Criminal law, explained.
Practical guidance from a Toronto defence lawyer.
Plain-language articles on charges, defences, bail, your rights, and how the Ontario criminal courts actually work — written by Aaron M. Spektor. None of this is legal advice; for that, speak with Aaron directly.
Legally reviewed by Aaron M. Spektor, Barrister & Solicitor (LSO #51731A) · Editorial policy
Being a Surety in Ontario: Responsibilities and Risks (2026)
Asked to be a surety at a bail hearing? Here is what a surety in Ontario promises, what the court asks, how a pledge can be forfeited, and how to remove yourself as a surety.
Read articleCan I Cross the US Border With a Criminal Record or Charge? (Canada, 2026)
A Canadian criminal record — or even a pending charge — can affect travel to the United States. A Toronto defence lawyer explains pardons, DUIs, cannabis, the I-192 entry waiver, and why your case outcome matters.
Uttering Threats Charge in Ontario: Penalties & Defences (2026)
An uttering threats charge can follow a single angry text or remark. Here is what section 264.1 requires, the 2026 penalties in Canada, and how these cases are defended and resolved in Ontario.
Absolute vs. Conditional Discharge in Canada: What Happens to Your Record (2026)
A discharge means a finding of guilt without a conviction. Here is how absolute and conditional discharges differ, who qualifies, and when they disappear from the RCMP database.
Peace Bond in Ontario: Section 810 Explained (2026)
A peace bond can end an assault, threats or domestic charge without a conviction. Here is what a section 810 peace bond is, its conditions, how long it lasts, and what it means for your record.
Stunt Driving in Ontario: Penalties, Licence Suspension & Defences (2026)
Driving 40–50 km/h over the limit, or 150 km/h anywhere, is stunt driving in Ontario. Here is what happens at the roadside, what a conviction costs, and how these charges are defended.
Arrested in Ontario? Your Rights and What to Say to Police (2026)
What you say in the first hours after an arrest can shape your entire case. Here is a plain-language guide to your rights in Ontario — the right to silence, the right to a lawyer, searches, and what happens next.
How to Get a Criminal Record Suspension (Pardon) in Canada (2026)
A criminal record can follow you for years — into job applications, volunteer screening, and travel. Here is how a record suspension (formerly a pardon) works in Canada in 2026: who qualifies, how long you must wait, and how to apply.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped in Ontario? How Charges Get Withdrawn (2026)
The most common question after a charge: can it be dropped? In Ontario, the answer depends on the Crown — and on what your lawyer can show. Here is how criminal charges actually get withdrawn, stayed, or resolved without a conviction.
Refusing a Breathalyzer in Ontario: Penalties & Defences (2026)
Many drivers believe that refusing a breath test is a way around an impaired driving charge. It isn't. Here is what refusal means in Ontario in 2026, the penalties, and the defences that can apply.
Sexual Assault Charges in Ontario: Process, Penalties & Defences (2026)
A sexual assault allegation is among the most serious and stressful charges a person can face. Here is a measured guide to how these cases proceed in Ontario in 2026 — the process, the potential penalties, and how they are defended.
The Criminal Court Process in Ontario: First Appearance to Pre-Trial & Trial (2026)
If you have been charged, the months ahead can feel like a maze. Here is a plain-language 2026 guide to how a criminal case actually moves through the Ontario courts — from the first appearance and disclosure to the Crown and judicial pre-trials, resolution, and trial.
What Happens at a Bail Hearing in Ontario? A 2026 Guide
If a loved one has been arrested and held, the bail hearing is the most important early moment in the case. Here is exactly how bail works in Ontario in 2026 — the grounds, the role of a surety, the conditions, and what to do if bail is denied.
Assault Charges in Ontario: Penalties, Defences & What to Expect (2026)
An assault charge in Ontario can range from a shove in a bar to a serious aggravated-assault allegation — with very different consequences. Here is how assault is defined and prosecuted in 2026, the penalties, and the defences that work.
Charged with Drug Possession in Ontario? What to Expect in 2026
A drug possession charge can carry lasting consequences for work, travel, and immigration — but the way these cases are prosecuted has shifted. Here is what a possession charge means in Ontario in 2026, and the defences that apply.
Shoplifting & Theft Under $5,000 in Ontario: Penalties and Your Record (2026)
A shoplifting or theft-under-$5,000 charge feels minor, but it is a criminal offence that can leave a permanent record. Here is what these charges mean in Ontario in 2026, the truth about those 'civil recovery' letters, and how first offenders can avoid a conviction.
How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in Toronto? (2026 Guide)
One of the first questions people ask after being charged is what a criminal lawyer will cost. Here is an honest 2026 guide to how criminal defence fees work in Toronto — flat fees vs hourly, what drives the price, Legal Aid, and how to compare quotes.
Domestic Assault Charges in Ontario: Bail, No-Contact Orders & Defences (2026)
A domestic assault charge in Ontario moves fast: police almost always lay it, release comes with a no-contact order, and you may be ordered out of your own home. Here is how the process works in 2026 — and the defences that can end it without a record.
First DUI in Ontario: Penalties, Licence Suspension & Defence Options (2026)
A first impaired driving charge in Ontario brings an immediate licence suspension, mandatory minimum penalties, and a permanent criminal record on conviction. Here is exactly what you face in 2026 — and the defences that a careful review of the evidence can reveal.
Charged with Impaired Driving in Toronto? What Happens Next
An impaired driving charge triggers an immediate licence suspension and a criminal court process that moves quickly. Here is what to expect in the first days and weeks — and why the disclosure matters more than the breath reading.
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Articles are general information. For advice on your specific matter, speak with Aaron directly — consultations are confidential.
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