Hamilton criminal defence — representation at the John Sopinka Courthouse.
Spektor Law represents Hamilton clients at the John Sopinka Courthouse on Main Street East. 30 years of senior criminal trial experience across Southern Ontario.
Legally reviewed by Aaron M. Spektor, Barrister & Solicitor (LSO #51731A) · Editorial policy
- 30 yearsCriminal defence practice in Ontario
- Called 1997Bar of Ontario
- LSO #51731AVerify on the LSO directory
- All courtsThrough the Court of Appeal for Ontario
- 24/7Personal intake · (416) 599-1900
How do I find a criminal defence lawyer in Hamilton?
Start by calling a criminal defence lawyer in Hamilton who appears at the John Sopinka Courthouse, 45 Main Street East, and who will personally handle your bail, disclosure review and trial. Aaron M. Spektor, a criminal lawyer for Hamilton clients with 30 years of experience and LSO #51731A, offers a free, confidential consultation by phone, video or in person, 24/7.
Answer by Aaron M. Spektor, criminal defence lawyer · LSO #51731A · called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997
- Court
- John Sopinka Courthouse, 45 Main St E
- Police service
- Hamilton Police Service · OPP on QEW/403
- Lawyer
- Aaron M. Spektor · LSO #51731A · called 1997
- First step
- Free consultation · (416) 599-1900 · 24/7
Why retain a Hamilton criminal lawyer.
Hamilton is one of Ontario’s largest cities and a major Southern Ontario court centre. Criminal matters arising in Hamilton — from the downtown core to Stoney Creek, Ancaster, and Dundas — are heard at the John Sopinka Courthouse at 45 Main Street East.
Aaron M. Spektor defends Hamilton clients on the full range of criminal charges. The John Sopinka Courthouse is roughly an hour from the North York office via the QEW, and remote consultations make senior representation accessible regardless of distance.
Whether your charge involves impaired driving on the QEW, an assault in the downtown core, or a fraud or drug matter, Aaron brings 30 years of trial experience to every Hamilton file, handled personally from intake to verdict.
For a confidential consultation about a Hamilton criminal charge, contact Aaron M. Spektor or request an appointment online. We answer intake calls personally — after-hours and weekends included.
Criminal charges we defend across Hamilton.
Aaron handles all 16 categories of criminal and quasi-criminal offences. Below are the charges that arise most often in Hamilton files.
Impaired Driving / DUI
Over 80, Refusal, Care or Control — and the Charter motions that win them.
Defence approach 02Assault
Simple assault, assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon.
Defence approach 05Drug Offences
Possession, trafficking, and production under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Defence approach 06Weapons Offences
Possession, unsafe storage, carrying concealed, prohibited and restricted firearms.
Defence approach 07Fraud & Financial Crimes
Fraud under and over $5,000, identity fraud, insurance fraud, breach of trust.
Defence approach 03Domestic Assault
Charges where the complainant is a spouse, partner, or family member — and the bail conditions that follow.
Defence approachCriminal Lawyer Hamilton: Sopinka Courthouse, Bail and Strategy
How a Hamilton case unfolds
Hamilton criminal matters, from Stoney Creek to Dundas, are heard at the John Sopinka Courthouse downtown. An accused held after arrest goes before a justice there, usually within a day, and a surety may need to attend. Those released by Hamilton Police receive a first-appearance date in a case-management courtroom. Disclosure follows, then a Crown pre-trial and a judicial pre-trial, where a judge helps narrow issues and estimate trial time. Our courts page lists the Sopinka address alongside other Ontario venues.
Local enforcement patterns
Hamilton Police Service focuses late-night patrols on Hess Village and the downtown core around King and James, where assault and weapons charges often follow bar closing. RIDE checks appear on the Red Hill Valley Parkway and the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, which are municipal roads policed by Hamilton Police, while the OPP patrols the QEW and Highway 403 through the city. Charges near the McMaster area often involve younger accused with no record. Our article on assault charges in Ontario explains penalties and defences.
First 48 hours after a Hamilton charge
Find out exactly what you are charged with and whether it was laid by Hamilton Police or the OPP. Collect names and numbers of anyone who saw the incident, and ask whether nearby businesses have video before it is overwritten. If you are a student, wait for legal advice before responding to a university conduct inquiry. If police seized your phone, talk to your lawyer before doing anything with its accounts, and do not delete messages stored on other devices or in the cloud.
Working with Aaron on a Hamilton file
Hamilton is roughly an hour from the North York office by the QEW or 403. Most clients begin with a video consultation, disclosure is shared securely, and routine remands can usually proceed through counsel. Aaron attends the Sopinka Courthouse himself for bail, pre-trials and trial, and tells you ahead of time whether a given date needs you there. Clients charged in Burlington, just across the bay, are handled through Halton courts instead. Whether you need a DUI lawyer in Hamilton or an assault lawyer in Hamilton, call (416) 599-1900.
Results in the charges we defend in Hamilton.
Selected, anonymized outcomes. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome — every matter is assessed on its own facts.
Over 80 — Charter motion successful
Breath readings excluded under s. 24(2) after a successful s. 8 and s. 10(b) Charter application at trial. Crown was unable to proceed; charges dismissed.
Impaired Driving defenceDomestic assault — PARS completion
Charges stayed following successful Partner Assault Response completion and a defence-led complainant communication plan through proper channels.
Domestic Assault defenceAssault causing bodily harm — self-defence
Acquittal at trial on a full self-defence claim under section 34. Crown's evidence on intent and proportionality did not displace reasonable doubt.
Assault defenceWhat Hamilton clients ask before retaining us.
Where is the Hamilton criminal courthouse?
The John Sopinka Courthouse is at 45 Main Street East in downtown Hamilton. It hears criminal matters for the City of Hamilton and surrounding communities.
Do you handle Hamilton matters regularly?
Yes. Aaron defends Hamilton and Southern Ontario clients across the full range of criminal charges and attends the John Sopinka Courthouse for client files.
How do I start?
Call (416) 599-1900 for a confidential consultation. After-hours and weekend calls are answered, and most Hamilton clients begin by phone or video.
Charged in Hamilton? Speak with Aaron today.
Free consultation. After-hours and weekend calls answered personally.