Criminal Defense Lawyers in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is home to many permanent residents, international students, work-permit holders and people waiting for citizenship. For them, a criminal charge can threaten their future in Canada, not just their record. A plea that looks minor in criminal court can have serious consequences under immigration law.
Provident Law LLP’s partners defend people charged by York Regional Police in Richmond Hill and plan every step with immigration consequences in mind. When needed, we work alongside your immigration lawyer
- 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.
Yonge Street, Highway 404, Highway 407, Major Mackenzie Drive, Bayview Avenue
Not listed?
Call us. A partner will tell you honestly whether we can help at your court location.
Permanent resident
Key risk: Inadmissibility for serious criminality
What we focus on: Avoiding a conviction or keeping the sentence below key thresholds
Work or study permit holde
Key risk: Inadmissibility for criminality, refused renewals
What we focus on: Non-conviction outcomes such as withdrawals and peace bonds
Citizenship applicant
Key risk: Application cannot proceed while certain charges are outstanding
What we focus on: Resolving the charge efficiently and favourably
Visitor
Key risk: Removal and future entry problems
What we focus on: Early resolution and coordination with immigration counsel
Permanent Residents
A permanent resident can lose status if convicted of an offence with a maximum penalty of at least 10 years, or if sentenced to more than six months in jail. Many common charges, including assault causing bodily harm, theft over $5,000 and some drug offences, carry 10-year maximums. That makes the choice of plea, the charge you plead to and the sentence critical. We negotiate with these thresholds in mind from the very first discussion with the Crown.
Work Permit, Study Permit and Visitor Status
Foreign nationals face a stricter test than permanent residents. A conviction for an indictable or hybrid offence can make you inadmissible for criminality, which can lead to removal or refusal of a future permit or permanent residence application. Even impaired driving is now treated as serious criminality for immigration purposes. Outcomes that avoid a conviction, such as a withdrawal, a peace bond or diversion, are often the most important goal.
Citizenship Applications
If you are applying for Canadian citizenship, you generally cannot be granted citizenship while you are charged with an indictable offence, and some convictions create a waiting period before you can apply again. A pending charge can therefore delay your oath ceremony. Tell us about any application at your first meeting, so we can plan the timing of your case and keep immigration authorities properly informed through your immigration lawyer.
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.
Assault and threats
Impaired driving on Highway 404 and Yonge Street
Drug offences and bail hearings
Theft and shoplifting at Hillcrest Mall and local stores
What we offer | Why it matters for non-citizens |
|---|---|
Immigration-aware strategy | Every plea option is checked against immigration thresholds before it is discussed with the Crown |
Coordination with immigration counsel | Your criminal and immigration lawyers work from the same plan |
York Region court experience | We appear at the Newmarket courthouse where Richmond Hill cases are heard |
Plain-language advice | We explain complex rules clearly so you can make informed decisions |
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.
Richmond Hill Criminal Lawyer FAQs
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If you are not a Canadian citizen, it is often wise. A criminal lawyer defends the charge and negotiates the outcome, while an immigration lawyer advises on how that outcome will be treated by immigration authorities and handles any proceedings with them. We regularly coordinate with immigration counsel so both parts of your case support each other.
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It is possible, depending on your status, the offence and the sentence. A first offence does not protect you from immigration consequences, because the rules focus on the type of offence and the penalty, not your history. That is why non-conviction outcomes like withdrawals, peace bonds and diversion are so valuable for non-citizens. We pursue them wherever the evidence allows.
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An absolute or conditional discharge is not a conviction under Canadian criminal law, and it is generally not treated as a conviction for Canadian immigration purposes. It still involves a finding of guilt, though, and other countries may view it differently. If you plan to travel or immigrate elsewhere, we discuss those risks before you accept any resolution.
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A peace bond is not a conviction and is not a finding of guilt, so it generally does not create inadmissibility under Canadian immigration law. It is therefore often an excellent outcome for permanent residents and permit holders. You must still follow its conditions for the full term, because breaching a peace bond is a criminal offence that could lead to a conviction.
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Many immigration forms ask about pending charges, and you must answer truthfully. A false answer can be treated as misrepresentation, which carries its own serious penalties. Before you complete any application or attend an interview, speak to both your criminal lawyer and an immigration lawyer so your answer is accurate, complete and does not harm your criminal case.
Contact a Richmond Hill Criminal Defence Lawyer
Call (647) 254-9617, 24/7, or book your free case review. Learn about our criminal defence services.