The breadth of our experience covers nearly all areas of criminal defence.
No matter what you or someone you know have been charged with, or under investigation for, we completely understand how important it is to have the right people looking after you. Our experienced criminal defence team has represented hundreds of clients charged with nearly every major criminal offence in Canada.
Our Criminal Law Areas of Practice
White-Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes consist of occupational crimes and corporate criminal offences including embezzlement, tax evasion, fraud, counterfeiting and identity theft to name a few. Disclosure can be technical and voluminous, requiring attention to detail in reviewing evidence along with the warrants and production orders used to obtain the evidence.
Serious Violent Offences
Serious violent crimes include murder, manslaughter, or aggravated sexual assault and they carry heavy consequences. Most involve large amounts of disclosure and require complex legal arguments to successfully defend. Many of these offences carry life sentences as a possible punishment. An accused person should not settle for average representation when facing these types of charges.
Youth Criminal Justice
When dealing with criminal charges against young people, there is so much at stake. In Canada, criminal charges against youth are governed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. It is legislation for those at least 12 but under 18 years old, who are alleged to have committed criminal offences. Because of the special circumstances surrounding youth and the law, it is critical to have the right counsel on your side.
Criminal Appeals
In Canada, you have the right to appeal a criminal conviction or sentence. Showing a judge committed a legal error is often very difficult and requires an extensive knowledge of the rules of evidence and appeal procedure. Appeals by their nature are often very complex and are typically handled by an experienced team of appellate lawyers like you’ll find at Sitar & Milczarek.
Drug Offences
Drug offences are some of the most serious charges a person can face in Alberta. Many of these cases can only be defended through Charter applications to exclude evidence seized by the police or wrongfully used by prosecutors.
Domestic Assault
Due to the personal nature of domestic assault, looking after your criminal charges while managing your day to day life can present unique issues that need to be carefully managed. We will help you work through this tricky situation to look after you and your charges.
Regulatory Offences
Regulatory offences, or “quasi-criminal” offences, are offences charged pursuant to legislation other than the Criminal Code of Canada. They can involve significant professional, financial, and possibly penal repercussions. Areas our firm has litigated within include: the Securities Act, the Fair Trading Act, the Animal Protection Act, the Aeronautics Act, and the Wildlife Act.
Other Criminal Charges
Regardless of the the category of your criminal charge, our firm will have you looked after. With a strong understanding and professional practice of criminal justice, our firm leverages the collective expertise and knowledge of our entire team to bring you the best strategy and approach for resolving your charges.
DUI & Impaired Driving
The ability to drive is a necessity for most of our clients. You should hire the best DUI lawyer in Alberta. It is often difficult to work, transport children or engage in daily activities without being able to drive. The law in this area is complex and evolving. With the potential for driving prohibitions lasting a year or more and criminal records interfering with the ability to work, we leave no stone unturned in your representation.
Extradition
Extradition involves the handing over of someone to another country or US state for criminal prosecution. Many of the entities that seek extradition from Canada have more punitive legal systems and may not provide the same legal protections that exist in Canada. Accused persons should use a firm that has experience using the law to resist this process and stay in Canada.
Civil Lawsuits
Civil lawsuits deal with disputes between private parties or negligent acts that cause harm to others. Arrests and detention can often lead to mistreatment, injury or flagrant breach of Charter rights. While the trial process does not often involve compensation for those falsely accused or improperly treated, civil litigation can result in financial recovery.
Civil Forfeiture
Civil forfeiture laws have been rationalized as a way of taking the profit out of crime. These laws allow police to confiscate property deemed as proceeds or instruments of “unlawful activity.” As the standard of proof required is extremely low, you can be at risk of losing your property even if you had no personal involvement or knowledge of the alleged criminal activity alleged.