Recent Cases

R. v A.S.

A.S. was charged with the first degree murder of his neigbour. It was clear A.S. had caused the injuries to the victim, but whether it was premeditated was questionable. We were able to negotiate the charge down to second degree murder, with a joint recommendation to the Judge that he be given the minimum parole eligibility of 10 years.

R. v J.H.

J.H. was charged with the attempted murder of his wife. It was clear from the outset that mental health played a significant part in his actions. He was assessed by a psychiatrist, who found that while he had a mental health disorder, he was not "not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder". Thanks to negotiations with the Crown, and the support of his wife, we were able to get the charge reduced to aggravated assault, with a sentence to be served at home under a conditional sentence order.

R. v. T.F.

T.F. was charged with several counts of fraud. The Crown alleged a complicated fraud that required review of thousands of pages of evidence and reviewing the evidence of dozens of witnesses. To properly defend these charges, we conducted our own extensive investigation that included interviewing other witnesses that the police did not speak to. The matter went to trial, and lasted 72 days. In the end, T.F. was found acquitted of all charges, with a comment by the Judge that "[T.F.] now has the benefit of a substantive ruling formally proclaiming that he is innocent of the criminal charges brought against him."

R. v N.B.

N.B. was charged with possession of a large amount of marijuana, for the purposes of trafficking. We were able to get her charges dismissed under section 11(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, since the Crown failed to bring her to trial in a reasonable time.

R. v M.A.

M.A. was charged with human trafficking charges. We were able to get the charges dismissed at the preliminary hearing phase, due to the Crown failing to produce the complainant. The complainant continued to make representations that she would come to court, but then would not come. Our advocacy forced the Judge to dismiss the charges because of the sheer number of times the complainant was failing to appear, as well as "latches" and "negligence" on the part of the Crown in ensuring her appearance.

R. v A.D.

A.D was charged with a number of offences, including sharing intimate images without consent and two sexual assaults. While he admitted to sharing intimate images, he adamantly denied sexually assaulting the two complainants. He pled guilty to sharing intimate images, and we were able to reduce the first sexual assault count to a simple assault plea. We took the second sexual assault to trial, where he was found "not guilty".

R. v N.M.

N.M. was charged with possession of marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. Cassandra was able to negotiate with the Crown Attorney for a plea to a lesser charge of simple possession. She was then able to successfully argue for a conditional discharge on sentencing, which helped the client avoid a criminal record.

R. v T.H.

T.H. was charged with allegedly assaulting and sexually assaulting her former common-law spouse. At trial, Cassandra was able to successfully argue that no sexual assault occurred. The client was found guilty of two counts of simple assault, but Cassandra assisted the client in avoiding a criminal record by successfully arguing for a conditional discharge.

R. v J.B.

This client was severely drug addicted, and as a result, collecting charges for threatening to destroy property, resisting arrest, possession of controlled substances, and breaches of court orders. In addition to assisting the client enter a residential rehabilitation centre, Cassandra was able to have all of her charges diverted and withdrawn using the Direct Accountability Program and the Adult Therapeutic Court. The client is now sober, has resumed a relationship with her mother, is attending school again, and an active participant in After-Care meetings.

R. v J.B.

This client was charged with a number of charges relating to an ex-girlfriend, including sexual assault, forcible confinement, and compelling the commission of bestiality. Following a successful cross-examination of the complainant at the Preliminary Hearing, Cassandra was able to negotiate a resolution of the charges that included a withdrawal of all charges in exchange for the client entering into a Peace Bond.