Etobicoke Criminal Lawyers, Right Next Door in Mississauga
Etobicoke borders Mississauga, and our office near Highway 401 and Highway 427 is closer to many Etobicoke homes than downtown Toronto is. That makes it easy to meet in person, review disclosure together and prepare without losing a day to travel.
Provident Law LLP’s partners defend Etobicoke residents charged by the Toronto Police Service. Many of the cases we see here start in a store: a shoplifting accusation, a stop by loss prevention staff and, soon after, a letter demanding payment.
- 24/7 arrest and bail line: (647) 254-9617
- Free, confidential case review with a partner, not an assistant
- Courts we appear in: Brampton (Peel) and courts across the GTA
- Legal Aid Ontario certificates accepted
Criminal Case Evaluation
Complete the form below and one of our legal professionals will contact you shortly.
Shoplifting and Retail Theft in Etobicoke
Large shopping centres such as Sherway Gardens and Cloverdale Mall, along with big-box stores along The Queensway and Kipling, mean retail theft charges are common in Etobicoke. These cases have features that most people do not expect.
Not listed?
Call us. A partner will tell you honestly whether we can help at your court location.
Being Stopped by Loss Prevention
Store security and loss prevention staff can arrest a person they find committing an offence on or in relation to the property they are protecting, and must hand that person over to police promptly. They often question you first and may ask you to sign a statement. Anything you say or write can be used in court. Their use of force and their observations are frequently challenged at trial, so we always obtain the store’s video and incident reports.
Civil Demand Letters From Retailers
After a shoplifting incident, many people receive a letter from a law firm or recovery company demanding several hundred dollars, separate from the criminal case. This is a civil claim, not a fine, and paying it does not end the criminal charge. Ignoring it does not create a criminal record either. Speak to us before you pay or reply, because your response can affect the criminal case.
Diversion for First-Time Theft Charges
For many first-time shoplifting and theft under $5,000 charges, the Crown may offer diversion, for example through Ontario’s Direct Accountability Program. You complete a task such as community service, a donation or a counselling session, and the charge is withdrawn. Diversion is not guaranteed and depends on the facts and your history. We ask for it early and present the information the Crown needs to approve it.
Wherever you were charged, start with one call
A partner will tell you honestly how we can help with your court location.
Criminal Case Evaluation
Complete the form below and one of our legal professionals will contact you shortly.
Charge: Assault and domestic assault
Learn more: Assault · Domestic assault
Charge: Impaired driving after stops on the 427 and the Gardiner
Learn more: Impaired driving defence
Charge: Drug possession and trafficking
Learn more: Drug offences
Charge: Bail hearings at 2201 Finch
Learn more: Bail hearings
Charge: Fraud and larger theft cases
Learn more: Theft and fraud
What we offer | Why it matters in Etobicoke |
|---|---|
An office next door | Mississauga borders Etobicoke, so in-person meetings are quick to arrange |
Disclosure reviewed with you | We go through store video and police notes together, page by page |
Retail theft experience | We know how loss prevention reports are written and where they often fall short |
Toronto court experience | We appear at the bail centre and the Toronto Courthouse where Etobicoke cases go |
The lawyers who will handle your case
Charnpreet Saini
Lawyer & Partner
As a founding partner at Provident Law LLP, Preet focuses on Criminal Defence law.
Armandeep Gill
Lawyer & Partner
As a founding partner at Provident Law LLP, Arman practices in the Criminal Defence Law.
Etobicoke Criminal Lawyer FAQs
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Not without advice. The letter is a civil request for money that is separate from the criminal charge, and paying it will not make the charge go away. In some cases, restitution arranged through the criminal process is a better use of that money. We review the letter, explain your options and make sure nothing you send can be used against you.
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Only if you are convicted. Many first-time shoplifting charges end in diversion and a withdrawal, which means no conviction. A discharge is also possible and is not a conviction. Police may keep fingerprints and photos after a withdrawal, but you can usually apply to have them destroyed. We guide you through that step once the case ends.
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Because our office is close to Etobicoke, we can often arrange an in-person meeting within days, or a video call sooner. For urgent matters, such as a family member held for bail, call our 24/7 line and we will act immediately. Bring your release papers, any letters from the store and the names of witnesses to the first meeting so we can start right away.
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Yes. Under Ontario's Trespass to Property Act, a store can give you a notice banning you from its premises, sometimes across all its locations. Entering after receiving that notice is a provincial offence, separate from any criminal charge. Keep any written notice you were given and avoid the store while the case is ongoing, even if you believe the ban is unfair.
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Mistakes happen, especially at busy self-checkouts or when items are carried between departments. The Crown must prove you intended to take the goods without paying, not simply that an item left the store unpaid. Receipts, bank records, the full store video and the layout of the checkout area can all show an honest mistake. We gather that evidence early, before footage is deleted.
Contact an Etobicoke Criminal Defence Lawyer
Call (647) 254-9617, 24/7, or book a free case review. Learn more about our theft defence.