How to Find a Good Criminal Lawyer in Toronto
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, the lawyer you choose will shape how your case is handled from the first court date onward. A good criminal lawyer focuses on criminal law, has handled charges like yours, clearly explains your options, and is honest about costs and risks. Be cautious of anyone who promises a result before they’ve seen the evidence.
This guide covers when to hire a lawyer, what to look for, warning signs, how to find candidates, what to ask before you sign, and what a criminal lawyer costs in Ontario. It also explains what happens once your lawyer starts work.
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What Does a Criminal Defence Lawyer Do?
A criminal defence lawyer represents people charged with offences under the Criminal Code and other federal and provincial laws. The Law Society of Ontario licenses every lawyer in Ontario as both a barrister and a solicitor. A criminal defence lawyer focuses on defending clients in criminal court.
Much of the work happens away from the courtroom. On a typical file, your lawyer will:
- meet with you to understand your side of the story and your goals
- request and review disclosure, the evidence the Crown plans to rely on, and ask for anything missing
- research the law and identify defences and Charter issues
- meet with the Crown to discuss the case, narrow the issues or explore a resolution
- appear in court for you and keep the case moving
- interview witnesses and prepare for trial
- represent you at trial and, if needed, at sentencing
Our guide to the stages of a criminal case explains each step in more detail.
Criminal defence lawyers handle a wide range of charges, including:
- assault, domestic assault and other violent offences
- sexual assault and other sexual offences
- impaired driving and other driving offences
- drug offences, from possession to trafficking
- theft, fraud and other property offences
- weapons and firearms offences
- homicide, including murder and manslaughter
- charges against young people aged 12 to 17
When Should You Hire a Criminal Lawyer?
As early as you can. If police want to question you, speak with a lawyer first. You have the right to counsel on arrest or detention, and a statement made without advice can become central to the Crown’s case.
Early advice also matters at a bail hearing, where the release conditions set at the start can affect your home, work and family for months.
If you arrive at your first court appearance without a lawyer, the court will normally adjourn the case so you can hire one. Hiring early lets your lawyer request disclosure straight away and start looking for opportunities to resolve the case.
What to Look for in a Criminal Defence Lawyer
A Practice Focused on Criminal Law
Criminal law changes constantly through new legislation and court decisions. A lawyer who handles criminal cases every day is better placed to keep up than one who handles criminal files alongside real estate, wills, or family law.
You can confirm that any lawyer is licensed and in good standing through the Law Society of Ontario’s Lawyer and Paralegal Directory. The Law Society also runs a Certified Specialist programme. Lawyers who meet its criminal law requirements may describe themselves as certified specialists. Plenty of experienced criminal lawyers focus their practice on criminal law without holding that certification.
Experience With Charges Like Yours
Criminal law covers a wide range of offences. A lawyer who regularly defends impaired driving charges may have less day-to-day experience with sexual assault or fraud cases, and the reverse. Ask how often the lawyer handles your type of charge and what issues tend to come up in those cases.
Who Will Handle Your File
At some firms, the lawyer you meet first isn’t the one who handles your case day to day. That can work well, but you should know in advance. Before you sign, ask for a clear answer on who will appear in court for you, who will review your disclosure, and who to contact with questions.
A Clear Plan for Your Case
A good lawyer can explain how they’d approach your case once they’ve seen the disclosure. That means reviewing the evidence and witnesses early, identifying weaknesses in the Crown’s case, and deciding whether to push for a resolution or prepare for trial. Early preparation can create options to resolve a case before trial. Find out how often the lawyer handles your type of charge and what they’d be looking for.
Clear Communication and Availability
You should come away from every conversation understanding where your case stands. Look for a lawyer who explains things in plain language, tells you how and when they’ll update you, and responds within a reasonable time. Criminal charges can arise at any hour, so ask how to reach the lawyer in an emergency.
Honest Advice, Not Promises
The Law Society of Ontario’s rules require lawyers to be accurate and not misleading when they describe their services. A lawyer who promises a withdrawal or an acquittal before reading the disclosure is telling you something they can’t know. The more useful lawyer explains the realistic range of outcomes, including the ones you’d rather not hear, and what could move the case in your favour.
Reviews, Referrals and Case Summaries
A referral from someone who went through a similar case is one of the most reliable starting points. Online reviews can show how a firm communicates and treats clients. Case summaries show the kinds of cases a lawyer handles. Keep in mind that past results don’t guarantee future results, because every case turns on its own facts and evidence.
Familiarity With Local Courts
Your lawyer will need to attend court, meet with the Crown and sometimes interview witnesses. A lawyer who regularly appears in the courthouse where your case is being heard will know its procedures and scheduling, and can attend in person without delay.
