Joseph Beller

Associate Lawyer

Joseph Beller

About Joseph Beller

I am a Criminal Defence lawyer at Strategic Criminal Defence. Strategic Criminal Defence is a Full Service Criminal Defence Law Office, with central offices across Western Canada and Toronto.

Practice Philosophy

My practice philosophy is to focus on the person behind the file number. In my practice, every client is provided with a high level of personal focus, ensuring they are involved every step of the way.

For many people drawn into the criminal justice system, the process is confusing and intimidating. My job is not only to help my clients navigate the system but understand it. I am always happy to explain the greater legal context of a charge, ensuring my clients understand the legal principles behind their case and why a certain strategy is best.

I open every file with a detailed intake and initial analysis of a case. As the file proceeds, my clients are kept in the loop with regular updates so they always know what is happening with their file and what their best possible outcome is in every situation.

I get to know my clients closely so I can understand who they are and what led them to me. Every client has a story; it’s my job to ensure it gets told.

Education, Accomplishments, and Career Path

I received my law degree from the University of Calgary. During my degree, I worked as the managing editor of the school newspaper, served as VP Academic on the student council, and was a founding executive of the Criminal Law Society club.

I also worked full-time with Student Legal Assistance (SLA), a pro bono legal clinic assisting low-income and marginalized people with a variety of legal matters. I gained a wealth of knowledge of the criminal justice system prior to graduating and obtained experience representing clients with a number of criminal matters. This has provided me with a level of familiarity with judges, courtroom procedures, and Crown prosecutors far beyond most lawyers of my vintage.

With SLA, I also worked on non-criminal matters, gaining experience advocating in Judicial Dispute Resolution, Academic Misconduct Hearings, Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service Hearings, and civil settlement negotiations. This has provided me with a well-rounded base of experience and advocacy strategies that I utilize with my criminal files.

During law school, I received a number of accolades including:

  • Campbell McLaurin Achievement Award for high academic standing and making a significant contribution to the life of the law school;
  • Groia & Company Criminal Law Bursary for the highest criminal law grades in the class of 2020;
  • Jason Lang Scholarship for a competitive GPA;
  • 7th place ranking in the Justice Bora Laskin Constitutional Law Moot out of 72 oral advocates from across Canada.

I am a current member of the Alberta Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) which provides access to a wellspring of useful information, keeping me apprised of new cases, available defences, and important changes in the law. One of my mentors, Ian Savage, is the long-time president of the CDLA, creating an even larger wealth of resources at my disposal.

I articled with Strategic Criminal Defence prior to becoming an associate, independently running nearly 100 low-complexity criminal and traffic matters and assisting senior lawyers with a number of serious and complex files. This provided experience assessing cases, negotiating resolutions, and preparing for and running trials.

I also have significant experience with pseudo-criminal administrative matters such as Immediate Roadside Sanction reviews and vehicle seizure reviews.

How I can Help

I represent clients across southern Alberta, both in Provincial Court and at administrative tribunals, such as SafeRoads.

I have represented clients in the following practice areas with a high degree of success:

  • Domestic assaults and Violent Crime
  • Fraud Under
  • Firearms Offences
  • EPO, Peace Bond, and Probation Breaches
  • Drug Possession
  • Impaired Driving and Provincial Suspension Appeals (IRS)
  • Theft, Mischief, and Property Offences
  • Provincial Traffic Violations
  • Municipal Bylaw Infractions
  • Young Offenders Charges

I offer flexible payment structures and will work tirelessly to get you the best outcome possible. No matter how you found yourself in this situation, you came to the right place.

If you have been charged with an offence, contact me for a free legal consultation to discuss your options and how I can help.

Joseph Beller

Areas of Practice

  • Impaired Driving and Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS)
  • Criminal Driving Offences
  • Domestic Assaults and Violent Crime
  • EPO, Peace Bond and Probation Breaches
  • Firearm Offences
  • Fraud, Forgery, and Identity Theft
  • Drug Offences including Possession and Trafficking
  • Theft, Mischief and Property Offences
  • Provincial Traffic Violations
  • Municipal Bylaw Infractions
  • Young Offender Charges

Memberships

  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Roster Lawyer, Legal Aid Alberta
  • Calgary Defence Lawyers Association
  • Calgary Bar Association

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2015)
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Calgary (2020)

Client Reviews

Michael Oykhman is a very professional lawyer and the first time I spoke to him he asked about my situation and he gave me some very helpful advice and assistance and also told me his odds of winning this case. During the days I was in contact with micheal I could feel the level of professionalism of him and his team, he is able to respond back to you with any questions you have within 24 hours. In the end he was as successful in helping me win my case as he had initially promised me.If you are still struggling to find a lawyer, I highly recommend Michael Oykhman.

R.W.

Please give yourself a favour and contact Mr. Michael Oykhman if you need any legal advice or if you are in a terrible situation. Even-tough, the odds are not in your favour, still they will go extra miles to help you out in bad situation and get you favourable outcome. Moreover, They will work on your file even after the business hours. I don’t have words to say thanks to Mr. Michael oykhman and Kiran Cheema who had worked on my file and get me out of trouble. I’m very grateful for your assistance and exceptional service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Y.
Laura Bobyn my lawyer was amazing and so supportive of my case and me. She fought with Tenacity to get my victory. It was amazing to hear how knowledgeable and how her attention to every little detail of my case was shown in her defence! She is the best and I would recommend her to anyone of my colleagues or people in my life! Thank you, Laura!
P.D.

This law firm is your go-to!

I had the pleasure of working and trusting my case with Joseph Beller. I had 2 counts against me, and in the end, Joseph was able to present and use his “fighter skills” in court to have my charges lowered to a conditional discharge. On top of this, this firm follows its mission values statement by being ethical, transparent, available, and very friendly. Joseph and his team treated me with the utmost respect from start to finish. Thank you again, Joseph! I hope to never call you again 😊

R.R.

Joseph Beller, from the very beginning when I first contacted and then retained Joseph as my representative I felt I was in good hands. When I emailed him with a question. I got a prompt response. We communicated often on the phone as needed. Joseph kept me informed as to the process. He made sure I knew all the potential results so I knew and could plan for the different outcomes. I know this his his job. But appreciate his professionalism and also his ability to not make me feel any extra stress. Well done.

N.B.
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