Opioid overdoses pose a considerable problem throughout Canada. In fact, every part of the country has suffered from what is now being called an epidemic. There were nearly 3,000 deaths apparently related to opioids throughout Canada in 2016.
It doesn't matter where you got them, from whom, or why you have them. If you have opioids and don’t have a valid prescription from a doctor, you are in illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Unless you already are a naturalized citizen of Canada, conviction of a crime often can result in your permanent deportation. This can happen regardless of the length of your legal resident status, and even if you have received permanent resident status.
An arrest warrant is a powerful tool. It gives police the ability to arrest a suspect and bring that person before the court that issued the warrant.
Changes are coming to drunk driving laws in Alberta. The new law, set to take effect in July, would largely decriminalize drunk driving for first-time offenders in Alberta.
When you are facing criminal charges, the Crown is required to prove that you are guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In addition, the Crown bears the entire burden of proof in criminal cases and the defendant does not have to testify, nor call any witnesses, nor prove anything at all. The burden of proof is on the Crown—and it is a high burden.
Theft charges are serious accusations. Theft, which is taking something that does not belong to you without the permission of the rightful owner, is punishable by as many as 10 years in prison if the value of the property stolen is more than $5,000. Even if the property stolen is less than $5,000, the penalty may still range to as many as two years in prison.
When police stop you and charge you with a DUI, you may feel like your life is headed over a cliff. However, that is not necessarily the case.
The short answer is, you can’t. Many factors go into whether it is a good idea for you to fight charges at trial or try to negotiate the best deal you can get before trial. Those factors, of course, stem from your individual case.
While police in Canada cannot make a traffic stop for no reason, the reasons for which they can stop a driver generally might seem to be slender justification.