Practice Areas

Criminal Law

Criminal Law – Protecting Your Rights If you have been charged with a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights. Our law firm has successfully represented many clients in all types of criminal cases, from traffic offenses to serious felonies. We will aggressively defend you and work tirelessly to get the best possible outcome in your case.

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Being charged with a criminal offence is stressful and could have drastic, long-term consequences on your ability to work or travel.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offence, it is in your best interest to hire a qualified criminal lawyer to represent you as your matter moves forward.

De Bakker Law has experience in providing our clients the best possible defence during this difficult time. Their knowledge of the law and the criminal process makes them a logical choice when hiring a criminal defence lawyer.

Although based in Thunder Bay, de Bakker Law provides service for the entire region of North Western Ontario and regularly travels across the region to different criminal courts.

Clients who are charged with criminal offences are often released on bail with conditions not to do certain things. It is important to comply with any such conditions set out in a release order. Failure to do so could result in additional criminal charges. It is not uncommon for people without criminal records to get a criminal charge and walk away without a record. However, if they incur a breach while waiting for their matter to be resolved, the likelihood of a criminal record gets greater and greater.

Let de Bakker Law help you navigate through this challenging time. We have had success in all stages of the criminal process: assisting clients obtaining bail, winning at trial, having charges withdrawn and succeeding in charter arguments. In instances where a finding of guilt is more likely, we have been successful in obtaining lesser sentences than what the crown was seeking.

De Bakker Law services a wide range of criminal clients and accepts legal aid certificates through Legal Aid Ontario.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW LONG DOES THIS PROCESS TAKE?

The length of time it takes for your matter to make its way through the system depends on a variety of factors. It can take a month or two for less serious offences up to several years in more serious cases.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?

Your legal fee is based on a number of factors. If you qualify for Legal Aid, you can pay for our services with a Legal Aid certificate or through a contribution agreement with Legal Aid. Check their website to see if you may qualify. If you do not qualify, our fees are based on the complexity of your case and the amount of time it will take. If you want a specific quote, please call our office, and we will be happy to give you a quote.

WILL I HAVE TO TESTIFY AT MY TRIAL?

No. If you are a defendant you can not be compelled to testify at your own hearing.

WILL I BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE IF I’M CONVICTED?

While having a criminal conviction may impair your ability to travel abroad, the United States does not have a hard-and-fast rule about it. The best approach when crossing the border is to make sure you understand the questions asked and to answer them honestly. There is a big difference between “Have you ever been charged with a criminal offence?” and “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?”

IF I’M FOUND GUILTY, WHAT WILL MY SENTENCE BE?

Predicting sentences is one of the hardest things for criminal lawyers to do. The sentences imposed by judges are determined by a number of factors including whether or not you have a previous criminal record, your personal circumstances, and the particular circumstances surrounding the offence or offences that have brought you before the court.

I HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH DRINKING AND DRIVING, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?

Being charged with impaired driving or driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100ML of blood (commonly known as a DUI) can have serious consequences. If you are found guilty of either of these offences at a trial, you will have a criminal record. You will be subject to a minimum of a $1000 fine and you will lose your drivers license for one year. In Ontario there are incentives for those charged with these offences to plead guilty at an early stage. If you have been charged with either of these offences, it is in your best interest to review your case with an experienced criminal lawyer before making a decision about how you will proceed. Drinking and driving is a complex area of criminal law and you deserve advice from a competent professional.

MY SPOUSE WAS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AFTER WE HAD AN ARGUMENT. CAN WE STILL LIVE TOGETHER?

In domestic situations where your spouse is charged with assaulting you, a Crown Attorneys will often agree to have them released on strict conditions. One of those conditions could be not to have any contact, communication, directly or indirectly with you. Breaching release conditions while charges are still pending could result in another criminal charge for your spouse. It is important they hire a criminal lawyer who can assist in this process. Release conditions can be amended before the matter is complete, however, these would need to be approved by a Crown Attorney or ordered by the court after a hearing.