If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence in Saskatchewan, we can help.

We are a dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in Saskatchewan with office locations in both Regina and Saskatoon. Each of our lawyers has diverse backgrounds ranging from working in the Crown Prosecutor’s office to the Ministry of Justice to Legal Aid.

When you retain one of our lawyers, you have behind you the knowledge and expertise of our entire firm.

When you are charged with a criminal offence, you may not know how to proceed in order to avoid an entry on your criminal record. Our firm can assist you in navigating this process, which can be difficult for those who are not armed with the expertise of a criminal defence lawyer.

The criminal justice system can be complex and bureaucratic. There may be legal jargon you need to parse through, a slew of paperwork that must be completed, and police and correctional officers that will require your cooperation.

If you are considered a suspect in a criminal investigation or you have been detained by police, you will need a diligent lawyer who is not only knowledgeable in law but who understands how to communicate effectively and who can be the best advocate for you.

It is not enough for a lawyer to be well-versed in black-letter law. You need someone who is dedicated to advocacy. Our lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan each have their own approach to advocacy (which you can find under their profiles on our homepage) and are committed to accommodating the best interests of their clients.

What areas of law does Strategic Criminal Defence focus on?

Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan focuses exclusively on criminal defence. This means that we have lawyers who have dedicated their entire careers to understanding the ins and outs of criminal law and who are particularly qualified in this area of law.

In other words, we are not generalists. We have homed in on criminal law and are continuously upgrading our skills in this field. We are particularly adept at detecting nuances in the law as new legislation is enacted.

This will be of benefit to you because you can trust that our legal advice is sound and backed by experience and competency.

Supporting Clients in Rural Communities

The province of Saskatchewan is unique in that it has a comparatively large rural population. In fact, it has been reported that Saskatchewan has the greatest number of rural municipalities in Canada.

Saskatchewan is also home to many Indigenous communities who live in remote areas, both on and off reserves.

At Strategic Criminal Defence, we are aware of the significant challenges that face both rural and Indigenous communities, not the least of which is the fact that underprivileged individuals are disproportionately represented in the Canadian criminal justice system.

This is why our team of lawyers is dedicated to serving and supporting clients who reside outside of Regina and Saskatoon and who may not necessarily have the easiest access to the court system. Our lawyers service many of the northern communities of Saskatchewan and are committed to making access to justice more convenient for individuals in rural communities.

For example, one of our lawyers has extensive experience servicing the rural community of La Ronge. This reflects our efforts to support clients in rural communities and to try to ensure that they continue to be active participants in the legal system.

What Do I Do If Arrested By The Police?

When you are arrested by the police, it is important to remember that you have a Charter right to silence. This means that you do not need to divulge any information to the police about whether or not you are innocent or guilty of an offence.

When police arrest an individual, they may ask for their name, address, and phone number. The only obligation you have is to provide this information to the police and then to inform the arresting officers that you would like to enforce your right to silence.

It is important that you remain calm when communicating or interacting with police officers. If you are unnecessarily violent or offensive, you may incur other criminal charges. To avoid this, you must remain collected and polite.

It is in your interest to state to the arresting police officers that you do not want to answer any questions and that you do not consent to any searches of your home, your car, or your person.

Remember that if the police do not have a search warrant, they cannot unlawfully search through your belongings or possessions.

Should You Speak to the Police?

You should avoid relaying any kind of information to the police. In doing so, you may in fact be giving them information that they can use against you.

You should reserve telling your side of the story to your lawyer or to a judge in a courtroom. Your lawyer will be looking out for your best interests and will be able to appreciate your honesty without taking advantage of you.

When police detect that an individual is willing to cooperate, they will try to collect as much information from that individual and take their time in questioning them. This can be psychologically exhausting, given the harmful techniques that police may utilize during interrogations.

For example, the Reid technique, which many police agencies in Saskatchewan employ, is an interrogation method that makes it incredibly difficult not to confess to a crime.

Police will isolate their suspect, falsely accuse them of being guilty, suggest that they have evidence which proves their blameworthiness and then absolve the suspect of any wrongdoing so that they can feel more comfortable confessing.

