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In the bustling city of Calgary, Alberta, criminal lawyers stand as pillars of justice, navigating a complex legal landscape to serve their community. They deal with a broad spectrum of cases, from minor offences to serious crimes, and play a pivotal role in the justice system. Their work goes beyond providing legal representation to individuals accused of crimes; they also ensure that the rights of these individuals are protected throughout the legal process.
Crime Statistics in Calgary
The crime statistics in Calgary show a mixed picture. According to various reports, the city has seen a decrease in shootings in 2023, with a 37% reduction compared to the previous year. However, the city’s violent and property crimes have increased over the past five years. This diverse range of criminal activity underscores the importance of criminal lawyers in Calgary, who are tasked with defending individuals accused of these crimes.
Law Enforcement in Calgary
Calgary has a robust police presence, with several district offices throughout the city, including Ramsay, Rosscarrock, North Haven, Franklin, and others. The Calgary Police Service is the municipal police service of the city and is the largest municipal police service in Alberta. The presence of a strong law enforcement agency further emphasizes the need for competent criminal lawyers who can ensure that the rights of accused individuals are not infringed upon.
The Court System in Calgary
The court system in Calgary is part of the broader Alberta court system. Alberta has three levels of Court: the Provincial Court, the Court of Queen’s Bench (including the Surrogate Court), and the Court of Appeal of Alberta. The Court of Queen’s Bench is the Superior Trial Court in Alberta, hearing civil claims and criminal cases beyond the Provincial Court’s jurisdiction. Criminal lawyers in Calgary must navigate this complex court system to represent their clients effectively.
The Work of Criminal Lawyers
Criminal lawyers in Calgary are legal experts who defend individuals and organizations charged with criminal conduct. Their work involves various tasks, including researching laws, drafting legal documents, arguing cases in Court, and negotiating plea deals. They also counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations, helping them understand the complexities of the legal system.
In the courtroom, criminal lawyers represent their clients, presenting evidence and arguments to the judge and jury. They cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and strive to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients, whether a not-guilty verdict or a reduced sentence.
Outside the courtroom, criminal lawyers spend significant time gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing for trial. They also counsel their clients on their options and potential outcomes, helping them make informed decisions about their cases.
Serving the Community
Criminal lawyers serve the community in several ways. They ensure that everyone has access to legal representation regardless of their circumstances. This is a fundamental principle of our justice system, ensuring everyone is treated fairly, and their rights are protected.
Moreover, criminal lawyers contribute to the rule of law by holding the prosecution to its burden of proof. This means that the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty. Criminal lawyers ensure that this standard is upheld by challenging the prosecution’s evidence and presenting a defence.
Notable Criminal Lawyers in Calgary
Here are some notable criminal lawyers in Calgary, Alberta, as listed in the Criminal Code Help directory:
- Susan Karpa – Susan Karpa Criminal Defence Lawyer: Susan Karpa is a highly-skilled criminal lawyer known for her practical, assertive, and strategic defence. She is based in Calgary, Alberta.
- Matthew Deshaye – Dunn & Associates Criminal Defence Lawyers: Matthew Deshaye is a criminal defence lawyer based in Calgary, Alberta. He is part of the team at Dunn & Associates, a law firm known for its strategic and skilled legal representation.
- Ian Mckay – McKay Ferg LLP: Ian McKay is a criminal lawyer based in Calgary, Alberta. He is part of McKay Ferg LLP, a law firm that provides legal services in various areas of law.
- Tyson Dahlem – Dunn & Associates Criminal Defence Lawyers: Tyson Dahlem is another criminal defence lawyer from Dunn & Associates in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for his strategic and assertive legal representation.
- David G. Chow – David G. Chow – Calgary Criminal Lawyer: David G. Chow is a well-known criminal lawyer in Calgary, Alberta. He has a reputation for success and is verified by Criminal Code Help.
