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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 Gauthier & Mines, our lawyers have over 50 years combined experience in criminal law. Our practice focuses soley on criminal and criminal-adjacent matters.  Our lawyers 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.

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.

Recent Successes

R. v. R.F. – Richmond Provincial Court

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Charge: Mischief, Causing a Disturbance
Issue: Our client was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct while on an international flight at Vancouver International Airport. What was a just and appropriate sentence in the circumstances?
Result: Upon advising the client to take rehabilitative steps, closely scrutinizing the facts of the case, and extensive negotiation with Crown Counsel, Mr. Gauthier persuaded the Crown to agree to a joint submission for a Conditional Discharge and restitution to the airline for lost time due to the delay of the flight, including negotiating the restitution amount to less than half of what the airline was claiming. No Criminal Record. No Flight Ban.

R. v. N.D. – Port Coquitlam Provincial Court

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Charge: Sexual Assault - SOIRA Early Termination Application
Issue: Whether our client was eligible to be removed from the Sex Offender Registry before the end of his 10-year term.
Result: Mr. Gauthier advised our client on steps to take to maximize the chances of success of the application in court. In court, upon hearing Mr. Gauthier's submissions, the judge ordered that our client was no longer had to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. Client removed from the Sex Offender Registry.

R. v. M.O.B. – Vancouver Provincial Court

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Charge: Fraud Under $5000.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to prosecute and whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction in this ICBC fraud case.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to refer our client to Alternative Measures and to not approve any charge upon our client's successful completion of community work. No criminal record.

R. v. D.M. – Quesnel Provincial Court

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Charges: Mischief(x2), Assault with aWeapon, Threatening.
Issue: Whether a jail sentence was appropriate given our client's rehabilitation.
Result: Mr Johnston was able to persuade Crown to enter stays of proceedings on the assult charges. After hearing Mr. Johnston's submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge.

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

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Charge: Mischief to Property Under $5000 (domestic).
Issue: In light of our client's significant rehabilitation, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown to enter a stay of proceedings, bringing the matter to an end.

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

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Charges: Trespassing at night; Voyeurism.
Issue: Given the significant rehabilitative steps our client had taken, whether a jail sentence was appropriate.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide materials and information to Crown and the Court which ultimately resulted in the Court granting our client a suspended sentence rather than Crown's initial sentencing position.

R. v. C.F. – Creston Provincial Court

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Charges: Sexual Assault; Sexual Interference.
Issue: The credibility and reliability of the child complainant and their family members who testified at this three day trial.
Result: After considering the evidence adduced by Mr. Gauthier's cross examinations of these witnesses, the trial judge agreed that the Crown's case was not strong enough to support criminal convictions. Our client was found not guilty and acquitted of both counts. No jail. No criminal record.

R. v. Y.F. – Vancouver Provincial Court

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Charge: Robbery.
Issue: Whether there was sufficient evidence for Crown counsel to secure a criminal conviction.
Result: Our client was facing a minimum one year jail sentence and a deportation order if convicted. Mr. Johnston was able to persuade Crown counsel that there was no substantial likelihood of a conviction. Crown directed a stay of proceedings . No jail. No criminal record. No dportation order.

R. v. J.S. – Richmond Provincial Court

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Charge: Mischief Under $5000.
Issue: Given the information provided to Crown counsel regarding our client's personal circumstances and the circumstances of the offence, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to allow our client into the Alternative Measures Program without approving a criminal charge. No criminal record.

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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