Criminal Charges - Summary Convictions
Summary Conviction Offences are the least severe offences in the Criminal Code but nonetheless may result in substantial jail time. Paralegals may only provide legal representation for specific Summary Convictions under the Criminal Code as permitted by the Law Society of Ontario. And in the case of a Hybrid Offence, only once the Prosecutor has made a Summary Election, a Paralegal is permitted to act as the legal representative.
Mahtab Salimi Legal Services takes on criminal offence summary convictions as regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
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There are many legal strategies for fighting against a criminal charge; they may include diminishing witness credibility, raising reasonable doubt, defence of alibi, among other means. We will consider factors such as the nature of the charges, the strength and weakness of the available evidence and testimonies from the anticipated witnesses and so forth. Most defence strategies depend on poking holes in the case of the prosecution and raising a reasonable doubt.
Provincial Offences
The offences under all provincial statutes are prosecuted using the procedures set out in the Provincial Offences Act.
Few examples of commonly prosecuted provincial statutes are:
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The Highway Traffic Act;
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Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act;
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Liquor Licence Act;
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Occupational Health and Safety Act;
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Environmental Protection Act; and
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Municipal By-Laws.
A limited number of federal statutes are also governed by the procedures of the Provincial Offences Act.
Examples include:
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the Canadian Environmental Protection Act;
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Canada Shipping Act, 2001; and
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Fisheries Act.
