Burlington Criminal Lawyers | Collett Read LLP

Criminal Lawyers in Burlington

Collett Read LLP is is your best choice if you want the strongest criminal lawyers in Burlington.

With a track record of successful defences against everything from simple theft, DUI’s, drug importation, and even murder, the criminal lawyers at Collett Read LLP Burlington are a strong force in the courtroom.

Burlington criminal lawyers, Collett Read LLP, are known by prosecutors for being highly prepared, extremely thorough, and formidable. When you retain Collett Read LLP for your criminal defence, you retain the entire firm; the entire team works collaboratively on your case, bringing expert perspectives and decades of experience as defence counsel and former prosecutors. No other firm in Burlington has the same mixture of lawyers and operations as Collett Read LLP.

Being arrested is usually a confusing and overwhelming experience for you and your loved ones. It’s not an easy situation to navigate alone; You need a legal team that promises to be there every step of the way.

Why is Our Team Different?

Our Burlington criminal lawyers at Collett Read LLP strive to understand the struggle you are facing right now. We know that it can be very intimidating and hopeless when facing charges that can have serious consequences. That’s why we prioritize getting to know you personally as a client. We believe that defending your rights is not enough, and mentally getting you through this process is half the battle.

Compassion is a value we hold with every client we work with, no matter the charges you are facing. When you retain Collett Read LLP you are fighting with an army of educated people who care about their clients, don’t judge you for your charges, protect your rights, mitigate your mistakes and help you feel better at the end. You are not defined by your charge; our lawyers will help you understand that and let you see a future moving forward in your life. Not only that, but we have a variety of resources available to help your loved ones endure this process as well. We want our office to be a safe harbour for those who need help when they need it the most.

Our lawyers have been trained in some of the best law schools with a vast amount of combined experience. You will have the force of the entire firm by your side, including those who have experience convicting some of the charges we defend. This gives you a significant advantage over other firms as we know the strategies and tactics that will be used against you. When it comes to the law we are sharp on any technicalities, and our presence in the courtroom is exceptional compared to others. Our lawyers are highly respected among their judicial peers, all specially trained to remain as professional and effective as possible. The defence of your rights are paramount to us, and we won’t let anything get past that would unfairly punish you otherwise.

Dean Collett

Passionate about defending his clients, Dean prioritizes getting to know them as much as possible. His strong desire to help people has driven him to build a powerhouse law firm of likeminded individuals to achieve that goal. Dean exclusively works in criminal law and has helped clients win their cases in all areas of criminal law. As an executive on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Criminal Lawyers Association, he has garnered a deep respect from his judicial peers as a fearless criminal lawyer. His experience and adept skill as a lawyer have allowed him to guest lecture at the esteemed Osgoode Hall Law School.

Jessica Read

As a former prosecutor Jessica has honed her skills over the years, making her the dominant criminal lawyer she is today. Her passion for defence work eventually led her to become a criminal lawyer, defending the rights of those accused. Her power lies in the fact that she understands all the strategies and tactics used against her clients by the prosecutors. Learning the complex law surrounding impaired driving trials in “crown school” she has ran a multitude of times against some of the most successful defence lawyers in Ontario. As a graduate herself, Jessica takes pride in being a guest lecturer at the respected Osgoode Hall Law School.

Impaired Driving Charges

Impaired driving charges have been on the rise in Burlington which has resulted in more RIDE programs being issued throughout the city in an effort to catch those driving under the influence of a substance. Our Burlington criminal lawyers at Collett Read LLP are here to help defend your rights if you have been arrested for a DUI charge in Burlington.

If you are convicted of a DUI, your life can be significantly changed through difficult daily limitations. Usual consequences for these charges include fines, massive car insurance rate increases, and license suspensions. These consequences are extended even further if another was harmed as a result of driving under the influence of a substance. It’s common to find that DUI offenders are harshly judged for their actions related to the crime. This is not the case at Collett Read LLP, where we understand everyone has their own personal circumstances, and provide a judgement-free area for you to feel safe and go through the legal process. If you have been charged with a DUI we will do our best to protect your rights and get you a positive outcome.

One of the benefits you gain working with Collett Read LLP is that one of our Partners – Jessica Read – is a former prosecutor specializing in impaired driving charges. With her experience as an incredible asset, she has made herself one of the best criminal defence lawyers in Canada regarding impairment charges. The advantage you get will make the difference over any other firm as we know how to counter any tactic and strategy used to convict a defendant. Not to mention Jessica’s experience has led her to understand and adapt to any new strategies used and her masterful knowledge of this section of the law will prove fruitful for any client. Rightfully, our track record with these types of cases are exceptional and it would be difficult to find the same quality anywhere else. We you to feel confident letting us handle any DUI charge you need help with as the best criminal defence option in Burlington.

