Tag Archive for: DV Pledge Criminal Lawyer Toronto

possession, gun charges, lawyer

Recent Success: Facing Multiple Possession Charges

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Allegations

My clients were charged with Possession of a Substance, that being Marijuana, for the purpose of Trafficking. They were also charged with:

  • Possession of a Firearm
  • Point a Firearm
  • Possession of a Restricted Weapon
  • Possession of Weapons Dangerous

All charges against both of my clients were withdrawn as a result of my efforts to successfully convince the Crown that they were unable to prove any of the foregoing charges.

Arrests

My clients were arrested as a result of a radio call made to the police. The call advised them that one of my clients had pointed a handgun at them. The police immediately attended my clients’ residence, where they resided with three other members of their family. Upon entering and searching the residence, the police seized a firearm and an amount of marijuana.

Trial Proceedings & Results

Upon review of the case and the disclosure, it became evident to me that the Crown would not be able to establish that in fact either of my clients had either knowledge or control of the firearm or marijuana.

After having met with the Judge and the Crown on several judicial pretrials, the Crown withdrew all charges.

Above all, it is important regardless of the seriousness of the charges, that the lawyer you hire takes the initiative to review your case and determine if it a matter that can possibly be withdrawn without the necessity of a trial. Donna Pledge has been practicing in the area of criminal defence cases for over 29 years. She will ensure that if your case can be withdrawn without a trial, it will be.

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge

Donna Pledge is a criminal defence lawyer who always does the very best for her clients. Donna Pledge goes above and beyond for you if you have criminal offence charges.

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email.

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario.

 

donna pledge recent success charged with possesion of stolen property

Recent Success – Charged with Possession of Stolen Property

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Both my clients were charged with possession of property over $5000. As a result of two meetings with the Judge and the Crown attorney, I was able to convince the crown that there was no reasonable prospect of conviction and both charges against both of my clients were withdrawn.

The Scenario

My clients were employed in a retail warehouse that sold appliances and other electronic items. The police arrived at the location and arrested three individuals including my clients. The police alleged that my clients were in possession of 33 stolen large screen televisions. These televisions were placed on Kijiji for sale. The police called the number on the Kijiji ad and were directed to the retail warehouse where my clients were employed. When my clients were arrested, a telephone with the number associated with the Kijiji ad was located.

Our Process

Upon meeting with the Judge and the Crown, I stated that the evidence was insufficient to prove that my clients were aware that these televisions were stolen. As a result, all charges against both my clients were withdrawn.

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge 

Donna Pledge is a criminal defence lawyer who always does the very best for her clients. If you are charged with any criminal offence, Donna Pledge will go above and beyond for you. 

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email. 

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario. 

charged with possesion and trafficking donna pledge criminal lawyer toronto

Recent Success – Charged with Trafficking and Possession of Methamphetamines (May 2019)

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My client was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamines and Possession for the purposes of Trafficking in Methamphetamines. Both charges were discharged.

The Scenario

My client was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Possession for the purposes of Trafficking in Methamphetamine as a result of surveillance by the police over a period of approximately one month. It was alleged that my client trafficked 82 grams of Methamphetamine, and as a result was arrested along with another individual. Subsequently, the police obtained two search warrants to search two residences, associated with my client.

During the search of one of the residences, several items with my clients name on it were found. Located in the other residence was 81 grams of Methamphetamine in a woman’s size 8 Michael Kors boot. The Crown further tried to establish that because my client and another individual picked up a third individual, who later was found to have 82 grams of Methamphetamine in his possession, and drove around the block and then dropped him back off, that they sold him the drug. As a result, the police arrested my client along with another individual for the charges as described above.

Our Process

At the Preliminary Inquiry, the police were called and provided evidence with respect to the surveillance they had conducted on my client and the items recovered as a result of the search warrants. On that basis, the crown argued that there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. I argued that the evidence was not sufficient to get over the threshold of the Preliminary Inquiry and the court agreed and the charges were discharged.

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge 

It is important to have a lawyer representing you – who at every opportunity will argue to have the charges thrown out. One need not wait for trial. I, Donna Pledge, am one such lawyer.

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email. 

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario. 

driving under the influence of alcohol donna pledge criminal lawyer

Recent Success – Charged for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (April 2019)

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The Scenario

My client was charged with driving with over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. He was arrested prior to the new drinking and driving laws – which came into effect in December 2018. At trial, as a result of my argument that the new laws applied even though they were not in effect when the client was charged, his charge was dismissed.

My client was stopped by the police for speeding and as a result, the Police Officer suspected that he had consumed alcohol and had him provide a breath sample. He failed the road side breath test, and as a result was arrested and brought to the station to provide a breath sample into an approved breath instrument. He provided the breath samples into the approved breath instrument.

However, the first sample he provided was in excess of two hours after he was stopped by the police. Therefore, the crown had to retain an expert toxicologist to read back his readings to the time the Police Officer had stopped him.

