519-488-6496 or
343-309-9226 or
705-742-0440 or
613-531-9099 or
613-505-0059 or
613-771-7260 or
705-878-8100 or
289-301-1890 or
905-725-3564 or
289-803-0288 or
647-932-8077 or
905-458-1921 or
289-780-7252 or
1-800-668-1657

LONDON CRIMINAL LAWYERS

151B York Street, Unit 11
London, Ontario
N6A 1A8

Phone / Email

Local Phone: 519-488-6496

Toll Free 24/7: 1-800-668-1657

Email: freeconsult@callalawyer.ca

Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by appointment
After Hours & Weekend: by appointment

Google Rating
4.9
Based on 457 reviews
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london criminal law firm

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We offer free 30-minute initial consultations to individuals in London. Our criminal defence lawyers are available to review your case with you.

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Looking For a Criminal Lawyer in London, Ontario?

london townshipLondon is just one of the many cities situated in Ontario. However, 10,000 years ago, Indigenous people, primarily the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Lenni-Lenape Nations, lived in what is now called London.

Upon venturing here many years ago, John Graves Simcoe was enthralled by the land’s beauty and potential. He soon adopted it as his own. In 1796, a purchase agreement known as: “The London Township Treaty” was signed by the British Crown and the Indigenous persons residing in this area. In this agreement, land north of the Thames River was released.

In 1826, London was officially founded. Eventually, as the years progressed, various buildings, primarily those centralized around the courthouse, began to spring up. Finally, the Bank of Upper Canada erected its establishment. Eldon House followed suit, as did other structures.

In 1840, London was officially incorporated as a town. After this designation, municipal services, manufacturing industries, road improvements, and other forms of expansion increased.

London, prospered despite fires and other setbacks and eventually, its prosperity led to its recognition as a city in 1855. Since then, London has continued to flourish, positioning it as a fantastic Ontario city. Some historical and well-known places to consider in London, ON include—Eldon House, Banting House, and the North America Railway Hall of Fame in nearby St. Thomas.

london crimeWhich Crimes Are on the Rise in London, ON?

In Ontario, crime can occur in any city.  Some crimes tend to be more prevalent than others. Like most mid-sized city, London ON has seen its share of criminal offences, including homicide, assault, theft, fraud, and other Criminal Code violations.

According to London Ontario’s crime statistics released by the London Police Service, violent crimes, theft, assault, and property crimes, are some of the most problematic crimes in this city. In fact, these crimes have seen the most occurrences.

Property Crimes

As reported by Statista, Canada has seen a steady increase in property crimes particularly since 2014 although the previous years fluctuated notably. In London, ON, property crime surged from 16,105 crimes in 2018 to 16,794 crimes in 2019.

In 2020, property crimes, primarily those targeting businesses rose by 83%. The incidence of reported break and enters increased from 112 in 2019 to 205 in 2020. An increase in property damage was also noted.

Hate Crimes

Hate crimes have also been on the rise in London, ON. Recent events, primarily the unfortunate hit and run incident that impacted a Muslim family of five, unearthed the chronic issue of hate crimes in London. According to online reports, hate crimes have been on the rise here for years.

Since 2015 leading up to 2019, “police-reported hate crimes in London, Ont., rose by more than a third[.]” Approximately 6.2 incidents occurred per 100,000 people in 2019, which surpassed the national average of 5.1. The most common type of hate crime reported were those concerning race and ethnicity.

Despite the Rise of Certain Crimes, is London Still Safe?

Although the problem of recurrent property and hate crime in London ON is concerning, not every part of the London area is implicated.

As with most cities, some neighbourhoods are safer than others. Most residents of London still find it to be a safe city and a good place to live.

Aitken Robertson Can Defend Against Criminal Allegations in London

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in London, ON legal defence is available. Below are the offences defended by Aitken Robertson:

impaired driving

Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving in London as in the rest of Canada is a criminal offence. It involves operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Fines, jail time, and other penalties are the consequences that can follow if found guilty of this offence. A DUI lawyer in London can provide legal help.

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assaults

Assaults and threats

An assault in London, ON and elsewhere in Ontario is a criminal offence that involves harming someone intentionally. Threats are spoken statements specifying the desire to hurt another person or a group of persons.

The various types of assaults include:

  • Simple Assault
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Assault with a Weapon
  • Assault Causing Bodily Harm
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Assault With a Weapon/Threats/Bodily Harm
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault
  • Assaulting a Police Officer
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sex assault

Sexual Assault

Sex assault in London and other parts of Ontario is defined by unwanted sexual activity. Besides unwanted sexual intercourse, activities that may constitute sexual assault may include touching or groping someone in a sexual manner without consent. This is a major criminal offence. If found guilty, significant penalties will ensue.

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domestic assault

Domestic Assault

In London and also elsewhere, domestic assault is an act of violence against a family member or a significant other. Domestic assault is distinguishable from common assault, as there is a “breach of trust” that occurs. If convicted you can face probation, fines, or imprisonment.

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CASE STUDY: Charges Withdrawn – Domestic Assault

When an incident happens between two people in private, the case is often a complicated battle between two sides of the story.
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internet crimes

Internet Crimes

In London, internet crimes, computer crimes, or cybercrimes are offences that occur online. Such offences generally utilize devices such as tablets, computers, smartphones or other technological instruments. These devices and a network are used to carry out the offence. A few of the crimes classified under this offence include “revenge porn,” child pornography and cyber-bullying.

