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Choosing a Lawyer

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A skilled defence lawyer can certainly have a huge impact on a criminal case. For people who have never been subject to charges, finding the right lawyer can be a very daunting experience. When choosing a lawyer, there are a number of inquiries to make and questions to ask. Ultimately, a person facing criminal charges will want to have trust in their lawyer. In order to gain that trust, the prospective lawyer should be able to satisfy their client that they have the necessary legal knowledge and courtroom skills to obtain a successful result.

Experience Matters

At Mines & Company, our lawyers have over 35 years combined experience in criminal law. Our practice involves 100 percent criminal and motor vehicle defence. Our lawyers both have past experience doing Crown prosecution work. We have the depth of experience to understand how criminal matters are prosecuted and defended. We have the drive and discipline to conduct thorough preparation and legal research in order to obtain successful results, either through negotiated resolution or in the courtroom at trial.

We offer a free, initial consultation so that we can gain your trust. We are confident that we will be able to answer your questions regarding our experience in defending the type of matter you are charged with. Our services include defence of all criminal and driving charges. Our record of success suggests that we, in fact, have had past success in defending charges like yours.

Recent Successes

R. v. Y.T. – Richmond Provincial Court

Charge: Assault; Assault by Choking.
Issue: Given the rehabilitative steps we were able to guide our client through, whether there was a public interest in proceeding with criminal charges.
Result: After providing Crown counsel with our client's  positive psychological counselling report, Mr. Gauthier  was able to persuade Crown counsel to enter a stay of proceedings. No criminal record.

R. v. B.K. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Forcible Entry; Assault.
Issue: Given our client's personal circumstances and the circumstances of the alleged incident, whether ther was a substantial likelihood of a conviction and whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution.
Result: Upon considering the information provided and representations made by Mr. Gauthier, Crown counsel directed a stay of proceedings, brining the matter to an end. no criminal record.

R. v. B.C. – Prince Rupert Provincial Court

Charge: Sexual Assault.
Issue: Whether Crown could prove that the complainant was credible and reliable in this three day trial that involved an allegation of sexual assault.
Result: After Mr. Gauthier vigorously cross examined the complainant, the trial judge accepted Mr. Gauthier's submissions and found our client not guilty. An acquittal was entered. No criminal record; no jail time.

R. v. A.B. – Richmond Provincial Court

Charge: Theft Under $5000.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction and whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution.
Result: After considering Mr. Gauthier's representations regarding the evidence and our client's circumstances, Crown withdrew the charge. No criminal record.

R. v. J.C. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Uttering a threat; Posession of a weapon (knife) for a dangerous purpose.
Issue: Given our client's circumstances and the circumstances of the incident, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to provide Crown with background information about our client and the incident which caused Crown to conclude it was not in the public interest to continue the prosecution. Stay of proceedings. No criminal record.

R. v. M.M. – North Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Theft Under $5000 (shoplifting).
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal prosecution in this $900 shoplifting case.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide information to Crown counsel about our client's personal circumstances, resulting in Crown referring our client to the Alternative Measures program. No criminal record.

R. v. J.Z. & Q.M. – Insurance Fraud Investigation

Charges: Fraud Over $5,000.
Issue: Whether our client's were responsible for approximately $15,000 in false claims unknowingly made in their names by a health care provider.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to settle with the insurance provider. No criminal charges were forwarded against our clients. Mr. Gauthier was also able to assist with the first steps of recovering the funds from the dishonest health care provider. No criminal record.

R. v. V.N. – Surrey Provincial Court

Charges: Sexual Assault (police investigation).
Issue: Whether there was sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Gauthier opposed the police application to extend the time period they could continue to retain seized evidence and he provided advice to our client in steering him through the investigation. The matter concluded with no criminal charges being forwarded to Crown. No criminal record.

R. v. R.T. – Insurance Fraud Investigation

Charge: Insurance Fraud Under $5,000 investigation.
Issue: Given our client's rehabilitation and repayment of disputed claims, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade the insurance company to settle the matter on a civil basis. No criminal charges forwarded. No criminal record.

R. v. G. A.G. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Assault (domestic).
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction in this case.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel that, given the lack of cooperation by the complainant, that there was no prospect of a conviction. Crown counsel did not approve any charges and, on Mr. Mines' representations, agreed to cancel the scheduled court date and to direct police to cancel our client's Undertaking to Appear. No criminal record.

R. v. L.M. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Mischief Over $5000.
Issue: Whether Crown could prove the value of damage alleged to have been caused by our client.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel that because it could not accurately prove the value of damage, and that our client had taken appropriate steps of self-rehabilitation,  Crown elected to not approve any charges. No criminal record.

R. v. H.K. – Port Coquitlam Provincial Court

Charge: Assault.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal prosecution in this "road rage" case.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide information to Crown counsel about our client's personal circumstances and the circumstances of the incident which resulted in Crown staying the charge after our client completed Alternative Measures. No criminal record.
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Gaining Your Trust

During your initial consultation, you will meet with one of our lawyers who will:

  • Confirm the private and confidential nature of all communications between client and lawyer.
  • Gather information regarding the police investigation and any upcoming court dates.
  • Review all relevant court documents including police reports to Crown counsel, Informations to obtain search warrants, and certificates of analysis for drug, breath or blood samples.
  • Gather basic information about you; more specifically, your personal circumstances involving, family, education, and work history! Our goal is to be able to show your best side – the real person behind the allegations.
  • Provide you, in simple language, with an analysis of the law involved in the particular circumstances of your alleged offence. We will review what the Crown must prove in order to gain a conviction. For example, we will explain the “essential elements” of the charge(s) to you. We will explain how we believe the Crown will try to prove the charge. More specifically, we will review the important pieces of evidence – from human witnesses as well as any other evidence – such as video or photographic recordings and any potential evidence from doctors, scientists or mechanical reconstruction experts.
  • Provide you with our opinion of the best strategy (or strategies) to defend your case. Our goal is to obtain the best possible result.

Contact Us Now

If you are being investigated by police or if you’ve been charged with a criminal or driving offence, don’t face the problem alone. The prospect of a criminal record or a jail sentence can be daunting. Even if you think there is no defence, we may be able to help. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Vancouver lawyers, contact us now.

Start with a free consultation.

If you are being investigated by police or if you’ve been charged with a criminal or driving offence, don’t face the problem alone. Being accused of an offence is stressful. The prospects of a criminal record or jail sentence can be daunting. Even if you think there is no defence, we may be able to help. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Vancouver lawyers, contact us now.

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