Criminal Law Services in Calgary & Southern Alberta

Dunn & Associates is a full service criminal defence law firm. From assault to arson, we have the team and the depth to provide you with competent legal counsel no matter the nature or severity of the allegation. We are here to ensure every one of our defendants receives an honest and fair trial.

Criminal Charges We Defend In Calgary

Terminology Of Criminal Charges

Impaired driving: you can be charged with impaired driving while operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You do not have to be operating a moving vehicle to be charged, sitting behind the wheel while under the influence is enough to warrant a impaired charge. Loss of license, fines or jail time are common outcomes.

Dangerous driving or dangerous driving causing harm: this charge falls on individuals who operate vehicles in an unsafe manner. Penalties are based on the amount of threat a dangerous driver poses to the public. If you harm another individual while driving, your charge will ‘dangerous driving causing bodily harm’ with penalties that result in lengthy jail time.

Drug possession: drug possession applies to individuals who willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, heroin or any other recreational drugs.

Drug trafficking: drug trafficking involves selling drugs. Even if one does not receive money in exchange, simply transferring drugs to another individual can be regarded as trafficking. Simply planning to sell or transfer drugs, even if the drugs have not actually been sold or transferred can attract criminal jeopardy under a conspiracy charge.

Proceeds of crime (money laundering): money laundering is changing of illegally obtained money from criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, into money which appears to have originated from a legitimate source. Proceeds of crime involves having in your possession money which originated from an illegal activity.

Fraud: fraud describes transactions between parties where one party intentionally misrepresents the truth and induces another party to give up a legal right or surrender something of value. Selling fake insurance policies would be an example of fraud. Fraud charges, depending on the amount of the fraud, can be very serious and can result in major fines and significant jail time.

Assault: when one individual harms another individual by direct or indirect force, or threatens/gestures with an intent to harm another individual.

Sexual assault: can range from simple unwanted sexual touching to forced sexual intercourse. More serious sexual assault offences can result in significant jail sentences.

Break and enter: when an individual enters another person’s premises, such as a home without authorization or permission with the intent of committing a crime (theft or other).

Robbery: when an individual takes property from another individual against his will, by means of force or fear.

Murder and manslaughter: these charges apply to individuals who have intentionally or unintentionally ended human life. Manslaughter, while similar to murder is considered less culpable. Both offences can result in a life sentence.

Kidnapping and unlawful confinement: kidnapping is defined as unlawfully seizing and taking a person away by force or fraud against his or her will. Unlawful confinement refers to trapping or detaining an individual against his or her will, often with the intent to carry that person away at a later time.

Deportation and extradition: extradition involves the surrender of a person by a state such as Canada, to another state or an international organization resulting in the trial of that person to be conducted by the received state or organization.

Appeals: to ask a more senior court or person to review a decision of a subordinate court or person.