Areas of Practice
Youth Matters
Youth people that are aged between the ages of 12 - 17 years with criminal offences are subject to different procedures and principles governed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Homicide
Homicide is one of the most serious offences that a person can be charged with in Canada. Homicide can range from being classified as manslaughter to first-degree murder.
Firearms + Weapons
The Criminal Code of Canada contains many offences related to the possession and use of weapons. A guilty conviction results in numerous impacts — a lifelong criminal record, difficulty with international travel and possible imprisonment. Yet, even police and judicial authorities sometimes lack clear understanding of the nuances surrounding gun and weapons charges.
At Snukal Law Office, our lawyers have practiced exclusively in criminal law for years. We understand all areas of criminal law. We have represented thousands of clients in Alberta. Whatever weapons charge you are facing, we can provide you with a solid, well-prepared defence.
Theft + Fraud
Crimes related to property run from the most minor to large-scale, international operations. The victims can be private citizens or businesses. Penalties also run the gamut — from fines to imprisonment.
At Snukal Law Office, we represent a wide variety of clients facing all kinds of theft and fraud charges. Some of our clients are young students, business owners and high-profile professionals. All have much at stake, and conviction can easily ruin their reputations, business interests, educational opportunities and their futures.
Bail
Bail Hearings
If police do not release an individual following an arrest, a bail hearing needs to take place, usually within 24 hours. At these times, seeking skilled legal counsel who can act quickly and effectively is critical. Failing to obtain bail could mean immediate and significant impact — to your family, your job and also on the trajectory of your criminal case.
The lawyers at Snukal Law Office have decades of experience and a proven track record helping clients protect their liberty during bail hearings and appeals. If your freedom is on the line, contact us immediately for help.
Effectively Negotiating A Release
Our lawyers know what is needed to make it successfully through bail court — even in complex cases. With experience both as Crown Prosecutors and criminal defence lawyers, we can quickly assess the facts and assemble a compelling case aimed at securing your release.
With a range of bail options available, we aim for a result to maximize your freedom while your case works its way through the justice system. We will prepare you, and individuals providing surety, to speak effectively before the judge. Beyond simply gaining your release, we will also negotiate strategically to ensure that the conditions are reasonable.
Contact Our Lawyers Without Delay
Obtaining skilled legal counsel for bail hearings is as important as it is urgent. Our lawyers are nimble, experienced and ready to step in and represent you. Call our office in Calgary, Alberta, at 403-538-5646 or reach us by email to talk with our lawyers.
Drug Offences
Drug charges are those offences which arise from an interaction with an illicit drug or substance. Drug offences are listed under federal legislation called the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (“CDSA”), not under the Canadian Criminal Code. Because drugs are under federal jurisdiction, matters must be negotiated with Federal Crown Prosecutors, rather than Provincial Crown Prosecutors. This adds an extra layer of complexity to a complicated area of offences.
Sexual Offences
There are many types of sexual offences, which reflect the many ways in which people can come into sexual contact with each other. Offences include invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation, prostitution, sexual interference, voyeurism, corrupting morals, and child pornography.
These charges are described under sexual offences. For a charge to be included under a sexual assault there must be a sexual component to the incident. This does not necessarily mean that the purpose of the act was sexual in nature but rather there is a sexual connection to the action. Sexual Assault is an assault that is committed in circumstances of a sexual nature such as to violate the sexual integrity of a person.
Assault
In criminal law “assault” is any direct or indirect intentional and non-consensual physical touching of another person. The concepts of “direct” and “indirect” physical touching are important because to commit an assault a person need not actually (or directly) touch the complainant. An assaultive gesture may constitute an indirect assault. It is important to understand that a criminal assault does not require a degree of force.
There are a variety of types of assault. The most basic kind of assault is often called a “common assault”. This kind of assault usually attracts the lightest type of sentences. More serious kinds of assault are those that involve weapons and/or bodily injury. Accordingly, there are separate charges for “assault with a weapon”, “assault causing bodily harm” and “aggravated assault”. The elements to each of these aggravated versions speak for themselves. For example, assault with a weapon entails the use of a weapon. Assault causing bodily harm results in injury that is neither trivial nor transitory. Aggravated assault involves reasonable foreseeability that the assault will “wound”, “maim” or “disfigure”.
As the seriousness of the assault increases, the sanction or sentence attracted increases. The importance of defending an assault charge is obvious. If convicted you will likely have a criminal record. Since assault is a crime of violence, there is some possibility that your ability to travel abroad may be restricted.