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Legal Commentary
Criminal law, explained by the lawyers who practise it.
Our lawyers write about the charges they defend, how these cases actually run in Ontario courts, and what a change in the law means for someone who has been charged.
Fraud Over $5,000: Penalties, First Offences and How the Charge Is Defended
Fraud over $5,000 is charged under section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. It can only be prosecuted by indictment and carries up to 14 years in prison. A discharge is not available, a conditional sentence served in the community still can be, and a two-year minimum...
Accused of Sexual Assault in Toronto? 7 Critical Defence Steps
If you are accused of sexual assault, the first days decide more than most people realise: say nothing to police about the allegation, keep every message, and retain an experienced sexual-offence defence firm before you do anything else. The seven steps below explain...
5 Surprising Truths About Impaired Driving Charges in Toronto
Five rules of Ontario impaired driving law surprise almost everyone: you can be convicted without driving, a drink after you park can still count, refusing to blow is its own crime, feeling sober is no answer to a drug limit, and Ontario’s licence suspension can...
Refusing a Breath Sample in Ontario
Refusing to provide a breath sample is its own criminal offence in Canada, and on a first conviction it carries a higher minimum fine than blowing over the legal limit. Section 320.15(1) of the Criminal Code makes it an offence to fail or refuse to comply with a...
Welcoming Three New Lawyers to Daniel Brown Law
Daniel Brown Law welcomes three new criminal defence lawyers: Partner Jason Dos Santos, and Associates Ema Ibrakovic and Thomas McCann. Learn more about their trial and appellate expertise, and how they strengthen our Toronto criminal defence team.
Statement from Team Formenton about the Hockey Canada Verdict
Alex Formenton was barely 18 years old and on the verge of a promising professional hockey career that came to a screeching halt on June 18, 2018, after what was meant to be a night of celebration with his coaches and teammates. For the last seven years, he has lived...
Daniel Brown Law Welcomes Two New Associate Lawyers
Daniel Brown Law LLP is thrilled to announce the addition of two lawyers to the firm. Samantha Bondoux and Robert Nanni have joined us as associates. Samantha Bondoux Samantha’s practice focuses on criminal trials and appeals and she represents those charged with or...
Forcible Confinement Charges in Toronto: Criminal Code s. 279(2)
Forcible confinement, often called unlawful confinement, is an offence under section 279(2) of the Criminal Code. It is committed when someone, without lawful authority, confines, imprisons or forcibly seizes another person. The Supreme Court of Canada describes...
R v J.J.: The SCC Upholds Bill C-51’s Sexual Offence Records Regime
In R v J.J., 2022 SCC 28, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld, by six judges to three, the Bill C-51 rules that require an accused to have a judge screen any private record about the complainant before using it in a sexual offence trial. The Court also explained what...
Charged with an offence in Ontario?
Reading about a charge is not the same as getting advice on yours. Speak with one of our lawyers about the case you are actually facing.