Scarborough criminal defence — from first call to the Toronto Courthouse.
Spektor Law defends Scarborough residents charged by the Toronto Police Service, at the Toronto Courthouse and the Toronto Region Bail Centre. 30 years of Toronto criminal experience, every file handled personally by Aaron M. Spektor.
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
Where is my Scarborough criminal case heard, and do I need a lawyer?
Scarborough criminal cases are no longer heard at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East. Since February 2023 they go to the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street, with custody bail hearings at the Toronto Region Bail Centre. A criminal lawyer in Scarborough can protect your position from the bail stage onward. Aaron M. Spektor, called to the Ontario Bar in 1997, handles each file personally and offers a free consultation.
Answer by Aaron M. Spektor, criminal defence lawyer · LSO #51731A · called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997
- Court
- Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury St (bail: 2201 Finch W)
- Police service
- Toronto Police Service · OPP on Hwy 401
- Lawyer
- Aaron M. Spektor · LSO #51731A · called 1997
- First step
- Free consultation · (416) 599-1900 · 24/7
Why retain a Scarborough criminal lawyer.
Scarborough criminal charges are laid by the Toronto Police Service divisions covering east Toronto, from Victoria Park to the Pickering border. For decades those cases were heard at the Scarborough courthouse at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East; since February 2023, adult criminal matters from Scarborough are heard at the consolidated Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street, with bail hearings at the Toronto Region Bail Centre on Finch Avenue West.
Aaron M. Spektor has defended Scarborough matters for three decades, first at the Eglinton courthouse and now at the new Toronto Courthouse. The consolidated building has its own rhythm — specific Crown teams, case-management courts, and trial coordinators with their own scheduling priorities. Effective defence requires counsel who knows the system.
We represent Scarborough clients on every category of criminal charge, from impaired driving stopped on Kingston Road to drug investigations in Malvern, assault matters in West Hill, and weapons charges arising near Eglinton and Brimley. The North York office is a short drive from Scarborough via the 401, and phone or video consultations are always available.
For a confidential consultation about a Scarborough 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 East Toronto.
Aaron handles all 16 categories of criminal and quasi-criminal offences. Below are the charges that arise most often in Scarborough 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 Defence Lawyer Scarborough: Court, Bail and Next Steps
What changed for Scarborough accused
For decades, east-end cases were heard close to home. Now a Scarborough charge means appearances downtown at 10 Armoury Street, and a bail hearing for anyone held happens across the city at 2201 Finch Avenue West. For families in Malvern, Agincourt or West Hill, that is a long trip on transit — so planning matters. Sureties need to know where to go and when, and they should bring identification and proof of address. Routine Armoury Street remands can often proceed through counsel or by video, so you do not have to lose a workday travelling downtown for every short appearance. Our bail hearing guide explains what a surety will be asked.
Disclosure and pre-trial in Scarborough files
After the first appearance, the Crown provides disclosure: officer notes, video, statements and forensic reports. In weapons and drug cases from Scarborough, the key question is often how police came to search a car, home or person, and whether that search respected section 8 of the Charter. Those issues are flagged at the Crown pre-trial and the judicial pre-trial, so a trial can be scheduled with time for a Charter application. Our weapons offences page covers firearms charges in more detail.
Local enforcement patterns
Toronto Police RIDE checks often appear on Kingston Road, Lawrence Avenue East and Markham Road, and the OPP patrols the 401 through the east end. Highway stops near the Morningside and Meadowvale interchanges often lead to stunt-driving or impaired charges. A DUI lawyer in Scarborough will want the in-car camera footage and breath-instrument records from the agency that made the stop. Retail theft and fraud allegations from the Scarborough Town Centre area also come through the courts regularly.
First steps, and how Aaron works with east-end clients
In the first 48 hours, follow your conditions, keep away from anyone named in a no-contact order, and avoid posting about the incident. Aaron meets Scarborough clients by video or at the North York office, attends remand dates through counsel where permitted, and appears in person for bail and trial. If you need an assault lawyer in Scarborough, call (416) 599-1900 at any hour.
Results in the charges we defend in Scarborough.
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 Scarborough clients ask before retaining us.
How long does a Scarborough criminal case take?
Most summary-conviction matters resolve within 8 to 14 months from charge. Indictable matters typically run 14 to 24 months. Trial-track files run on the longer end. Since Scarborough matters moved to the Toronto Courthouse in 2023, timelines depend heavily on disclosure and trial-scheduling at the new building.
Can I retain you for a Scarborough charge by phone?
Yes. The retainer process is straightforward and can be completed entirely remotely. We attend the Toronto Courthouse on your behalf; you only need to attend in person where the file requires it (typically trial and certain bail hearings).
Do you handle weapons charges in Scarborough?
Yes. Scarborough sees a substantial firearms docket, and weapons prosecutions require careful Charter analysis of the underlying search. Many loaded-firearm matters fall on s. 8 motions when the police authority to search is properly tested. We do this work routinely.
Charged in Scarborough? Speak with Aaron today.
Free consultation. After-hours and weekend calls answered personally.