Summary Charges Defended: Types of Cases Available for Paralegal Representation Assistance

Question: Can an Ontario paralegal represent me on a summary conviction criminal charge or a hybrid charge being prosecuted by summary procedure?

Answer: In Ontario, Paladin LLP provides paralegal defence representation for eligible summary conviction matters and for hybrid charges when the Crown elects to proceed by summary conviction, helping you understand your rights, assess risks, and prepare your defence.  Because conviction can carry significant penalties, it’s important to get case-specific advice early to confirm eligibility for paralegal representation and the best next steps.

Defence Representation Services

In Ontario, paralegals are authorized to represent clients in certain types of criminal cases categorized as summary conviction procedures.  This summary conviction category of cases typically involves lesser serious offences when compared to indictable offences.  As summary conviction matters, these types of cases are prosecuted in a manner that, generally, seeks to resolve the case more quickly than the process applicable to indictable offences.  For some charges, known as hybrid charges, the case may fall into either the summary conviction category or the indictable category based upon the choice of the prosecutor.  With paralegals available to provide assistance with summary conviction procedures as well as hybrid charges for which the prosecutor choose to proceed using the summary conviction process, legal services can be made more accessible to accused persons.

Charges That May Be Handled Include:

Get Professional Help:

Charges alleging violation of the Criminal Code come with the risk of significant penalties upon conviction.  Always seek a professional opinion regarding the potential consequences as well as the applicable rights and defence strategies available to the specific type of case and charges involved.