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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. vs. V.B. – Vancouver Provincial Court

.Charges: Assault; Uttering Threats (domestic).
Issue: Given the rehabilitative steps we were able to guide our client through, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to provide information to Crown counsel on our client's behalf which resulted in Crown deciding to enterr a stay of proceedings on both charges. Stay of proceedings. No criminal record.

R. vs. T.C.C. – Richmond Provincial Court

Charges: Assault of a Peace Officer.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest for our client to be granted a discharge for his actions in spitting in the face of an RCMP officer at the Vancouver Airport.
Result: Mr. Gauthier presented information to the Court and after hearing his submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge. No criminal record.

R. vs. F.S. – North Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Theft Under $5000.
Issue: Whether Crown could prove the number and value of the electronic devices they alleged our client stole from his workplace.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to allege that the theft involved  only 7 devices worth only $1000. After hearing Mr. Mines submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge. No criminal conviction.

R. vs. M. G. – Sechelt RCMP investigation

Charges: Criminal harassment; Distributing intimate images without consent.
Issue: Whether the Crown could prove the circumstantial evidence they sought to rely on and whether jail was the  appropriate sentence.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to convince Crown counsel to not rely on much of the aggravating evidence and, on our client's guilty plea to not seek a jail sentence. After hearing Mr. Gauthier's submissions, the Court granted our client a suspended sentence with probation. No jail.

R. vs. E.K. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Criminal harassment; Distributing intimate images without consent.
Issue: Whether the Crown could prove the circumstantial evidence they sought to rely on and whether jail was the  appropriate sentence.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to convince Crown counsel to not rely on much of the aggravating evidence and, on our client's guilty plea to not seek a jail sentence. After hearing Mr. Gauthier's submissions, the Court granted our client a suspended sentence with probation. No jail.

R. vs. K.L. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Assault (domestic).
Issues: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction and whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide information to Crown counsel that resulted in Crown electing to stay the proceedings and to end the prosecution. No criminal record.

R. vs. H.S. – Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Assault with a weapon.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide information to Crown counsel which resulted in Crown deciding to end the prosecution not approve any charges.  No criminal record.

R. vs. J.L. – UBC RCMP Investigation

Charges: Assault.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of obtaining a criminal conviction and whether it was in the public interest for police to recommend charges.
Result: Mr. Gauthier was able to provide information to police whic resulted in police closing their investigation. No charges recommended. No criminal record.

R. vs. T.A. – West Shore RCMP investigation

Charge: Assault (Domestic).
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest for the Crown to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Gauthier provided information to Crown Counsel that convinced them not to approve charges against the client. No criminal prosecution. No criminal record.

R. vs. J.S. – Surrey Provincial Court

Charge: Sexual Assault (reduced to common assault.)
Issue: Whether Crown counsel could prove that our client touched the complainant for a sexual purpose.
Result: Mr. Mines was able tp persuade Crown counsel that our client did not intend to touch the complainant in a sexual manner. The Crown agreed to proceed on the lesser charge of common assault and, after hearing Mr. Mines' submissions, the Judge granted our client a conditional discharge. No criminal conviction. No jail. No sex offender registry.

R. vs. N.R. – Sechelt Provincial Court

Charge: Assault Causing Bodily Harm.
Issue: Whether it was in the pubic interest for our client to be sentenced to a conditional discharge for this offence which resulted in a serious facial cut to the complainant.

R. vs. S.K. – Surrey Provincial Court

Charges: Assault; Assault with a Weapon, Breach of a Release Order.
Issue: Whether our client could be released on bail given Crown's concerns for his willingness to attend court and potential to commit further offences.
Result: Mr. Johnston was able to persuade the Judge to release our client on the least onerous conditions.
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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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