Criminal Lawyers in Edmonton

Verdicta LLP's criminal lawyers in Edmonton defend clients charged with offences of every kind — from assault, sexual offences and drug charges to fraud, weapons and impaired driving. We represent clients in the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King's Bench throughout Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc and the surrounding area.

Charges we defend

• Assault & domestic assault
• Sexual offences
• Impaired & dangerous driving
• Drug offences
• Weapons offences
• Theft, fraud & property offences
• Breach & administration of justice offences
• Regulatory & provincial offences
• Youth criminal matters

Criminal defence in Edmonton, from arrest to verdict

A criminal charge can affect your freedom, your job, your immigration status and your ability to travel. Every file we take on gets the same careful attention: we review the Crown's evidence line by line, look for Charter breaches and weaknesses in the case against you, and build a strategy around the outcome that matters most to you.

We appear in the Alberta Court of Justice (formerly Provincial Court) and the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, in Edmonton and surrounding communities.

How a criminal case moves through Alberta's courts

1. Arrest and release. Police may release you with an appearance notice or undertaking, or hold you for a bail hearing. If you are held, the law requires that you be brought before a justice without unreasonable delay, generally within 24 hours.
2. First appearance. We go on the record as your counsel and appear on your behalf, adjourning the matter to obtain and receive disclosure and to begin discussions with the Crown prosecutor.
3. Disclosure review. The Crown must provide the evidence it intends to rely on — police notes, statements, video and forensic reports. This is where most defences are built.
4. Election and plea. For more serious (indictable) charges you may choose trial in the Alberta Court of Justice, or in the Court of King's Bench before a judge alone or a judge and jury. We explain the strategic differences before you decide.
5. Resolution or trial. Many cases resolve through withdrawals, stays, diversion or negotiated pleas. When a case goes to trial, we prepare thoroughly — cross-examining witnesses and challenging evidence that was improperly obtained.
6. Sentencing. If there is a finding of guilt, we advocate for the least restrictive sentence available, such as a discharge, suspended sentence or conditional sentence order.

Protecting your Charter rights

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects you from unreasonable search and seizure (s. 8), arbitrary detention (s. 9), and guarantees your right to speak to a lawyer without delay on arrest (s. 10(b)) and to a trial within a reasonable time (s. 11(b)). Under the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R. v. Jordan, delay beyond 18 months in the Alberta Court of Justice or 30 months in the Court of King's Bench is presumptively unreasonable. When your rights are breached, we bring applications to exclude evidence or stay the charges.

Criminal charges we defend in Edmonton

Assault and domestic assault

From common assault to assault causing bodily harm and domestic (intimate partner) assault, our Edmonton assault lawyers examine the evidence, the witnesses' accounts and any self-defence issues, and deal with no-contact release conditions that can keep you out of your home.

Sexual assault

Sexual offence allegations carry serious consequences and require experienced, discreet defence. We have defended sexual assault charges through trial, including before a judge and jury.

Drug charges

Possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking and production charges often turn on how police obtained the evidence. We scrutinise searches, warrants and detentions for Charter breaches.

Theft, fraud and property offences

Theft, fraud, possession of stolen property and mischief charges can affect your employment and immigration status. We look for weaknesses in identification and intent, and pursue diversion where available.

Weapons offences

Firearm and weapons charges can carry significant penalties. We challenge the search, the evidence of possession and the classification of the weapon.

Impaired and dangerous driving

We defend Criminal Code impaired driving, over 80, refusal and dangerous driving charges, as well as SafeRoads Alberta sanctions. DUI lawyers in Edmonton →

Bail hearings

If you or a family member has been arrested and held for bail, act quickly. We build a release plan that answers the Crown's concerns — a surety, residence, conditions and supervision — and argue for release on the least onerous terms possible. Many bail matters can be resolved by consent without a contested hearing. Bail hearing lawyers in Edmonton →

Diversion and alternatives to a criminal record

For some first-time or lower-level offences, Alberta Crown prosecutors may agree to alternative measures (diversion). If completed, the charge is withdrawn and no conviction is entered. Other outcomes — such as peace bonds, absolute or conditional discharges — can also avoid a criminal conviction. We explore every option before trial.