Warning Signs When Choosing a Lawyer
Most lawyers you meet will give you honest, careful advice. Still, a few signals suggest you should keep looking:
- A promised result. No one can honestly predict an outcome before reading the disclosure, and the Law Society’s rules require lawyers’ claims to be accurate and not misleading.
- Pressure to sign on the spot. Being charged is stressful. A good lawyer gives you time to compare options and ask questions.
- Vague answers about fees. You should know what you’ll pay, what it covers and what could change it.
- No written retainer agreement. The terms of your representation should be in writing before work begins.
- No clear explanation of your options. If you leave the consultation more confused than when you arrived, that says a lot.
How to Find a Criminal Lawyer Near You
- Ask people you trust. Friends, family or colleagues who went through a criminal case can tell you how their lawyer communicated and handled the file.
- Use the Law Society Referral Service. The Law Society of Ontario’s Referral Service can connect you with a lawyer for a free initial consultation of up to 30 minutes.
- Search online and check the Law Society’s directory. Search for criminal lawyers in your area, then confirm each one’s licence and standing in the Law Society’s Lawyer and Paralegal Directory.
- Read each firm’s website. Look at the charges they defend, how they describe their approach, their case summaries and their reviews.
- Book consultations with two or three lawyers. A conversation tells you far more than a website. Compare how each lawyer explains your situation and what they recommend.
What Happens at a Free Case Evaluation?
Many criminal lawyers, including our firm, offer a free initial consultation. It’s a chance to get preliminary adavice and decide whether the lawyer is the right fit. A typical evaluation will:
- review the charges you’re facing and any documents you’ve received
- explain how your case is likely to move through the courts
- identify early legal issues, including any Charter concerns
- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Crown’s case, as far as they’re known
- outline possible ways the charges could be defended or resolved
- set out next steps, and the fees if you decide to go ahead
What to Bring to Your Consultation
The more information the lawyer has, the more useful the advice will be. Bring:
- your charge papers, like an appearance notice, undertaking or summons
- your release order or bail conditions, if you have them
- any court dates you’ve been given
- any disclosure or letters you’ve received from the Crown
- the names of any witnesses, and any messages, photos or documents that relate to the events
Write down a timeline of what happened while it’s fresh. What you discuss with a lawyer during a consultation is confidential, even if you don’t hire them.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Criminal Lawyer
About experience
- How long have you been practising criminal law?
- Does your practice focus on criminal law?
- How often do you handle charges like mine?
- Do you regularly appear at the courthouse where my case is being heard?
About your case
- What do you see as the main issues in my case?
- What are the realistic outcomes, from best to worst?
- Can you explain my release or bail conditions, and can any of them be changed?
- What will happen at my next court appearance?
- Roughly how long do you expect my case to take?
About working together
- Will you handle my case personally, or will others in your office work on it?
- How will you keep me updated, and how quickly can I expect a reply?
- What are your fees, what do they cover, and what happens to the cost if my case goes to trial?
Bring these questions to a free case evaluation. In one conversation, you’ll find out:
- how the Crown’s case looks from what you know so far
- the realistic options for resolving or defending your charge
- what the fees would be, and what they cover
How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in Ontario?
The cost depends on the charge, the case’s complexity, and whether it goes to trial. A straightforward charge that resolves early costs far less than a contested case with expert evidence and a multi-day trial.
The main factors that affect the cost are:
- the seriousness of the charge and how many charges you face
- the volume of disclosure, like video, phone records or financial documents
- whether expert witnesses or legal applications, like a Charter application, are needed
- whether the case resolves early or goes to trial, and how long the trial runs
Criminal lawyers in Ontario charge in one of two main ways.
- Block fees. A fixed fee for a defined stage of the case, like everything up to a resolution or trial. This makes costs predictable.
- Hourly rates. You pay for the time spent on your file. This can suit cases where the amount of work is hard to predict.
Most criminal lawyers ask for fees in advance, through a retainer, and many firms can spread payments over time. Contingency fees, where the lawyer is paid only if you win, aren’t permitted in Ontario criminal cases.
Price alone isn’t a reliable guide. Compare what each fee includes, who will do the work, and whether trial costs are covered or extra. Our fees page explains how we charge.
If you can’t afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a Legal Aid Ontario certificate, which pays for a private lawyer who accepts Legal Aid work. Eligibility depends on your income and the seriousness of the charge. Duty counsel, lawyers paid by Legal Aid Ontario, are available at most courthouses to help people without a lawyer with bail hearings and early court appearances. They don’t take on a case through to trial.
