JHG
SUCCESS
STORIES
FIREARM POSSESSION
R. v. A.M. | 2024 | Toronto
Client came to me with three interconnected cases. The police had been investigating his Instagram account and executed a search warrant on a residence he had ties to looking to seize his devices (phone, computer, tablets, etc.). In addition to locating electronics, they also found a gun inside a satchel, inside a closet, in the bedroom the client had been sleeping in. After beating both cases related to his Instagram account (one the crown withdrew and the other we won at trial), we successfully defended the gun charges when the Crown failed to establish he had knowledge of the firearm. After three long years on restrictive bail conditions, he finally cut off the ankle monitor and remains without a criminal record.
COVID-19 Bail Hearings
Successfully argued bail hearings for 36 clients between March 23rd and July 6th, throughout the State of Emergency caused by COVID-19.
Cocaine
Importing Cocaine, P4P Cocaine and Possession for the Proceeds of Crime.
R. v. O.B. | 2020 | BRAMPTON
Client charged with importing 44 kilograms of cocaine, plead guilty with another lawyer. We spent a year and a half fighting to strike the plea and were ultimately successful. After another year and a second mistrial, the Crown stayed all charges and client remains without a criminal record.
Assault Causing Bodily Harm
R. v. Z.M. | 2020 | HAMILTON
African client was standing outside of a bar when a white male approached and called him a, “Fucking N-.” In what I argued was a measured response, client fractured his orbital bone. The Crown eventually conceded that the response was understandable and in an effort to subvert a 4-day trial, withdrew the charge.
Robbery with a Firearm, Forcible Confinement and Kidnapping
R. v. E.K. | 2020 | HAMILTON
Allegations of an armed kidnapping and robbery invented by the ‘victim’ in order to try and cover up a fraud he participated in. After two days of cross examining the victim, the Crown invited the judge to dismiss all charges.
First-Degree Murder
R. v. B.D. | 2019 | HAMILTON
Client was charged in relation to the stabbing death of a 14-year-old student outside his school. The disclosure revealed that there was no prospect for a conviction against client. After several weeks of discussion, the Crown agreed and withdrew charge.
Domestic Assault
R. v. O.B. | 2019 | BRAMPTON
Client’s wife decided to use the Criminal Justice System as a weapon in their acrimonious divorce. Client acquitted following a two-day trial.
Firearms
Dangerous Weapons, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Mischief.
R. v. A.D. & M.D. | 2019 | TORONTO
Clients charged after admiring their newly purchased airsoft pistols on public transit, when other passengers mistook their pistols for real guns. Originally screened for jail time, after negotiations with the Crown involving the classification of firearms and poor choices for displaying things that look like guns, the Crown agreed to withdraw the charges after the completion of 20 hours of community service.
LESSON:
Do not display anything that looks remotely like a firearm in public, especially in Toronto. Even if it’s perfectly legal.
Cocaine, Firearms
Client charged with Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm x2, after the police raided a trap house and arrested all 8 people found inside.
R. v. T.W. | 2019 | TORONTO
After a nine-day preliminary hearing, we had him discharged of all counts.
Meth, Cocaine, Mushrooms, Stolen Property, and Firearms
Possession of Meth, Cocaine, and Mushrooms for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Firearms x7, Careless Storage of Firearms x7, and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon x3.
R. v. G.S. | 2019 | HAMILTON
Mr. S sat in custody for 3 months when his first lawyer refused to bring a bail hearing because he was charged with 7 firearm offences and possession of over half a pound of Meth. I successfully argued for his bail within two weeks of being retained and all of his charges were stayed 14 months later. Today he remains free, with no criminal record.
Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine and for Proceeds of Crime.
R. v. S.D. | 2019 | HAMILTON
Client arrested after police executed a search warrant on his residence. Prepared and filed a Charter Application alleging that the police lied in their affidavit and used excessive force in executing the warrant. Provided photographs to show the inconsistencies and improper conduct of the police and as a result, all charges withdrawn at the request of the Crown.