Our Process

The trial was scheduled subsequent to the new drinking and driving laws that came into effect in December 2018. The crown called the arresting officer and a civilian witness to testify. The crown also relied upon the opinion of an expert toxicologist. I argued that the new laws applied to this case, which would mean that the crown would have to establish certain facts about the intoxilyzer used in this case. The crown argued that the new laws were not retrospective and that the old law applied. The judge found that the new laws applied and as a result, the crown failed to prove all the necessary facts in relation to the intoxilyzer used. Therefore, the charge was dismissed.

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge 

It is important to hire a lawyer who is familiar with the laws pertaining to the charge for which you were arrested. I, Donna Pledge, am one such lawyer that will always be best prepared for any case and to give my clients the best chance of winning.

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email. 

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario. 

charged for dui donna pledge criminal lawyer

Recent Success – Charged for Impaired Driving and Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample (December 2018)

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The Scenario

My client was arrested for impaired driving and refusal to provide a breath sample. The matter proceeded to trial, and both charges were ultimately dismissed. The charge of refusal to provide a breath sample was dismissed at the request of the Crown because I brought a section 7 charter application which argued that as a result of abuse by the police officer, the charges should be dismissed. The impaired driving charge was dismissed after trial because there was not sufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that my client’s driving was impaired by alcohol.

My client and two friends of his went out to a few bars on the night in question. My client had only consumed a few beers because he was the designated driver. On the way home they decided to attend the local McDonald’s drive-through for some food. One of the employees at McDonalds, believing that my client had been drinking, called the police. Two police vehicles arrived, and my client was asked to exit his vehicle and was arrested for impaired driving. As my client was being escorted to the police vehicle, he questioned why he was being arrested and in so doing one of the police officers became upset. Then, the police officer intentionally or unintentionally hit my client’s head on the side of the police vehicle and as a result – my client blacked out.

My client’s next recollection is when he arrives at his friend’s place the next morning. We come to learn, through disclosure, that in the interim my client refused to provide a breath sample at the police station and was charged with refusing to provide a breath sample.

Our Process

At trial I argued that as a result of the abuse inflicted by the police officer, my client did not have the intention to refuse to provide a breath sample. I also argued that the actions of the police officer in hitting my client’s head against the police vehicle was an abuse of process and as such, both charges should be dismissed. At trial, with respect to the charge of failure to provide a breath sample, the crown decided to invite the Judge to dismiss that charge.

After trial – on the impaired driving charge – I argued that there was not sufficient evidence to establish that my client’s ability to drive was impaired by the consumption of alcohol on that evening and the Judge agreed and subsequently dismissed that charge.

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge 

It is important when looking for a criminal defence lawyer that you find one that is not afraid to bring arguments that suggest that the police acted inappropriately in the process of arrest or in processing you. Some criminal defence lawyers are fearful of bringing such arguments to the table.

I, Donna Pledge, wholeheartedly believe in providing full answers and defence to all my clients. And if that requires accusing the police of any form of wrongdoing, then that’s what I will do. I am here to ensure my clients’ rights are protected.

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email. 

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario. 

Recent Success Possession of Marijuana - Donna V Pledge Criminal Lawyer - York Region

Recent Success – Charged with Possession of Marijuana (January 2019)

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My client was charged with Possession for the Purposes of Trafficking Marijuana, involving over 70 pounds of marijuana. The charge was withdrawn as a result of filing several Charter applications to establish that the search warrant executed on my client’s residence and vehicle was unlawful.  

The Scenario 

My client was charged as a result of a police investigation where there was surveillance of my client and two other individuals over a period of a few months. During that surveillance, my client was alleged to have been seen travelling from one address to another and removing bags alleged to contain marijuana. The police obtained a search warrant which was executed on my client’s residence and on his vehicle. As the result of the search, several bags were found in the trunk of my client’s vehicle containing over 70 pounds of marijuana.  

Our Process 

I brought an application to declare the search warrant unlawful and request an order excluding all the marijuana found as a result of that search warrant. During the cross examination of the affiant of the search warrant, it became apparent that there were several inconsistencies, misstatements, and inaccurate facts, in the information contained in the search warrant. The exposure of all these problems contained in the search warrant reflected on all the police witnesses and their evidence. As a result, the crown for the prosecution determined that there was no reasonable prospect of conviction and withdrew the charge.  

Get the Best Defence: DV Pledge 

When reviewing any case one must be cognizant of the fact that although on paper, the crown’s case may appear to be very strong, in practice it is very possible to have it dismissed or withdrawn. Even the strongest cases – when tested through cross examination of the witnesses (including police witnesses), expose significant problems with the crown’s case and as a result it may be dismissed or withdrawn. When choosing a lawyer, it is important to choose one that is willing and able to review the case in more depth than just reading the disclosure provided – as this may be the difference between winning the case and losing.  