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CASE STUDY: Child Luring and Multiple Child Pornography Charges

Mr. R was in his last year of high-school and in the midst of applying to university when he was charged with severe criminal offences.
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drug charges

Drug Charges

Drug charges would involve the supplying, importing, exporting, growing, manufacturing, trafficking or possessing of those substances listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The CDSA lists both hard and soft drugs, including heroin, cocaine, “magic mushrooms,” marijuana (in quantities above a certain amount) as well as other substances including precursors to listed drugs. If convicted of a drug charge in London, or elsewhere you will face penalties that may include imprisonment.

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bail

Bail Hearings

For some offences, the accused person will not be released from the station to await the outcome of the case in court, but will instead be held in custody for a bail hearing. The bail hearing will determine if the accused person can remain at liberty while the case is processed by the criminal justice system. Not getting released on bail means remaining in custody while the case is working its way through the court process. You only get one shot at a bail hearing in London  and elsewhere in Ontario.

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stunt driving

Dangerous Driving

Dangerous driving is a criminal offence. It is the act of operating a vehicle recklessly without consideration for other drivers and persons on the road. If convicted of dangerous driving in London mandatory licence suspension, potential imprisonment, and other penalties will follow.

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driving under suspension

Driving While Prohibited

In London, driving while prohibited, also known as driving while disqualified, means driving while under a court-ordered prohibition and/or licence suspension arising from a criminal driving conviction. Choosing to disregard such a prohibition order indicates a lack of respect for the court. Possible consequences for this offence include increased periods of prohibition and imprisonment.

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breaches

Breaches

In criminal law, a “breach” is a violation of a condition in a probation order or in a form of release pending the outcome of a case (bail or undertaking/recognizance). A breach itself constitutes an additional criminal offence and generally results in serious penalties.

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weapon charges

Weapons

There are many types of weapons offences as the use of firearms in particular is highly regulated in Canada. Besides the more obvious offences such as using firearms to harm others or possessing illegal firearms, there are also offences that capture the unsafe handling of legally owned firearms. Other objects are also classified as weapons as for example brass knuckles or flick knives. An item that may have a perfectly legitimate use, such as a knife, can in some circumstances be considered a weapon. Convictions for weapons charges usually result in severe penalties.

CASE STUDY: Careless Use of a Firearm

At the time of being charged, our client was an elderly 67 year old gentleman, who had a seasonal property in the rural Peterborough area. Mr. L and his wife came to see me regarding the upsetting situation they found themselves in with the Peterborough Ontario Provincial Police.
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Break and Enter Charges

Break and enter

Break and enter is common property crime in London, and other parts of Ontario that involves entering another person’s property without authorization. Penalties for this offence, particularly if the break and enter was into a dwelling, are very severe.

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young offenders

Young Offenders

In Canada, criminal offences committed by young people under the age of 18, are dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). While the offences with which young people under 18 can be charged are the same as for adults, the processes of the criminal justice system and the potential consequences, are different for young people.

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CASE STUDY: Assault with a Weapon (Knife) and Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to Public – Charges Withdrawn

We took advantage of all available avenues and in the end, after multiple meetings with the Crown, we were able to have the charges withdrawn.
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Court Information for Criminal Offences in London, ON

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in London, your case will be heard here at the Ontario Court of Justice in London, located at 80 Dundas St. The hours of operations here are Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, in-person hearings are limited. Hence remote options such as video or phone are being utilized to proceed with hearings. Only in specific incidences will be in-person meetings be required.

If you must travel to this courthouse, standard parking is available on site. Alternative parking, such as Impark is also available nearby.

While visiting this courthouse, here are some restaurants nearby to consider:

  • Grace: Offering foods such as quiche, and sandwiches such as grace reuben, goudaletta, mon ami chickpea, & the lox down.
  • Thaifoon Restaurant: Serving Thai food such as chicken satay, golden shrimp, lemongrass mussels, coconut rice, and other treats
  • Kenzo Ramen: Offering ramen dishes such as vegetarian ramen, hot ramen, basic ramen and other types of ramen.

Find a Criminal Lawyer in London, ON

hire london criminal lawyerBeing charged with a criminal offence is not the most enjoyable situation. Instead, it could stir up frustration, disappointment, and other negative emotions especially when you believe that you are innocent.

The legal team at Aitken Robertson is committed to providing you with the support and advocacy you need. Our extensive experience along with continuous training keeps us in tune with the relevant legal practices and procedures. Therefore, we have the skillset and proficiency to handle your case.

At our law office what matters to you matters to us. Hence, we offer a free consultation during which we take the time to understand your concerns and the legal allegations you are facing. With this understanding, we aim to uphold your rights and build a solid case. Our goal is to attain a suitable resolution.

We provide affordable payment options. Therefore, regardless of your financial situation, you can receive the legal support you need. For a criminal lawyer in London, ON, call us to book a free 30-minute consultation.

Richard Aitken criminal lawyer

Richard Aitken

Managing Lawyer
Sudine Riley - Criminal Lawyer

Sudine Riley

Lawyer
Channdeep Singh Nagi

Channdeep Singh Nagi

Lawyer
Jami Sanftleben - Paralegal

Jami Sanftleben

Licensed Paralegal
melanie van aarde

Melanie Van Aarde

Sole Practitioner Licensed Paralegal Affiliated with Aitken Robertson

Order One or More of Our Free Digital Books

Do you have pressing questions about your charges? You can find answers to many questions in one of our free digital books.  Just let us know what book(s) you want sent to you.

dui book
criminal charges book
Free Guide to Bail Book

FREE CONSULTATION IN LONDON

We’re here for all criminal offences in London including sexual offences, driving offences, violent offences, white collar crime and drug offences.

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Let's start with the basics. What is your name?