. She was patient, approachable, available, informative and most importantly she got the results we were looking for! Thank you, Julia!!

R.B.

Attorney Julia L. Hunter provided me with her advice in criminal law, and thanks to her diligent, agile, and professional management, we achieved a successful outcome. Communication with her was always very fluid, and I felt supported in every way. If I had to recommend a competent, capable, and empathetic lawyer, I would not hesitate to say that Julia is the person who embodies these qualities.”

D.N.Z.

Excellent service! I would highly recommend going with this team. If I ever need assistance with anything of this manner again, I wouldn’t hesitate to call or email the team at Strategic Criminal Defence.

M.M.

Everyone was very professional and understanding. They explained everything and put me at ease. Any question I had were answered right. If you need help I’d highly recommend this law firm.

B.L.
READ OUR REVIEWS
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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

All our 30-60 minute free consultations are conducted with one of our Criminal Defence Lawyers and include the following steps:

  • Gathering of some personal information about you, such as your level of education, occupation, and citizenship status. This information can be crucial for building your defence and seeking a resolution with the Crown Prosecutor;
  • Careful review of all documents you received from the police. We will explain what each document is, and what you can expect from and need to do for all upcoming appearances;
  • Critical review of your recollection of events, and any supporting materials you choose to bring with you. This step helps us identify possible defences and avenues for further investigation; and
  • Discussion of the court process, our fee structure, and what we can do to help.

Beyond these steps, we would be happy to tell you more about us, and answer any questions you may have. If you chose to retain us to help you, we will immediately provide an overview of what steps we plan to take next, and suggestions as to what you should do to improve your chances of a successful outcome.

We offer flexible payment options and structures designed to meet our clients’ individual needs. Our lawyers accept all major credit cards, bank drafts, money orders, email money transfers (e-transfers) and, of course, cash.

If you decide to retain us after the free initial consultation, all we need is a retainer (down payment) to get started. The rest of the fee payments for the case can be spaced out over time. We can set you up on a monthly or bi-monthly payment plan, and process payments over the telephone or by email to make it easy for you.

The cost of a criminal defence lawyer will depend on several factors, including:

  • how complex your case is,
  • how serious the charges are, and
  • how experienced the Criminal Defence lawyer is.

The fees of a competent Criminal Defence Lawyer will typically range into thousands of dollars. The good news is that only a fraction of that amount is due initially. We offer flexible payment schedules so the fees can be paid in monthly installments.

Additionally, we offer flat rate fees, with no hidden costs. It is our standard practice to review all the costs during the free initial consultation. This means you will know exactly what our services cost at the outset and can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

For the free initial consultation to be as productive as possible, you should bring (or email in advance) the following materials:

  • 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; and
  • Any supporting documents, such as photographs, emails, texts, phone records, medical records, receipts, etc.

Ideally, you will have prepared a copy of these materials for us to keep, but if not, we can always photocopy them during the consultation.

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