Police Investigation of a Crime and Your Rights Crime is committed: once the fact has become known to authorities through a complaint or by catching someone in the act, they will start with an investigation into the crime. If a person finds themselves as a suspect or being questioned by the police, they have the…
Are you in need of a criminal defence lawyer now? Text now for a free consultation. If you are being investigated, if charges are pending or if you have been charged, call or text now. It’s very important to speak to a lawyer before you speak to police. It can be hard to…
CANADIAN CRIMINAL CODE: Firearms and Other Weapons How do you know if you can be charged for using a firearm or weapon? The Canadian Criminal Code is a rulebook of all potential charges that can be used against a person in a series of scenarios people may find themselves in. It is important to be…
What are your rights when being questioned by police? In Canada, our Charter rights protect us from self-incrimination and allow us innocence until proven guilty. This is your section 7 Charter right: the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right not to be deprived except in accordance with the principles…
Defending Against Spousal Assault Charges A call to the police regarding a domestic disturbance sets in motion an entire chain of events with serious consequences. If you have been arrested for spousal assault, you cannot deal with this problem on your own. You need an experienced defence lawyer on your side — telling your story…
In the last 20 years, there have been countless instances of meeting with clients who never thought they would need a criminal defence lawyer. Some of these instances include false accusations, wrongful arrests or extenuating life circumstances that may have led to decisions that in hindsight were bad decisons. I work with my clients to…
Using or even simply carrying a weapon can be a criminal offence in itself, or can be used by prosecutors to enhance the seriousness of related criminal charges. In fact, if a weapon is used during the commission of another crime, a conviction carries a four-year mandatory minimum sentence. If you have been charged with…
When you have been charged with a crime, it can be a very stressful and confusing time. There are police, lawyers and courts involved and often the language being used is confusing. This blog is about the terms we use in law and the meanings of the common words used in Criminal law. I hope…
What it is: BC’s exemption from subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: exemption for adults in the province of British Columbia to possess small amounts of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Adults over the age of 18 in BC will not be charged criminally for the possession of up to 2.5 grams…
When you have been charged with a crime, you face the power of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office and all its resources. In this situation, you need someone on your side who will defend your rights and freedoms. David Karp is a partner in a leading Vancouver criminal defence law firm. David has extensive experience defending…