For more information on impaired driving charges, visit our Burlington DUI charge lawyer page for more.

Drug Possession Charges

Collett Read LLP has plenty of experience working with drug related charges and a great track record of success as well. In the city of Burlington, drug charges can have serious consequences. Between fines and imprisonment, your life can be seriously affected for the worse. Our Burlington criminal lawyers have an excellent grasp of this section of the law, and you can be confident that we will help you find a favourable outcome for your future.

Our criminal law firm has a great track record of positive outcomes related to drug charges, even when you may think its hopeless. One relevant example being when Collett Read LLP defended a client that was charged with possessing fentanyl with the intention of trafficking back in 2019. We had all charges stayed due to video evidence we found that breached our clients’ privacy rights. This is one of many examples, but we always protect the rights our clients hold as Canadian citizens. Read more here about this successful defence against the possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. Your rights are paramount to us and we will not back down if we see any form of injustice related to it. Our experience is lengthy in this area of the law and we will help you move on from your charges. Read more here about other drug charge cases.

Our lawyers at Collett Read LLP are well established as a premier choice when it comes to defending drug related charges. We have experts in this area of the law that know it inside and out granting you a great advantage for your case. Our goal is to get your charges dropped or at the very least reduced, and we work diligently to attain the best outcome possible for the circumstance. No matter how serious the charges are, we will make it our priority to help you find yourself in a better position afterwards. Check out our Burlington drug charge lawyer page for more information on this area of the law.

Sexual Assault Charges

If you are charged with sexual assault crimes, it can seriously ruin your life. Our criminal lawyers in Burlington are exceptional and well equipped to get your life back to normal. Due to how detrimental these charges are to your reputation alone, the criminal defence team you retain will make all the difference. That’s why Collett Read LLP is your best shot when it comes to sexual assault charges. If an individual is convicted, there are several heavy consequences including imprisonment, travel restrictions, becoming a part of the sex offender registry, and more.

At Collett Read LLP, especially with these charges, we take the presumption of innocence very seriously. It’s common for criminal lawyers to refuse sexual assault crimes due to the nature of them, but we don’t judge our clients at all. One advantage you gain is through the utilization of both male and female lawyers on your case, giving you the necessary perspective to effectively defend your case. This is a necessity in our experience as there are many differences in this area of the law compared to others. Sexual assault law is very complex, with strict laws allowing what evidence can be used. If you find yourself with a legal team not well-equipped enough to build a strong case in your favour, it’s likely a negative outcome will be the result. Luckily enough, Collett Read LLP is well experienced and skilled in sexual assault law and are able to defend your rights adequately.

One aspect we’ve come to understand is that accusations alone can tear apart lives. Our lawyers prioritize getting you through this difficult period in your life, and give you some much needed perspective when the future may seem uncertain. Its more than just a legal process, it’s making the lives of our clients a better in their time of need. Your rights as a Canadian citizen are no different than anyone else and you will be treated by our lawyers all the same. With that being said, this will be a difficult time for you and your family, but you can count on us to help you through it.

If you would like more information on sexual assault lawyers in Burlington, visit here.

Successful Cases

We are proud of our criminal lawyers abilities to successfully defend the rights of our clients in Burlington, and have a catalogue of cases to back it up. Collett Read LLP has defended some unique cases over the years, and can give you an advantage with our skills at adapting to those situations. We can severely mitigate charges initially brought forward, if not have them exonerated completely. Listed are some of our cases throughout the years:

Robbery: The defendant was facing 2+ years of a penitentiary sentence as a result of robbery charges and had his charges withdrawn completely. Read here for more on this successful robbery defence.

Dangerous Driving and Fail to Remain: Jail time is an often result with these cases, but we were able to have all charges against our client dropped before the trial began. Read here for more on the dangerous driving and fail to remain case.

First Degree Murder: Following a lengthy 3-week trial, the jury deliberated the case for two days, afterwards finding our client not guilty on all charges. After a long two year battle with this case, our client was overjoyed to move on from this part of his life. Read here for more on the first degree muder defence case.

Historical Sexual Assault: Due to our adept cross-examination skills exemplified during the trial, the complainants story was deemed impossible to believe. Our client was fully exonerated and was able to clear his reputation from the charges. Read here for more on the defence of historical sexual assault charges case.

If you retain Collett Read LLP as your criminal defence team, we will find you a positive outcome as we have done for many previous clients. If you want more information on our successes as a firm, read our criminal defence cases page here for more.

Know Your Rights

Our Burlington criminal lawyers at Collett Read LLP are passionate about helping our clients live within their rights as Canadian citizens. If you find yourself charged with a crime we’re here to help, but we also have a large database of resources surrounding the knowledge of your rights. It’s always better to avoid any unnecessary legal issues if you can, and we hope to help those out who have any questions. We’ve listed here some of the most popular:

Can you Swear at a Cop in Canada? – While it’s not illegal, the best course of action when dealing with a police officer is to remain respectful. Read more about swearing at police here.