For this reason, it is important to convey to police that you do not wish to cooperate. It is likely that any line of questioning will stop after you have made this clear.

When police officers recognize that someone is not willing to cooperate, it is less likely that they will hold them in custody (or they will hold them in custody for far less time).

If you are in detention or in custody, it will be useful to retain a criminal defence lawyer so that you can remain ahead of any legal actions that the police agency may take against you.

A criminal defence lawyer will be able to understand your situation, acknowledge the relevant evidence, request disclosure on your behalf, and strategize a way to reduce your sentence or to expunge your criminal charge altogether.

Why Choose Us?

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

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 criminal 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 refers to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2019, Saskatchewan had the second-highest rate of impaired driving nationwide.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is typically characterized as a spouse or parent verbally or physically abusing their partner or children. It has been reported that, across the provinces, Saskatchewan has the highest rate of police-reported family violence incidences.

Assaulting a Peace Officer

A peace officer includes any law enforcement personnel. The total number of assaults against a peace officer has increased in Saskatchewan from 582 in 2016 to 705 in 2020.

Drug Offence

Drug offences are offences related to possessing, trafficking or consuming illegal substances. There seems to be a slight downward trend in the total number of drug violations in Saskatchewan, from approximately 3,600 in 2015 to approximately 2,600 in 2020.

Youth Offences

Youth offences are offences committed by anyone between the ages of 12 and 17. The number of individuals charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act has decreased in Saskatchewan from approximately 1,500 in 2015 to 820 in 2019.

Criminal Driving

Criminal driving charges are driving violations that are dealt with under the Criminal Code of Canada as opposed to an administrative system. In 2019, there were 21 deaths due to impaired driving in Saskatchewan, which was a slight reduction from 42 deaths in 2018.

Assault

Assault can be defined as intentionally applying force to or against another person without their consent. The number of Level 1 Assaults (those that do not involve weapons or aggravated circumstances) has increased over the years in Saskatchewan, from approximately 10,500 in 2015 to approximately 11,100 in 2020.

Sexual Offences

A sexual offence involves unlawful actions directed at another individual, which are sexual in nature, including non-consensual touching or intercourse. For instance, the number of incidents of sexual interference has steadily increased in Saskatchewan from 292 in 2016 to 443 in 2020.

Theft

Theft involves the stealing of property or depriving another person of the lawful enjoyment of their property. In Saskatchewan, the total number of thefts of $5,000 or under has increased over the years, from approximately 9,800 in 2015 to 11,300 in 2019.

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Client Reviews

Hi this review is for my lawyer Lisa smart. Lisa thank you for helping me out and for not judging me and my mistakes. I wasn’t good before from all the trauma and that wasn’t me and it made me feel alot better when you said you understand and when you said to just take a breathe and not worry as much because I was in good hands. Because I was in the best hands. I was so scared I was going to go to jail and scared of what would happen to my kids because they need their mom. Thank you for fighting for me and making sure they have a mom and one whose not in jail.

D.S.

Lisa was kind and compassionate and did everything she could to ease my fears. She explained the process to me and walked me through all the possible outcomes which really reduced my stress. I can’t thank her enough for not only getting my charges dropped and helping me to move forward past my mistake but also for always making sure I was hanging in there along the way. Anyone who needs a criminal lawyer would be well served in hiring Lisa Smart.

M.S.

Lisa is absolutely terrific I would highly recommended her for your lawyer needs. She’s not only passionate and organized she goes above and beyond. Lisa answers all your questions with great detail and explanation. She keeps you updated and never in the dark. If you need a lawyer who will see it through and be on top of everything Lisa is your lawyer.

M.V.

Lisa at Strategic Criminal Defence Law Office is amazing at what she does. She’s got a lot of compassion for her clients, great communication skills, and will actually sit down to listen to what you have to say, she’s willing to lend an ear when needed. I cannot thank Lisa enough for what she has done for us, if you need a lawyer, Lisa is your girl.

