I have extensive expertise in defending drug charges.
I am extremely knowledgeable about the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, all potential defences, case law, search and seizure law, and challenges under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I am a former part-time drug prosecutor, and I have excellent results in defending drug charges. Choosing a strong lawyer with the right experience and skills is also important because a conviction for possession of any controlled substance may make it impossible for you to cross the border into the United States.
ADDICTIONS
Many people face criminal charges because they are living with addictions. It may be obvious that the charges relate to an addiction, such as possession of drugs, or trafficking at the street level. But a person suffering from an addiction may also steal, commit fraud or break into businesses or cars in a desperate attempt to support their addiction.
First and foremost, my role is to strongly defend my client’s charges, to protect their rights, to avoid a criminal record, and to do everything possible to avoid jail and other negative consequences.
However, if my client wishes, I am also able to assist him or her in getting help for their underlying addiction. And getting treatment for the addiction can have a great impact on the outcome in court.
I am very knowledgable about addictions, and about addiction treatment services in the community. I am able to advise my clients about how to access the treatment they need.
I am a former member of the Board of Directors of Wayside House residential addiction treatment program for men, and I was a founder and Chair of the SURCH (Court Drug Treatment Program), and a founder and past Chair of the Drug Treatment Court Committee in Hamilton. I am currently on the Steering Committee for the Hamilton Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court.
SURCH (SUBSTANCE USE RELATED CRIME IN HAMILTON)
After many years of watching the revolving door of men and women living with addictions committing crimes to support their addictions, going to jail but not getting any treatment, getting released and repeating the same cycle, I felt compelled to work on changing the system to give people the option to get treatment for their addictions as an alternative to going to jail.
As a result I became involved in a collaborative project involving addiction treatment providers, defence counsel, crown attorney, and police to help get people facing (non-violent) drug related charges the help they need instead of a jail sentence, and sometimes even instead of a criminal record.
DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COURT
As part of my work as Chair of the SURCH committee I worked with the same group of justice partners, and an even broader group of treatment providers, to design and implement a Drug Treatment Court in Hamilton.
Drug Treatment Court began in Hamilton on January 1, 2014 and was expanded and improved to include a Mental Health Court stream in 2023.
Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court is an intensive and comprehensive program, headed by a Judge, that works with qualified participants, who are facing even serious (primarily non-violent) drug and mental health related charges. Clients are given significant supports and responsibilities to help them overcome their addictions and treat their mental health issues. Successful clients have the additional incentive of avoiding a lengthy jail sentence.