Will a Criminal Conviction Impact my Ability to Travel Internationally? – In most countries it will affect your ability to travel. Most countries have their own laws in regard to crimes that will omit you from passage into the nation, in an effort to reduce international crime in their own country. If you have any convictions, you will need to contact that country to review any issues beforehand so you are not refused once you arrive. Read more about criminal convictions impacting your ability to travel.

Is it Illegal to not Carry I.D. in Canada? – Apart from operating motor vehicles, it is not illegal to not have I.D. on you as a Canadian citizen. Read more about Canadian carrying I.D. laws here.

What Outcomes Could my Case Have? – When it comes to legal terminology, there are an array of different outcomes as a result of a criminal charge. Criminal charge outcomes include; charges withdrawn or stayed, a peace bond, being found not guilty, guilty verdicts, having your sentence suspended or conditionally discharged, receiving a fine or restitution order, probation, incarceration or imprisonment, and conditional sentencing/house arrest. There are a lot to know of but we have detailed them all in an article for public use, read more about criminal case outcomes here.

Can Police Enter Your Home in Canada? – They often cannot enter your home without a valid reason. Some valid reasons include through the use of a warrant, if someone is believed to be in danger, and if they are invited inside. If you suspect that a police officer entered your home unlawfully we urge you to contact our lawyers as soon as possible. Read more about police entering your home here.

If you would like to view our entire list of resources that are updated regularly, visit our know your rights page.

These resources are intended to be used as guidelines but are not claimed by Collett Read LLP as legal advice. If you are charged with a criminal offence, contact us at (905) 541-2228 to get connected with our legal team.

Financial Assistance

Often those charged with a criminal offence worry about how it will affect them financially. Even more so when you want the best representation to avoid the consequences of the convictions. For this reason, Collett Read LLP accepts legal aid as a valid form of payment to retain our legal services in Burlington.

Regardless of your current financial situation, our lawyers believe that you should not have to settle for a lesser defence of your rights. You already have to deal with enough mentally battling the charges against you, and a supportive team is necessary to have some sort of peace during that time. Our goal is to allow you some breathing room in your time of need, and grow as a human being beyond the charges you’ve been given.

You can qualify for legal aid through the organization known as Legal Aid Ontario. With legal aid you are allotted a select amount of hours for lawyers to work on your case, and defend you against your charges. Our team at Collett Read LLP is effective and efficient at providing a quality defence in the allotted time without any sacrifice. Visit this page to see if you qualify and apply for legal aid. Charges of all types are accepted under legal aid, even as serious as murder qualifying under legal aid. No matter what, our team of dedicated lawyers will defend your charges with everything they have.

Even if you have been denied your application for legal aid, get in touch with our office and we can file for an appeal. We don’t want you to sacrifice a quality criminal defence if it means financially suffering. There are also other payment plans we offer if there are no other options. We’ll answer any questions you may have financially or about the process in general to give you some confidence in your decision. Regardless, a strong defence against your charges is more valuable to avoid the consequences that can make your life worse.

Youth Criminal Defence Lawyers Burlington

Our team at Collett Read LLP works with clients who fall under the legal category of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Different from those charged over 18 years of age, there are special rules and allowances for those charged for crimes classified as minors. You can be confident that our lawyers are well equipped and effective at providing legal defence for those who are still developing into functioning members of our Burlington community.

Those under the age of 18 are recognized as the next generation of people in our Burlington community, and our Team at Collett Read LLP values their rights with those facts apparent. It’s difficult to make a mistake at that age as right from wrong can’t fully be blamed on them as they’re still developing into contributors of our society. One advantage for them is that they have more lenient laws surrounding their age, and powerful tools that defend their rights compared to older citizens.

We truly enjoy being able to change a minors life for the better due to a criminal charge. We’re hopeful for their rehabilitation and future aspirations. One difference we provide is the ability to mentor them through this tough situation and give them some direction afterwards. We want to get to know them personally, and help them understand the rights they hold at this age. The care we take with our clients comes from the passion we have for helping people. Visit our page on Youth Criminal Defence if you would like more information on the matter.

If you need a strong legal defence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, contact our lawyers at Collett Read LLP for a quality experience and outcome.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Burlington, contact our lawyers at Collett Read LLP immediately to retain a professional and effective team by your side. We’ll protect your rights and ensure you have the best defence available for your case. Our lawyers will be with you every step of the way and make this process as seamless as possible. You can count on us to provide you with a positive outcome.

Arrested in Burlington?

If you or a loved one has been arrested by Burlington Police, you need to call Collett Read LLP in Burlington immediately. We will take care of arranging everything needed, communicate the next steps, and help walk you through this stressful situation.