Donna Pledge is one such lawyer that can win a losing case.  

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email. 

Donna V. Pledge, Barrister & Solicitor 

Donna V Pledge, is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty-five years of experience in the area of criminal offences. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna Pledge represents her clients in courts all over Ontario. 

What Should You Do When First Accused or Charged with Sexual Assault?

What Should You Do When First Accused or Charged with Sexual Assault?

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What Should You Do When First Accused or Charged with Sexual Assault?

What Should You Do First:

If you are either charged with sexual assault or accused of sexual assault, the first thing you should do is contact a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto or the GTA who has the necessary experience to ensure a successful outcome.

It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer who is experienced with sexual assault charges as soon as you are aware that you are being charged or accused of sexual assault.

Why Is It Important to Immediately Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately if you are charged or accused of sexual assault because they will make sure are protected. The criminal defense lawyer will ensure that you are not charged at all if possible. If you are charged, that all your rights are protected. But most importantly that you are released immediately after you are charged.

The criminal defense lawyer will make sure the police do not ask you questions. That is very important because any answers or statements you give to the police will be used against you. The experienced criminal defense lawyer will ensure you do not spend any more time than necessary in the police station.

The Potential Negative Effects of Being Charged or Accused of Sexual Assault

There are several potential negative effects of being either charged or accused of sexual assault. Your employment may be affected, depending on the type and your position.

For example, if you are a massage therapist and you have been charged with sexual assault on one of your patients. You can expect that a condition of your bail will most likely be that you are not allowed to perform any massages in your capacity as a massage therapist until the outcome of your sexual assault charge has been dealt with in the court. Even if you are only accused of sexual assault in the above case and not charged, your employer may decide to suspend you until the sexual assault complaint is dealt with or even dismiss you all together.

Your marital or spousal relationship may be affected. Your reputation with your peers is likely to be affected. It is difficult enough dealing with the effects of the charge or accusation of sexual assault whether alone or with the support of family and friends. You don’t have to deal with the legal aspects of being charged or accused of sexual assault. Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to help you.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Complaints in the Media

We are seeing real life examples of how being accused of sexual assault or harassment can affect the life of the person. In the last few months there have been several sexual assault and sexual harassment complaints against politicians, MPs, television personalities and other individuals in the public eye. These complaints have resulted in these individuals stepping down from their positions and ultimately having a real negative impact on their lives. Other law makers including the Prime Minister have taken positions that perpetuate the effects of these complaints without any due process.

Our judicial system is built on the presumption of innocence. Any erosion of this principle will ultimately negatively impact our society as a whole not just the individuals being accused of these sexual assaults. It is imperative that we as a society remember that if an individual is accused of a criminal act, such as sexual assault, that we have a moral and legal obligation to investigate before coming to the determination of whether the complaint is true or not. Or in the context of a charge before determining if the person is guilty or not.

If you have questions about being charged or accused of sexual assault, please contact Donna Pledge today.  She will ensure that that our moral and legal obligations are upheld

Call 416-630-8702 or click here to email.

Donna V. Pledge.

Donna V. Pledge is a highly experienced criminal lawyer in Toronto with over twenty years of experience in the area of criminal offence. She has been successfully defending clients since 1992. She has earned the reputation of a tough and no-nonsense lawyer who can get her clients out of any criminal case with either a full acquittal or a very light sentence. Donna represents her clients in courts all over Ontario.

Criminal Lawyer Toronto DV Pledge Recent Successes

R. v. A.A.- Sexual Assault X 2, Gangrape and Administering a Stupifying Substance X 2

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My client was charged with 2 counts of Sexual Assault, Gangrape and 2 counts of Administering a Stupifying Substance. After the preliminary inquiry I was able to convince the Judge to discharge my client on one of the Sexual Assault counts and one of the Administering a Stupifying Substance counts because there was insufficient evidence to go to trial. Prior to the trial on the rest of the matters I made an application to have all of the charges stayed because it took too long to go to trial, an application to stay the charges pursuant to s. 11(b) of the Charter of Rights. On the first day of trial the complainant was late and an application to have the remaining charges withdrawn was granted.

Criminal Lawyer Toronto DV Pledge Recent Successes

A.B.- Charged With Assault.

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A.B.- Client was charged with Assault. The matter proceeded to trial, wherein the charge was dismissed after successful cross examination of the complainant.

If you’ve been charged with assault please reach out for your free consultation here.

Criminal Lawyer Toronto DV Pledge Recent Successes

Z.Z.- Charged with Two Counts of Assault and One Count of Assault With a Weapon

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Z.Z.- My client was charged with one count of Assault with a weapon and two counts of assault. The matter proceeded to trial. All charges were dismissed after trial because the complainant was determined to be incredible after cross examination of her.

If you’ve been charged with impaired driving please reach out for your free consultation here.