Fentanyl
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl.
R. v. D.K. | 2019 | HAMILTON
Client arrested following police investigation into the overdose death of a young woman. Phone records linked client to the deceased on the night of the death. 7 months and two pretrials later, all charges withdrawn by the Crown when the records and surveillance video could not support the allegations.
Assault, Robbery
Aggravated Assault and Armed Robbery.
R. v. D.P. | 2019 | HAMILTON
Client and two friends were caught on HD-quality surveillance video entering a business, armed with handguns and a hammer. They used zip ties to confine two women, and client attacked the owner with a hammer, causing significant injuries to his brain and eye. All three accused were arrested fleeing the scene, in possession of the video system capturing the events, dressed in the same clothing as the robbers. Guilty pleas were entered for all accused. Successfully argued for a 7-year jail sentence following a 2-day hearing with Crown, seeking a 12-year sentence given client’s previous record for similar offences.
First-Degree Murder
R. v. D.M. | 2018 | HAMILTON
Client charged with First-Degree Murder in June 2016. I successfully argued for bail in December 2016. In January 2018, I had his videotaped statement, which included a confession to being at the murder, excluded from trial. In August 2018, the Crown accepted a plea to Manslaughter and in October he was sentenced to 5 years in jail; while one co-accused received a 10-year sentence for Manslaughter and the other was convicted of First-Degree Murder.
Accessory After the Fact to Murder.
R. v. J.M. | 2018 | HAMILTON
Arrested for Murder but charged with being an accessory to the “Good Samaritan” killing outside of a mosque in Hamilton. Negotiations with the Crown resulted in a plea to obstruct justice for a 1-year sentence.
Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine and Proceeds of Crime.
R. v. O.B. | 2018 | BRAMPTON
Client charged in “Project Cartella” with possession of 2 kilograms of Cocaine found in a bedroom closet and Proceeds of Crime in relation to money. Police executed search warrants on his and his girlfriend’s residence; following a 7-month police investigation involving wire taps, tracking devices, and surveillance. Client acquitted of all charges at the end of a 5-day trial.
Heroin
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Heroin and proceeds of crime.
R. v. J.A.B. | 2018 | TORONTO
Client acquitted after a 3-day Superior Court Charter Application challenging the arrest, strip search, and violation of my client’s right to counsel. Judge found the police lied about seeing a dime bag of Heroin in my clients hand and therefore the subsequent strip search in a residential building was unlawful. Evidence excluded: 19 grams of Heroin and cash.
Fentanyl
Production and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Marijuana, and Proceeds of crime.
R. v. T.L. | 2018 | TORONTO
Client and co-accused all acquitted following a Charter Application challenging the search of their business and residence. Police acting on an informant’s tip and the smell of marijuana were granted a search warrant and located over 900 plants, 18 kilograms of dried marijuana, and money. All evidence excluded due to significant constitutional violations.
Second-Degree Murder
R. v. S.G. | 2017 | BRAMPTON
Client charged with stabbing a man four times following a brief exchange behind a plaza in Mississauga. After 6 days of evidence, including the client’s account of having to defend himself, the jury spent 4 days deliberating before finding the client not guilty of Murder.
Assault
Assault Causing Bodily Harm.
R. v. M.N. | 2017 | TORONTO
My client and his two self-represented friends were all acquitted after a 2-day trial at Old City Hall. Within an hour of cross-examining the complainant, he was apologizing to my client from the witness stand for having him wrongfully arrested.
Fentanyl
Importing Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl.
R. v. A.M. | 2017 | HAMILTON
This 52-year old mother with no criminal record was told by her first lawyer to “get comfortable” sitting in jail since she would be spending the next day 8-10 years there. After hiring me, she was out on bail within 1 week and a year later, all of her charges were withdrawn at the preliminary hearing.