Criminal Defence in Vancouver
Criminal Defence Lawyers in Vancouver
A criminal charge in Vancouver moves fast, and the first few days matter. You might be holding a promise to appear, waiting on a bail hearing, or staring at a 90 day roadside prohibition after a stop on Granville or the Lions Gate Bridge. It is a lot to take in, and the choices you make early can shape everything that follows. The good news is that a charge is not a conviction. The Crown carries the burden, and you are entitled to know the case against you before you decide anything.
We act for people facing charges across Vancouver and the surrounding area, from theft, assault and breach allegations to drug charges and the full range of driving offences. Driving matters are their own world here. Impaired driving, refusing a breath sample, and Immediate Roadside Prohibitions each run on tight deadlines, and a prohibition can hit your record and your insurance long before any courtroom is involved. Knowing which clock is ticking is half the battle.
Our job is to slow things down and give you a plan. We review the disclosure the Crown is required to hand over, look hard at how the stop, search or breath test was conducted, and explain in plain terms where your case is strong and where it is exposed. Whether the goal is a withdrawal, a resolution that protects your record, or a trial, you will understand the path before you commit to it.
How we help in Vancouver
Bail and release
When someone is held after arrest, the first hours count. We prepare for the bail hearing, line up a release plan and a surety where one is needed, and push to get you or your family member home on workable conditions.
Disclosure and case review
We obtain the Crown disclosure, the police notes, video and breath records, and go through it carefully. You get an honest read on what the evidence actually shows and where the holes are before any plea is on the table.
Impaired and over 80 charges
We defend impaired driving and over the limit charges, examining the reason for the stop, how the breath or blood samples were taken, and whether the equipment and timing met the rules. Small breaks in the chain can matter.
Roadside prohibitions and reviews
Immediate Roadside Prohibitions carry short review deadlines through RoadSafetyBC. We help you understand your options, gather the right material, and act quickly so the window does not close on you.
Trial and Charter defence
If your case should be fought, we are ready to test the Crown's evidence and raise Charter issues around an unlawful stop, search or detention. The Crown has to prove every element, and we hold it to that standard.
Protecting your record and resolution
Where a fight is not the right call, we work toward outcomes that limit the damage to your record, your licence and your livelihood, and we explain the real consequences of every option before you choose.
Common questions
I was charged in Vancouver but I live in Burnaby or Richmond. Can you still help?
Yes. We act for people across the region, including Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore. Your charge is generally handled at the court connected to where the offence is alleged to have happened, and we can guide you through that process wherever you live.
I got an Immediate Roadside Prohibition after a stop. Is it too late to do anything?
Not necessarily, but you have to move fast. An Immediate Roadside Prohibition comes with a short deadline to request a review through RoadSafetyBC, separate from any criminal court process. The sooner we talk, the more options you are likely to have.
Should I just plead guilty to get it over with?
Not before you have seen the evidence. The Crown has to disclose its case, and a charge can have weaknesses you cannot see from where you are sitting. We review the disclosure first so any decision you make is an informed one, not a rushed one.
More services in Vancouver
- Personal Injury in Vancouver
- ICBC & Enhanced Care in Vancouver
- Real Estate in Vancouver
- Wills, Trusts & Estates in Vancouver
- Family Law in Vancouver
- Immigration in Vancouver
Criminal Defence in nearby cities
- Criminal Defence in Surrey
- Criminal Defence in Abbotsford
- Criminal Defence in Delta
- Criminal Defence in Langley
- Criminal Defence in New Westminster
- Criminal Defence in Port Coquitlam
- Criminal Defence in Richmond
- Criminal Defence in Victoria
Talk to us about Criminal Defence in Vancouver
No pressure and no obligation. Just a clear conversation about where you stand and what comes next.