Dear Mr. Mines,
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the help you have given to our family. It is most reassuring to have your professional guidance and expertise during a most stressful time. As our lawyer, you represented us and advocated for our best interest. You showed us kindness and patience. We cannot thank you enough for the peace of mind you helped restore back into our lives. With gratitude,
J.K.L.
Charge: Assault (domestic).
Issue: Given that the complainant had instigated the altercation, whether it was in the public interest for our client to be convicted of the offence.
Result: We were able to guide our client through a course of rehabilitation and, after hearing Mr. Mines’ submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge and placed him on a non-reporting probation order for six months. No criminal conviction.
Charge: Refusing to comply with a testing demand.
Issue: Given the circumstances of the offence and our client, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed on the lesser Motor Vehicle Act offence of driving without due care. Rather than a criminal conviction and a minimum 12 month driving prohibition, our client was liable to pay a $350 fine and a 2 month driving prohibition. No criminal record.
Charge: Driving While Prohibited.
Issue: Given the circumstances of the offence and our client, whether it was necessary for Crown to proceed with the driving while prohibited charge, which carries a mandatory minimum 12 month driving prohibition.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to persuade Crown to proceed on the lesser Motor Vehicle Act charge of driving without a driver’s licence. After hearing Mr. Johnson’s submissions our client was sentenced to a fine and a 4 month driving prohibition.
Charge: Assault Causing Bodily Harm (domestic).
Issue: Whether the Crown could prove that bodily harm resulted and, whether the rehabilitative steps our client had taken justified the Court granting a conditional discharge.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed on the charge of common assault. After hearing Mr. Mines’ submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge. No criminal conviction.
Charge: Assault; Threatening.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of conviction in this alleged “road rage” case.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to provide information to Crown counsel on our client’s behalf that led Crown to conclude there was no substantial likelihood of conviction. No charge approved. No criminal record.
As we enter into the seventh week of isolation across the country many families are finding that social and physical isolation has had a greater impact on their relationships than they could ever have imagined. Tempers are flaring more than usual. Many people are finding themselves uncharacteristically (and often inexplicably) angry and frustrated, and the only people around to direct those emotions at are their family members.
Charges: Theft Under $5000; Uttering Threats.
Issue: Whether, given our client’s circumstances and remorse, whether it was in the public interest for criminal charges to proceed.
Result: We were able to provide information to police investigators which resulted in police deciding to not forward any charges to Crown. No criminal record.
Charge: Sexual Assault.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to provide information to the Crown on our client’s behalf that persuaded Crown that the case did not meet the charge approval standard. No charge was approved. No criminal record.
Charge: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Marijuana).
Issue: Whether it there was a substantial likelihood of obtaining a conviction.
Result: Upon considering Mr. Johnson’s representations, Crown counsel concluded that there was no longer a likelihood of conviction. Crown withdrew the charge, bringing the matter to an end. No criminal record.
Charge: Application for firearms prohibition and forfeiture.
Issue: Whether Crown could establish that our client posed a risk to himself or others.
Result: Mid trial, Mr. Mines was able to obtain a successful resolution in which our client consented to an 18 month prohibition rather than the 5 years Crown had been seeking. Further, rather than having to forfeit the $15,000 worth of weapons that police seized, Crown agreed to allow our client to sell them to a suitable buyer.
Charge: Possession of proceeds of crime.
Issue: Whether there was any lawful authority to arrest our client and seize funds from him.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to persuade the investigating officer that there was no basis to search our client and to return the $2400 cash that he had seized. No charges approved. Not criminal record.