S.C.

Lisa is so awesome that she didn’t just take away my stress, she straight up made defending my charges fun! strongly considering committing a new criminal offence so I can hang out with her again! Just kidding. Seriously though, if you get charged with something and are thinking ‘shoot I don’t have a guy for that’, then take my word that Lisa Smart at Strategic Criminal Defence should DEFINITELY be your guy. She’s smart as whip, chill and down to earth and not at all pret

H.S.
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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

The following section will provide a brief summary of criminal defence proceedings in Saskatchewan.

  1. When you are charged with a criminal offence in Saskatchewan, you will likely be arrested.
    • If the criminal offence with which you have been charged with is serious, you may be held in custody until your trial commences.
    • Otherwise, you will be released through a release order (which would free you entirely) or a notice of appearance which will specify a date you must appear in court.
  2. At your first appearance in court, you will be able to submit your plea or adjourn your matter (if you do not have full disclosure for instance).
  3. If you plead guilty, a disposition will be scheduled, and you will be able to make submissions to the court regarding any of the mitigating circumstances related to the commission of the offence.
  4. If you choose not to plead guilty, your case will proceed to trial.
    • With your lawyer, you will be able to develop a resolution strategy and review the evidence that the Crown Prosecutor has against you.
    • If the Crown fails to provide you and your lawyer with all the necessary evidence you need, the court may adjourn your matter or grant you a stay of proceedings.
    • A pre-trial conference may be held to ensure that any unanswered questions or issues are resolved before trial (like how many witnesses will be testifying for example).
    • A preliminary inquiry may also be conducted to determine whether a trial is necessary and justified. In a preliminary inquiry, an individual who has been charged with an indictable offence will be able to elect whether they would like to be tried by a jury of their peers or by a judge alone.
  1. During trial, defence counsel will call on their witnesses after the Crown Prosecutor has had a chance to do so first.
    • If a Charter motion has been filed, a voir dire will be held. A voir dire is a hearing within a trial that determines the admissibility of certain evidence. If the voir dire is successful, the evidence in question will be ruled out as violating the Charter rights of the accused.
    • After all the witnesses have taken the stand, defence counsel will make their closing remarks followed by the Crown Prosecutor.
  1. After the trial, either the judge or jury will decide the outcome of the case.
    • If you are convicted, further submissions will be made to the court regarding sentencing and penalties.
    • If you are not convicted, you will be free to leave.

For more detailed information regarding every stage of the criminal process, visit our page that details how a criminal trial works in Canada.

The cost of a criminal lawyer will be contingent on, at least in part, the approach you want to take to resolve your matter. For instance, you may want to go to trial and dispute the criminal offence you have been charged with (as opposed to pleading guilty) which will result in higher costs for you. Likewise, you may choose to retain a junior lawyer whose fees are lower in comparison to that of senior counsel.

In this way, the cost of a criminal lawyer can correlate with your own interests. However, our lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan will advise you on all of your options and the resolution strategy we think you should opt for, given our rich backgrounds in criminal law and the vast number of our negotiations with the Crown.

The cost to retain a criminal lawyer in Saskatchewan will also depend on the level of expertise of the lawyer you retain and the extent of their experience in criminal law. A lawyer who has 25 years of experience in criminal defence may charge a higher rate than a lawyer who has just started their legal career.

The good news is that you do not have to decide blindly whether or not to retain one of our lawyers. At Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan, we offer a free comprehensive consultation in which you can ask inquire about costs and fees.

A criminal defence lawyer will be able to help you resolve your criminal law matter and this may involve any of the following actions:

  • Advising you about court protocol and court procedure
  • Gathering and reviewing any relevant evidence such as video or audio recordings
  • Drafting documents and serving notices to the Crown Prosecutor
  • Informing you about your Charter rights and presenting Charter arguments to a judge
  • Communicating with law enforcement
  • Researching and applying the law to your case
  • Appearing in court on your behalf
  • Preparing for trial and any other hearings that need to be held
  • Negotiating with the Crown and appealing any convictions you may receive

In general, a qualified criminal defence lawyer will be able to defend you in a court of law and find a way to either have the charge(s) against you withdrawn or negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor to reach a fair and reasonable result for you.

