Toronto criminal defence — senior counsel for charges across the city.
Spektor Law represents Toronto clients facing every category of criminal charge, at every Toronto courthouse, with 30 years of experience and personal lawyer-led service from intake to verdict.
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 good criminal lawyer in Toronto?
Look for a criminal lawyer in Toronto who appears regularly at the Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury Street, handles bail at the Toronto Region Bail Centre, and will personally run your case from start to finish. Aaron M. Spektor (LSO #51731A) has defended Toronto charges for 30 years. He answers intake calls himself, 24/7, and the first consultation is free and confidential.
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 400-series highways
- Lawyer
- Aaron M. Spektor · LSO #51731A · called 1997
- First step
- Free consultation · (416) 599-1900 · 24/7
Why retain a Toronto criminal lawyer.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and home to the country’s busiest criminal court system. Since February 2023, adult criminal matters in the Ontario Court of Justice for Toronto are heard at the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street, which consolidated the former Old City Hall, College Park, North York, Scarborough and youth court locations. Adult bail hearings are held at the Toronto Region Bail Centre at 2201 Finch Avenue West, and serious indictable trials proceed in the Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue.
Spektor Law has appeared at every Toronto venue continuously since 1997. The work in Toronto is unforgiving — the Crown is experienced, the dockets are dense, and the trial-coordination schedules are tight — which is precisely why representation by counsel who knows the system pays for itself.
Whether you have been charged with an offence at a downtown bar, in a vehicle stop on the DVP, in a residential matter in the Annex, or in a workplace allegation in the Financial District, Aaron M. Spektor handles your file personally from first appearance through resolution. After-hours and weekend intake answered.
Charged with impaired driving? See our dedicated page for an impaired driving lawyer in Toronto, covering Ontario’s 2026 penalties, licence suspension, and the Charter defences that apply. Facing a domestic charge? See our domestic assault lawyer in Toronto page on bail, no-contact orders, and how these files are resolved.
For a confidential consultation about a Toronto 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 City of Toronto.
Aaron handles all 16 categories of criminal and quasi-criminal offences. Below are the charges that arise most often in Toronto 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 04Sexual Offences
Sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation, child-related offences.
Defence approachCriminal Lawyer Toronto: The Armoury Street Courthouse Explained
One courthouse for Toronto criminal cases
Since February 2023, adult criminal cases in the Ontario Court of Justice for the whole city — downtown, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke — have been heard at the Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury Street, behind Osgoode Hall. Bail hearings for people held in custody take place at the Toronto Region Bail Centre at 2201 Finch Avenue West. Serious indictable cases where the accused elects a judge and jury, or a judge alone in the higher court, go to the Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue. Our courts page lists the addresses.
How a Toronto case moves
After a bail hearing or police release, the first appearance is in an Armoury Street case-management courtroom, where initial disclosure is provided. Defence counsel reviews the evidence, meets the assigned Crown, and then attends a judicial pre-trial, where a judge helps narrow the issues and estimate trial time. Many charges are withdrawn, diverted or resolved at these stages. Toronto’s caseload makes delay a live issue, and the Supreme Court’s Jordan ceilings are often raised. Our step-by-step court process guide covers each stage.
Toronto policing patterns
Toronto Police Service focuses late-night enforcement on the Entertainment District, King West and Queen West, where assault and weapons charges often follow bar closing. RIDE programs run on the Gardiner, the Don Valley Parkway approaches and major arterial roads, while the OPP lays charges on the 401, 427 and 400. For drinking-and-driving cases, see our impaired driving lawyer in Toronto page; for charges between partners, see our domestic assault lawyer in Toronto page.
The first 48 hours
Get the paperwork into a lawyer’s hands, follow every release condition, and keep your phone’s contents private. A Toronto criminal defence lawyer can often contact the Crown before the first appearance about conditions that are making it impossible for you to work or care for family. Aaron’s office at 1000 Finch Avenue West is a short drive from the bail centre and a subway ride from Armoury Street, so he can attend either one on short notice, and clients from every part of the city can meet him in person or by video.
Results in the charges we defend in Toronto.
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 defenceSexual assault — Crown withdrew pre-trial
Crown withdrew on the eve of trial following defence cross-examination preparation, complainant prior-statement review, and a successful Mills application.
Sexual Offences 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 Toronto clients ask before retaining us.
Which Toronto courthouse will hear my case?
Since 2023, adult Ontario Court of Justice criminal matters from across Toronto are heard at the Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury Street (near University Avenue and Dundas). Bail hearings for people held after arrest take place at the Toronto Region Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, and the most serious indictable trials are heard at the Superior Court of Justice, 361 University Avenue. We confirm your courtroom at the first conversation and attend on your behalf.
Do you handle bail in Toronto courts?
Yes. Adult bail hearings for Toronto arrests are held at the Toronto Region Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West — minutes from our North York office. Where bail is at issue, we can have counsel ready for first appearance the same day, and prepare a release plan and surety arrangements in advance.
What does an experienced Toronto criminal lawyer cost?
Fees depend on the charge complexity, the volume of disclosure, and whether the matter resolves pre-trial or proceeds to trial. Most retainers are flat-fee or block-fee structured. We discuss fees honestly and in writing at the first meeting, and many resolution paths come in well below the cost a client first imagines.
Charged in Toronto? Speak with Aaron today.
Free consultation. After-hours and weekend calls answered personally.