In matters involving criminal allegations, it is essential to retain counsel at the earliest possible opportunity to protect your rights and interests. Our areas of practice include criminal defence, regulatory offences, professional discipline, and extradition.
Melanie has successfully defended clients on a wide array of complex matters, at all levels of court in Ontario. Her experience includes defence of clients on murder, criminal organization-related charges, and large-scale drug and fraud prosecutions, and is frequently retained on sexual assault and other similar offences. She has a particular interest in search warrant litigation and constitutional issues.
In addition to her work in criminal defence, Melanie has also appeared before a variety of tribunals and commissions, including the Toronto Police Service Tribunal, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Law Society Tribunal, and the Licence Appeal Tribunal. She has also represented individuals in significant complex cases out of province.
Melanie is a member of Legal Aid Ontario's Extremely Serious Criminal Matters (ESM) panel, and can accept certificates for the most serious criminal offences at trial and on appeal. She is also a member of the Pro Bono Ontario Supreme Court of Canada Leave to Appeal Project roster.
It is important to retain an experienced lawyer who will move quickly to advocate on your behalf, taking the steps necessary to build a sound defence, often well before your first court appearance. This includes:
MEETINGS
Holding meetings with clients, whether in or out of custody (if detained in custody, visiting the jail).
INTERVIEWS
Conducting witness interviews that corroborate your account or challenge the Crown witnesses’ version of events.
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
Collecting evidence that may be important for establishing timelines, supporting your account, or challenging the Crown's evidence.
PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
Requesting the preservation of evidence which may be in the possession of third parties, such as surveillance video.
COMMUNICATION
Communicating with the police, Crown, jail, insurance companies, hospital and other health care professionals, counsel in concurrent proceedings and other persons, and various other measures.
LOCATION VISITS
Visiting the site of relevant events to take photos and video and making observations.