Strategic Criminal Defence is aware and sensitive to the fact that First Nations peoples are disproportionately represented in Saskatchewan’s criminal justice population. This means that we understand the social justice issues at play in this context and are committed to ensuring that any discrimination or violation of your Charter rights is appropriately raised and disputed.

Our lawyers have been successful in defending many First Nations clients with their criminal law matters, such as charges for impaired driving, which is heavily policed in some regions across the province by Saskatchewan law enforcement.

Our lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan also have experience drafting sentencing reports for First Nations individuals using the Gladue factors.

The Gladue factors were outlined in a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada case (R v Gladue) and are factors that must be considered by a judge before he or she sentences a First Nations person or decides on the disciplinary measures they should be subjected to.

Some Gladue factors include trauma, abuse, the legacy of colonization, experience with racism and discrimination, living below the poverty line, attendance in residential schools or involvement with the foster care system. These factors have been determined to increase the chances of First Nations individuals from becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

If you are a First Nations person who has come into contact with the Canadian criminal justice system, our lawyers will be able to make a Gladue submission or a Gladue report.

In such a submission, we will be able to relay to a judge: your upbringing and your childhood background, your community ties, your cultural heritage, the Gladue factors that have contributed to you becoming involved in the criminal justice system, the rehabilitative options available to you, your needs, and the customs and practices of your Nation that are applicable to your situation.

This will be beneficial to you as the presiding judge on your case will have to respect your circumstances and your beliefs as a First Nations person and make an informed and reasonable decision about whether you should be sent to jail or the specific conditions that should be attached to your court-ordered sentence(s).

In this way, our lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan will be able to help you navigate the legal system while taking into consideration and being cognizant of the historical treatment of First Nations peoples in Canada.

A Charter argument is essentially an argument that references the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to indicate that an individual’s rights have been unjustifiably infringed upon.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was passed in 1982 as part of Canada’s Constitution and it guarantees certain liberties to Canadians. When the state (or governmental institutions) has unfairly or unreasonably intruded upon such liberties, the Charter can be used to protect the rights and freedoms in question.

For example, under the Charter, you have the right to counsel when you are detained by police. If the arresting officers fail to inform you of this right or fail to give you an opportunity to seek out legal advice, then your Charter right(s) have likely been violated.

A Charter argument can be used to have critical evidence removed from the court’s consideration, on the basis that the evidence was procured unconstitutionally or that its admittance violates an individual’s fundamental freedoms.

If the constitutional rights challenge is accepted, the Crown Prosecutor will no longer be able to rely on the evidence in question.

Given our high calibre of knowledge and our experience in criminal law, we at Strategic Criminal Defence can often always make a valid case for our clients by referencing either the procedural, legal, or technical errors on the part of the police or the government.

A criminal record in Saskatchewan can have disastrous impacts on the freedoms that you enjoy, which are guaranteed by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In many situations, a conviction for a criminal offence may cause a domino effect, negatively impacting other areas of your life. For example, if you are convicted for impaired driving, your license will likely be suspended and you will be prohibited from driving. In this scenario, you may be unable to drive to work and this may cause you to be late on your other bills (like rent or mortgage).

This may be increasingly stressful as you will find that there may be unexpected consequences from becoming involved in the criminal justice system, even if the initial charges against you are ultimately withdrawn.

This is why it is important for you to seek out advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer who has a client-focused approach to resolving cases.

At Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan, our lawyers understand the toll that a criminal charge has on an individual’s wellbeing, and we are dedicated to providing you with informed advice that takes into account all of your circumstances.

Reports show that crime is relatively prominent in Saskatchewan, as compared to the rate of crime nation-wide. Our aim at Strategic Criminal Defence in Saskatchewan is to not have our clients conform to this trend.

Contact us immediately so that we can assist you in resolving your case or help you evade a criminal charge altogether.

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