- Vince Semenuk – Dunn & Associates Criminal Defence Lawyers: Vince Semenuk is a criminal defence lawyer at Dunn & Associates in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for his strategic and assertive legal representation.
- Joel Chevrefils – Dunn & Associates Criminal Defence Lawyers: Joel Chevrefils is another notable criminal lawyer at Dunn & Associates in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for his record of success in defending criminal offences.
- Heather Ferg – McKay Ferg LLP: Heather Ferg was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. Ms. Ferg is an accomplished criminal litigator who practices exclusively in criminal defence. Her work strongly focuses on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, particularly in Search and Seizure.
- Greg Dunn – Dunn & Associates Criminal Defence Lawyers: Greg Dunn started his legal career practicing insolvency litigation with Fraser Milner Casgrain (now Dentons), a national law firm headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. However, Mr. Dunn’s true passion resided in criminal law, and in 2001, he joined one of Calgary’s oldest and most prestigious criminal defence law firms known at that time as Bascom & Fagan. Mr. Dunn assumed the reigns of the long-established criminal defence firm and remains the firm’s senior and managing partner today.
- Clayton Rice – Clayton Rice, K.C.: Clayton Rice is a criminal lawyer based in Calgary, Alberta. His website provides legal help for various cases and features a blog, “On The Wire,” which covers multiple topics related to criminal law.
These lawyers have made significant contributions to the legal profession and have played a crucial role in upholding the principles of justice and fairness in Calgary, Alberta. They have represented diverse clients, from politicians and celebrities to professional athletes and ordinary citizens, ensuring that everyone has access to fair and just legal representation.
Population and Legal Needs in Calgary
As of 2023, the population of Calgary is estimated to reach around 1.46 million. This diverse population creates a wide range of legal needs and challenges, which criminal lawyers in Calgary are equipped to handle. The city’s growth and diversity underscore the importance of a robust legal community to meet these needs.
The Legal Community in Calgary
The exact number of criminal lawyers in Calgary is not readily available, but numerous law firms and individual practitioners in the city indicate a substantial legal community. Each lawyer brings a unique set of skills and experiences to their practice, contributing to the diversity and strength of the legal profession in Calgary.
The Importance of Criminal Lawyers
Criminal lawyers play a crucial role in upholding the principles of justice and fairness. They ensure that individuals accused of crimes are treated fairly, and their rights are protected. Without criminal lawyers, the balance of power in the justice system would be skewed in favour of the government, and the rights and freedoms of individuals could be easily infringed upon.
Furthermore, criminal lawyers contribute to society by promoting a better understanding of the law. Through their work, they help to demystify the legal system and make it more accessible to the public. This is particularly important in a diverse city like Calgary, where the population has many legal needs and challenges.
Criminal Law in Canada
Criminal lawyers in Calgary operate within the broader context of Canadian criminal law, which the Criminal Code of Canada defines. This federal statute outlines the types of conduct that constitute criminal offences and prescribes the procedures for prosecuting and punishing these offences. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Canadian Constitution, also plays a significant role by protecting certain fundamental rights and freedoms, including legal rights relevant to the criminal process.
In Canada’s adversarial system, the prosecution and the defence present their case before a neutral judge (and sometimes a jury), who then decides the outcome based on the evidence and arguments. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, meaning it is the responsibility of the Crown to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Criminal lawyers in Calgary are essential in this system, representing the accused and ensuring their rights are upheld. They challenge the prosecution’s evidence, present a defence, and strive to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They also help demystify the legal system and make it more accessible to the public, contributing to a better understanding of the law in the community.
Criminal lawyers in Calgary, Alberta, play an indispensable role in the justice system and the broader community. They navigate complex legal systems, serve a large and diverse population, and uphold the principles of justice and fairness. Despite the challenges of their profession, their work is rewarding and vital to maintaining the rule of law. The lawyers in this city are committed to their work and play an essential role in the community, ensuring that everyone has access to fair and just legal representation.
