If you have been charged with a criminal offence, your freedom is on the line. Since you are visiting our website, it is likely that you or a family member have been charged with a criminal offence. In Canada, a criminal conviction can have devastating consequences such as the loss of friends, family, immigration status, employment opportunity, and personal self-worth.

We believe your future is worth fighting for.

While your situation may seem hopeless, remember that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A number of legal options are at your disposal. Our team of experienced criminal defence lawyers are standing by to assist you in navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system.

If you are ready to act, request a free consultation today to speak with a criminal defence lawyer.

If you or a Loved One Has Been Charged with a Crime

Every client and their circumstances are unique. We understand that there is no “one size fits all” approach and are diligent in ensuring every client receives a personalized plan of action to address any criminal charge they are facing.

Our first step with any new client is to listen. Understanding the exact circumstances that led to you receiving a criminal charge is necessary in being able to determine a strategy we believe will most likely result in the best outcome. It is also important that we recognize your goals in addressing the criminal charge which may include avoiding jail time, avoiding a criminal record and/or having a fine reduced.

After we are satisfied we have an in-depth understanding of your situation, we will discuss next steps and outline the strategy we believe would be in your best interest. This may include proceeding to trial, attempting to reach a resolution with the Crown, or pleading guilty to a lesser offence and sentence.

Most importantly, no matter what avenue we take, it will be with your instruction and confidence that it is the right strategy for you.

Criminal Defence Statistics in Edmonton

In 2021, Edmonton Police Services reported 174,094 occurrences, meaning an incident that required a police report and may have resulted in a criminal or non-criminal investigation. With a population of 1.1 million in 2021, this means a staggering 15.8% of Edmontonians were involved with the Edmonton Police Service and may have ended up under investigation for a criminal charge. This does not account for the thousands more who are impacted by the result of an investigation including friends and family of the individual charged.

We understand that with a multitude of online resources in today’s society it may seem easier to represent yourself in the criminal justice system, however it cannot be overstated that the material available online is vast and may not be correct. Furthermore, it is unlikely to provide the level of detail required to give you the confidence you will need in order to represent yourself.

Our team in Edmonton is not only passionate about representing you, we also do it in a way that ensures you remain in control of the process and within a budget that respects your financial situation.

Focused on Service

Ensuring your rights are thoroughly defended requires more than an understanding of the Criminal Code. Taking the time to understand every detail of your case and the circumstances is equally as important.

We aim to provide top-quality, personalized service for every client, understanding that all clients are different. Taking the time to meet with you, learn about you, ask questions, and recognize all the potential legal arguments in your case forms the foundation of our relationship with you and allows us to ensure we can fight for the best outcome in your case.

Each of our lawyers not only takes the law seriously, but they are also zealous advocates who are genuinely invested in everyone they represent. Having a constant understanding of your interests and needs, paired with an open line of communication allows us to provide a high level of service and a smooth process during an anxiety-ridden and often frightening time in your life.

Flexible Payment Structures

Requiring the assistance of a criminal lawyer is often unexpected and frequently associated with immediate concerns about how and if you can afford legal representation.

Our team seeks to ease those concerns by providing you with a free initial consultation as well as offering flexible fee structures and payment plans with the goal of accommodating every budget.

We offer a diverse legal team with varying fee levels so we can accommodate your budget without compromising your defence. No matter who you retain, our team works together to ensure no stone is left unturned during your case and the best outcome can be reached.

Understanding Criminal Defence Proceedings in Edmonton

Of the many questions swirling in your head after being charged with a criminal offence, it is likely one of the most prominent is “what now?” Hiring a defence lawyer as soon as possible can help alleviate those concerns by taking the weight off your shoulders and allowing your lawyer to guide you through all your questions.

Each of our team members seeks to ensure your process and experience with the criminal justice system proceeds as smoothly as possible. Our first step is to complete a thorough initial consult that gives us an in-depth look into your case, your circumstances in life and who you are as a person. Immediately following, we will ensure all your disclosure is provided. This means any evidence the Crown seeks to use in their case against you.

Once we have completed a detailed review of your disclosure, we will discuss what we believe to be the best avenue moving forward and ensure all questions and concerns are addressed. This may include proceeding to trial, attempting to reach a resolution with the Crown or pleading guilty to a lesser offence.

No matter what, we are committed to ensuring you are fully informed every step of the way and understand all aspects of whatever avenue you decide to proceed with.

Why Choose Us?

Our firm has over 500+ five-star Google reviews.

We are one of the largest criminal defence teams in Western Canada.

Our lawyers have over 60 years of combined legal experience.

We have defended clients in over 10,000 cases.

We offer flexible payment structures and fee plans.

Our team is available 24/7 to provide help and support.