What Your Retainer Agreement Should Cover
Before your lawyer starts work, you should receive a written retainer agreement. It should set out:
- the legal services included, and those that aren’t
- the fee, how it’s calculated and when it’s due
- what happens to the fee if the case goes to trial
- how either of you can end the relationship
- how and how often you’ll be kept informed
Read it carefully and ask about anything you don’t understand before you sign.
What Happens After You Hire a Lawyer?
Once you’ve signed a retainer, your lawyer will:
- Appear for you in court. Your lawyer files a designation or appears on your behalf, so you don’t have to attend every routine date.
- Obtain and review disclosure. The Crown must disclose the relevant evidence, including police notes, statements, video and photos. Your lawyer reviews it and asks for anything missing.
- Meet with the Crown. At a Crown pre-trial, your lawyer discusses weaknesses in the case and explores options, like a withdrawal, a peace bond, or diversion.
- Attend a judicial pre-trial. A judge meets with both lawyers to narrow the issues and estimate how long the trial will take.
- Prepare for trial, if the case doesn’t resolve. This means preparing cross-examinations, interviewing witnesses and researching legal arguments.
Under R v Jordan, most cases in the Ontario Court of Justice should finish within 18 months of the charge, and cases in the Superior Court, or with a preliminary inquiry, within 30 months. If a case takes longer, the court may order a remedy that ends the case. Our article on possible outcomes of a criminal case explains how cases end.
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Why Clients Choose Pyzer Criminal Lawyers
Jonathan Pyzer founded Pyzer Criminal Lawyers in 2002, and the firm’s practice has focused on criminal defence ever since. Our lawyers include Jonathan Pyzer and Jasmine Mann. Jonathan Pyzer is a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
- More than 150 client reviews that you can read before you contact us.
- Directory listings. Legal Directorate listed the firm as Top Criminal Law Firm in Toronto for 2024, from 61 criminal defence firms it reviewed in the Toronto area. Trust Analytica listed the firm among its Top 10 Criminal Law Firms in Toronto for 2025.
- 24/7 availability for arrests, police questioning and bail.
- A full answer and defence approach. We give an honest assessment at the start, prepare thoroughly, and raise every realistic defence.
You can read about recent outcomes in our case summaries. Past results do not necessarily indicate future results, and outcomes vary with the facts of each case.
Our office is at 1396 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 100, Toronto. We represent clients across the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, Newmarket, Oshawa, Hamilton and Barrie. Consultations are free, confidential and carry no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Lawyer Keep Me Out of Jail?
No lawyer can promise that. A lawyer can work toward outcomes that avoid jail, such as a withdrawal, a peace bond, diversion, an acquittal, or a non-custodial sentence. Whether those are realistic depends on the charge, the evidence, your record and your circumstances.
Do I Still Pay My Lawyer If I Lose?
Yes. Criminal lawyers are paid for the work they do on your case, not for a particular result. That’s also why Ontario doesn’t allow contingency fees in criminal matters.
What Can I Do If I'm Unhappy With My Lawyer?
Raise your concerns with your lawyer directly first, and give them a chance to respond. If you still want to change lawyers, you can hire a new lawyer to take over your file and court dates. If you believe a lawyer has acted unprofessionally, you can complain to the Law Society of Ontario.
How Quickly Can I Speak to a Lawyer After an Arrest?
Right away. When you’re arrested or detained, police must tell you that you can speak to a lawyer and give you a reasonable chance to do so. You can call a lawyer of your choice, or ask to speak with duty counsel, who give free legal advice by phone to people under arrest or detention. Our firm’s line is also open 24 hours a day.
What Should I Tell My Lawyer?
Everything that might be relevant, including the parts you’re worried about. What you tell your lawyer is protected by solicitor-client privilege, so it stays confidential. Your lawyer can only build an effective defence or warn you about risks if they have the full picture. Don’t discuss your case with anyone else, including on social media.
Can a Family Member Hire a Lawyer for Me?
Yes. If you’ve been arrested or held for a bail hearing, a family member or friend can contact a lawyer and arrange the first steps. The lawyer still needs to speak with you directly because you’re the client and you make the decisions about your case.
Is Duty Counsel Enough for My Case?
Duty counsel can give you legal advice and help at a bail hearing or an early court appearance. If your case is negotiated with the Crown or goes to trial, you’ll need a lawyer who can take on the full file, either privately or through a Legal Aid certificate.
Can I Represent Myself in Criminal Court?
Yes, you have the right to. But you’ll be up against a trained Crown prosecutor, and you’ll need to handle disclosure, legal arguments and the rules of evidence yourself. For any charge that could lead to a criminal record or jail, we strongly recommend getting legal advice first. Our guide to your first court appearance explains what to expect.
This article provides general legal information only and should not be read as legal advice. If you have questions about a legal matter, please contact us for a free consultation.
