How long will my case take?

By Last Updated: March 16, 2022

The length of a case is determined by the kind of charges you face, their seriousness, and the complexity of the legal issues to be explored. The length of the case can also be affected by the court and prosecution resources in your particular jurisdiction. In a busy jurisdiction with limited court resources, longer wait times in obtaining a trial date are to be anticipated.

Another factor is the decisions you make while moving your case forward–for example, pleading guilty as opposed to going to trial. You can also impact the amount of time it takes to resolve your matter by providing your criminal defence lawyer will all and any documents they request of you in a timely manner. Sometimes we need additional information either to develop your defence, or we need you to provide us documents that we will forward to the Crown Prosecutor as part of our negotiation and resolution processes. Sometimes we may direct you enter into counselling, to do community service, or to pay a victim of your crime restitution. If we do so, it is only because we believe that it is integral to your defence that such actions are taken. If you do not follow our direction in a timely manner, it may force us to adjourn or set back your matter as proof of counselling or restitution can often be a vital part of a resolution we have sought for you.

If you are proceeding to trial, the Supreme Court of Canada has indicated that most summary conviction (low seriousness) matters should be completed within 18 months unless there are exceptional factors which have contributed to unusual delays. If you have decided to go to trial and your case has taken longer than 18 months, depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to make a special application to have the proceedings against you stayed.

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About The Author

Michael Oykhman

Managing Partner

Michael Oykhman is a senior lawyer and founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a full-service criminal law firm with central law offices across Western Canada and Ontario.

My professional experience consists of countless court appearances and thousands of successful defences and satisfied clients. Over the last 10 years, I have worked to build a law office where all the lawyers share our collective experience, resources, and passion to help people. Our team approach to legal representation is client–rather than only law–centred. We look for opportunities to add value to our clients through strategic thinking and creative solutions.

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Michael Oykhman is a very professional lawyer and the first time I spoke to him he asked about my situation and he gave me some very helpful advice and assistance and also told me his odds of winning this case. During the days I was in contact with micheal I could feel the level of professionalism of him and his team, he is able to respond back to you with any questions you have within 24 hours. In the end he was as successful in helping me win my case as he had initially promised me.If you are still struggling to find a lawyer, I highly recommend Michael Oykhman.

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Ryan Patmore and his team are simply the best. I was bullied by CPS in 2020 and it landed me with three separate charges, assault, refusal to blow and DUI, which all went down as I was parked at a friends. After some research and a conversation with Michael, he directed me towards Ryan and at the time I didn’t know that would be a game changer in my favour! He is honest, transparent, helpful and a brilliant mind. He successfully appealed my license suspension with ATSB and then proceeded to get the crown to dismiss all my charges before trial. I never had to step foot inside a courtroom. If you are in need of a criminal defence lawyer, don’t think twice, get in touch with this firm and ask for Ryan Patmore! The guy is an absolute saviour.

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Joseph Beller, from the very beginning when I first contacted and then retained Joseph as my representative I felt I was in good hands. When I emailed him with a question. I got a prompt response. We communicated often on the phone as needed. Joseph kept me informed as to the process. He made sure I knew all the potential results so I knew and could plan for the different outcomes. I know this his his job. But appreciate his professionalism and also his ability to not make me feel any extra stress. Well done.

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