Areas of practice and legal expertise

In matters involving criminal allegations, it is essential to retain counsel at the earliest possible opportunity to protect your rights and interests. Our areas of practice include criminal defence, regulatory offences, professional discipline, and extradition. As experienced lawyers, we represent clients at all stages: investigation, trial, and on appeal.

 
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Criminal trials

Your effective defence begins with a full understanding of the elements of the alleged offence and the allegations against you. Your criminal lawyer plays a critical role in securing an acquittal at trial. As experienced criminal lawyers, we represent clients on all criminal offences, from bail, to preliminary hearing, to trial.

Click here for more info as to what types of offences we handle.

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Criminal appeals

If you have been found guilty of a criminal offence, you may wish to appeal the conviction, the sentence, or both. Our firm is frequently retained on many challenging and complex appeals. Combining strong written and oral advocacy skills, we advance your strongest and most persuasive arguments.

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Professional discipline & regulatory matters

Our firm has a broad range of experience before various professional regulatory bodies and administrative tribunals in Ontario. Our past experience includes representation before the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Toronto Police Service Tribunal, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, and the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

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Extradition

If you are wanted for alleged crimes in another country and are facing extradition, you are entitled to a hearing. If ordered committed for extradition, you are also entitled to make submissions to the Minister of Justice on surrender. Having counsel experienced in this area is crucial. Our firm represents clients in extradition matters for all offences, including murder, and is well-versed with the relevant statutory provisions and procedures.

 

Why retaining counsel is so important

Being criminally charged and facing the prospect of conviction can be an overwhelming experience. It can carry serious consequences, and have a severe impact on your life: from employment and immigration status, to family relationships and personal reputation.

It is important to retain an experienced lawyer who will move quickly to advocate on your behalf, taking the steps necessary to build a sound defence, often well before your first court appearance. This may include:

 
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MEETINGS

Holding meetings with clients, whether in or out of custody (if detained in custody, visiting the jail).

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INTERVIEWS

Conducting witness interviews that corroborate your account or challenge the Crown witnesses’ version of events.

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EVIDENCE COLLECTION

Collecting evidence that may be important for establishing timelines, supporting your account, or challenging the Crown's evidence.

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PRESERVATION OF EvidencE

Requesting the preservation of evidence which may be in the possession of third parties, such as surveillance video.

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Communication

Communicating with the police, Crown, jail, insurance companies, hospital and other health care professionals, counsel in concurrent proceedings and other persons, and various other measures.

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Location visits

Visiting the site of relevant events to take photos and video and making observations.

 

Our lawyers can help.

 
Arrested, confused, sad, and anxious, I stumbled upon Melanie Webb. She delved right into my case after our first meeting. I was facing kidnapping, torture, extortion, assault with weapons, and a plethora of other charges. She worked diligently through all of my emotional issues, was a listening ear when I needed to vent, and never compromised our attorney-client relationship. Melanie was always professional and I’m glad to say that after a two-month trial and out of five accused, I was the only one acquitted. I was temporarily stripped of my personal goals and material posessions, but I gained my freedom back thanks to Melanie. My family and I are forever grateful.
— J.G.