Practice Areas

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving is one of many criminal driving charges that can be filed against drivers in Edmonton. In 2021, 731 adults were charged with impaired driving by Edmonton Police Service alone. This does not consider charges by RCMP in rural areas however all law enforcement agencies are on high alert for these charges.

Domestic Violence

A charge is considered domestic in nature if it involves violence against a family member or a current/former romantic partner. Domestic violence in Edmonton has risen 13.5% from 2019-2020 and although this is thought to be related to the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, Edmonton Police Service will not hesitate to investigate and charge suspects reported for this type of offence.

Violent Offences

Violent offences result from alleged harmful events between people. These include assault, choking and manslaughter. Edmonton Police Service has indicated a 12% increase in violent crimes from 2020 to 2021, suggesting local police will continue to thoroughly pursue charges against these types of crimes.

Drug Offences

Drug charges are offences which arise from an interaction with an illicit drug or substance including possession, trafficking, distribution, and importation. Edmonton is dedicated to uncovering these types of crimes and has significant resources at its disposal to do so including the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Section.

Youth Offences

Youth offences are primarily addressed through the Youth Criminal Justice Act which aims to rehabilitate young people and reduce youth crime. In Edmonton, programs such as DIVERSIONfirst support youth who have committed their first non-violent offence and support them through restorative justice instead of a criminal charge.

Assaulting A Peace Officer

Administration of justice offences includes Criminal Code violations of failure to comply with conditions, prisoner unlawfully at large, failure to appear, and breach of probation. Given recent concerns over breaches of probation and bail conditions, Edmonton Police Service take these charges seriously and are more likely to lay charges.

Criminal Driving

Criminal driving encompasses multiple motor vehicle offences in the Criminal Code and is different from charges under the Traffic Safety Act of Alberta. In Edmonton, offences such as dangerous driving causing death can have serious repercussions including significant jail time.

Assault & Threats

Assault is a serious charge whereby someone applies force (directly or indirectly) to a person without their consent. The maximum penalty for an indictable offence is 10 years behind bars. 2022 statistics in Edmonton indicate neighbourhoods such as Downtown Edmonton, Norwood and Central McDougall have some of the highest rates of assault charges in the city.

Sexual Offences

Sexual offences include sexual interference, exploitation, and most commonly sexual assault. A sexual offence is committed when the complainant did not consent to the activity that forms the subject matter of the charge. The Sexual Assault Section investigators in Edmonton are dedicated to investigating these crimes and do not hesitate to press charges against those they suspect have been involved.

Property Crimes

Crimes against property are serious charges in Canada. In particular, Edmonton has been noted as having a significantly higher rate of property crimes than the rest of Canada, including breaking and entering, theft of property and vandalism.

Traffic Crimes

Traffic offences and violations are breaches of provincial legislation that can result in significant fines, driving suspensions or jail time. Edmonton statistics from 2018 indicate 378,619 speeding tickets were issued by photo and laser radar.

Fraud

Fraud is a type of non-violent property offence that covers a broad range of acts, such as using another person’s credit card without their knowledge or consent, falsifying insurance or employment-related records, or engaging in complex schemes that result in a substantial financial loss to an individual or a corporation.

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Client Reviews

Ellen did wonderful stuff for me and got my charges stayed she is an awesome lawyer and I would recommend her too anyone thank you so much for your help this past year

S.

Best lawyer in town I highly recommend DAN and his team they went above and beyond on my case best experience with this law firm highly highly recommend

F.E.

I highly recommended Jessica she got all my charges withdrawn and I didn’t even have to show up to one court hearing she took care of everything so I got to stay working and didn’t have to miss a day the only time I was going to have to show up was trial but it didn’t get that far before she got all charges withdrawn if I could give them a ten I would best lawyer I’ve ever had and actually tried to get them withdrawn not just get me fines and on probation!!!

J.A.

I’m glad I made the right choice to retain the legal services of Mr. Daniel Murphy who represented me in a very difficult criminal case that was very hard to beat due to the circumstances surrounding the case. Mr. Murphy advised me wisely and approached the matter with a well-planned legal strategy. He is well versed with the law and plans ahead. I’m grateful for the depth of intellect he has brought to the court. He is firm, fair and understands the tactics of the crown prosecutors and will not be caught unaware of their plans.

I.A.
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Successful Cases

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

Failure to Provide a Breath Sample

Charge Stayed;
No Criminal Record

Case Number: 75790038

VIEW ALL SUCCESSFUL CASES

Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on your priorities and the nature of your case, the cost to retain one of our lawyers at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton may vary.

The cost of a criminal lawyer ranges based on the experience of the lawyer you retain and the kind of help you require. For example, services rendered prior to or in preparation of trial may cost you from anywhere between $2,500 to $15,000. If your case goes to trial, additional fees may be warranted.

To have a better understanding of our payment structures, it may be of benefit to you to schedule a free consultation. In this 30-minute consultation, we can discuss payment options and payment plans so that money is not the reason you are unable to adequately defend yourself against a criminal charge.

At Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton, our lawyers are dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services. Our team of lawyers have extensive knowledge in criminal law and will be able to help you resolve your criminal case.

Our lawyers can provide you timely advice regarding court processes, your communication with police, navigating any court-ordered sentence(s), or appealing a conviction.

Whether you are charged with fraud, sexual assault, internet-based offences, trafficking, or impaired driving, our lawyers at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton will thoroughly analyze your case and structure our representation strategy to accommodate your needs.

We are committed to exhausting all options in trying to evade an entry on your criminal record and to attending to your interests every step of the resolution process.

Our lawyers will prioritize the approach that is most appealing to you. For instance, if you do not wish to plead guilty and would like to proceed to trial, we will give the utmost consideration to this instruction while also advising you about the best possible alternatives.

A criminal record in Edmonton can easily be damaging to your social, mental, and physical health. This is because a criminal record may restrict the freedoms you enjoy and can adversely affect your job prospects, your immigration status, and your mobility.

For instance, if you are convicted of a criminal offence, it is possible that you can be given jail time. You may also become a part of the offenders’ lists that law enforcement institutions in Canada utilize. A criminal record may also make it more difficult for you to adopt children or to secure custody over your children.

A prior criminal record may also make it so that you are penalized more severely for any subsequent offences you commit.

This is why we at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton prioritize not having any criminal charges appear on your criminal record, apart from reducing your sentence if you are given one.

While surface-level criminal background checks will not show charges which you were found to be innocent of, more thorough criminal background checks will list every criminal offence you have been charged with over your lifetime, regardless of whether these charges resulted in convictions.

A Vulnerable Sector Check, for example, can be conducted by Edmonton Police Services. These checks may include information about your involvement with the criminal justice system that is not related to the sentences you have served or the court-ordered penalties you have been subjected to.

You may be asked to have a Vulnerable Sector Check conducted if you are a candidate for an employment position at an organization that services vulnerable individuals, like minors or the elderly.

For these reasons, if you have reason to believe that you will be charged with a criminal offence, it is imperative that you seek out legal advice from a qualified criminal defence lawyer.

Given that being charged for a criminal offence is an overwhelming and stressful ordeal, it is important that you hire the right lawyer for you.

At Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton, we offer a free consultation in which we will be able to provide you with as much advice as we can. This will give you a better perspective about how to resolve your case and the next steps you should take.

This consultation is useful because it will allow you to decide whether the services we offer meet your needs, at no expense to you.

Our focus areas at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton include fraud, sex crimes like sexual assault, sexual exploitation and sexual interference, internet-based offences like child luring and child pornography, drug trafficking and simple possession, domestic assault and violent crime, impaired driving, and robbery.

However, we are not limited to practicing in these areas of criminal law.

Our lawyers at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton have successfully represented individuals charged with a variety of criminal offences like firearms and weapons offences, domestic violence, aggravated assault, criminal driving, traffic crimes and traffic violations, breaking and entering, and breach of probation.

For a more thorough list of the areas in criminal law that we have experience in, visit our homepage. For more detail about the successful cases we have defended, visit our Successful Cases page.

 

Yes! Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton does provide legal aid services to those who are eligible. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. This means that not every application that is submitted is guaranteed to be accepted. Referrals are also required for our legal aid programs.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for legal aid, you can schedule a free consultation which will provide you with a better understanding about the application and evaluation process.

Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton does offer payment plans and payment options for trial costs. For instance, if you choose not to plead guilty and would like to challenge the criminal offence you have been charged with, your case will likely proceed to trial. The fees for this service can be paid to us in monthly installments, which may alleviate the burden of having to pay for trial all at once.

Our philosophy at Oykhman Criminal Defence in Edmonton is that money should not be the sole reason an individual is unable to obtain criminal defence counsel.

This is why we try our best to match clients with the lawyer that meets their budget requirements without foregoing or compromising on the quality of legal service that is provided. For instance, we may refer a client to a junior-level lawyer whose fees are lower than mid-level associates and senior partners.

In retaining our junior lawyers, you will still have behind you the expertise and knowledge of our entire firm.

Fortunately, our lawyers use a flat rate system as opposed to charging on an hourly basis. The benefit of this is that there is increased transparency: you will know very early on the entire costs of our services. These fees will not be subject to change regardless of how long it takes us to fulfill the specified service.

We serve the Edmonton area and all the communities in the Greater Edmonton Area including but not limited to Beaumont, Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and Spruce Grove.

Our services are also available to individuals residing in Red Deer and Fort McMurray.

Our Edmonton office is conveniently located downtown which means that we are accessible to all communities in northern Alberta.

We also service every court center across Alberta.

You can also give us a call at (587) 930-7877 to speak to one of our representatives directly.

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