Criminal Defence in Victoria
Criminal Defence Lawyers in Victoria
A criminal charge in Victoria can turn an ordinary week upside down. Maybe the police stopped you on the way home through Saanich, served you with a roadside prohibition, or you are now holding a court date for the provincial courthouse downtown. Whatever brought you here, the first thing worth knowing is this: a charge is not a conviction. The Crown has to prove its case, and you have the right to answer it with help.
We act for people across Victoria and the south Island, from Langford and the Westshore to the core neighbourhoods, who are facing criminal charges or driving offences. That includes impaired driving, refusing a breath sample, immediate roadside prohibitions, assault, theft, drug charges, and breaches of conditions. Some of these matters move through the criminal court. Others, like a 90 day roadside prohibition, run through RoadSafetyBC on their own clock, with short deadlines that are easy to miss if no one warns you.
Our job is to slow things down, get the full disclosure from the Crown, and look hard at how the evidence was gathered. We explain what you are actually facing, what the realistic options are, and what each one means for your record, your licence, and your life. The first conversation is free, and there is no pressure to hire us at the end of it.
How we help in Victoria
Bail and release after an arrest
If you or someone you love is being held, we move quickly to argue for release and to keep the conditions workable so you can stay at work and at home in Victoria.
Impaired driving and refusal charges
We defend Criminal Code impaired driving and refusal cases, examining the stop, the demand, the breath or blood testing, and whether your rights were respected throughout.
Roadside prohibitions and licence reviews
An immediate roadside prohibition is reviewed through RoadSafetyBC, not the court, and the window to apply is short. We help you request a review and prepare the material on time.
Getting and reviewing disclosure
Before anything is decided, we obtain the Crown's disclosure, the police notes, video, and test records, and we read it closely for gaps, errors, and Charter problems.
Resolution or trial
Where a fair resolution makes sense we pursue it, and where the Crown cannot prove the case we are ready to take it to trial and hold them to that burden.
Protecting your record and future
We keep the bigger picture in view, including what a conviction would mean for your driving, your job, your travel, and your record, so the path you choose fits your life.
Common questions
I got an immediate roadside prohibition in Victoria. Is that a criminal charge?
Not on its own. An immediate roadside prohibition is an administrative penalty under provincial law, reviewed through RoadSafetyBC rather than the criminal court. It still carries a driving ban, a vehicle impound, and financial penalties, and in some cases the police may also pursue a separate Criminal Code charge. The review deadline is short, often only seven days, so it helps to get advice quickly. We can explain both tracks and how they fit together.
Do I have to say anything to the police?
In most situations you have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to speak with a lawyer. What you say after an arrest can matter a great deal later. A calm first step is to be polite, ask to speak with a lawyer, and avoid explaining your side until you have had that advice. We are happy to talk through what happened and what to do next.
What happens at my first court appearance?
An early appearance in Victoria is usually about process rather than deciding guilt. It is when disclosure is requested, dates are set, and the case begins to take shape. You do not enter a plea until you and your lawyer have reviewed what the Crown actually has. We can attend with you, or in many matters appear on your behalf, and make sure nothing important gets missed.
More services in Victoria
- Personal Injury in Victoria
- ICBC & Enhanced Care in Victoria
- Real Estate in Victoria
- Wills, Trusts & Estates in Victoria
- Family Law in Victoria
- Immigration in Victoria
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 Vancouver
Talk to us about Criminal Defence in Victoria
No pressure and no obligation. Just a clear conversation about where you stand and what comes next.