Criminal Defence with Unwavering Dedication
At Santarossa Law, we understand that there’s no such thing as a “minor” criminal charge—every case can have serious consequences for your future, your family, your career, and your freedom. That’s why we treat every file with the highest level of importance and care.
As a firm that exclusively practices criminal defence, Santarossa Law is committed to protecting your rights and providing a strong, strategic defence—no matter the charge.
When choosing a criminal defence lawyer, it’s critical to work with someone who:
- Understands the law
- Believes in your case
- Is prepared to fight for your rights at every stage
Julie Santarossa brings years of courtroom experience, legal expertise, and a client-first approach to every case. She will stand with you, advocate for you, and ensure you receive the full defence you deserve.
The stakes are high—choose a lawyer you can trust to protect what matters most.
Assault
What Is An Assault?
An assault can be something as simple as pushing or something as serious as stabbing another person. The legal definition of an assault is the intentional application of force to another person without their consent.
An assault charge can be qualified by related provisions such as assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault. If you are charged with these offences, you should know that our law allows for several defences including self-defence, consent, mistaken consent and Charter arguments.
What Should You Expect?
If a complaint of an assault has been made against you, you may be arrested. If you have been arrested you should expect to be taken to a police station and be processed. It is important to remember that you are never obligated to give a statement to the police and you should avoid doing so as it may seriously hinder your defence.
You have a right to a lawyer upon your arrest and you should contact our office as soon as given an opportunity. Our office will then provide you with the advice and support you need to help you navigate through the legal system.
You should always contact and seek legal advice to fully understand your defences and rights when faced with this serious charge.
Sexual Assault
What is a Sexual Assault?
A sexual assault essentially has the same definition as an assault but with a sexual component. It is the intentional application of force to another person in a sexual manner without their consent. It could mean anything from an allegation of touching another person in a sexual manner to forced sexual intercourse. We defend all types of sexual assault and related offences including aggravated sexual assault, forcible confinement, sexual interference of a minor and sexual exploitation and internet luring. There are numerous defences to a sexual assault allegation such as consent, mistaken consent and Charter arguments.
What Should You Expect?
An allegation of sexual assault or a related charge is serious in nature and may carry significant consequences including a possible jail sentence (depending on the severity of the alleged conduct) and registration into the Sexual Offender's List. An allegation of this nature cannot be taken lightly and must be addressed immediately.
If you are charged with a sexual offence you should contact our office so we can take the immediate steps your case needs; allowing you to gain some peace of mind while we handle your legal matters.
Drug Related
What Are Drug Related Offences?
There are many types of drug related offences that we represent including:
- Possession of drugs;
- Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking;
- Importation of drugs into Canada; and
- Cultivation, production and manufacture of drugs from marijuana grow-ops to meth labs.
The severity and potential consequence for a drug related offence depends on the type and quantity of the drug and the nature of its alleged possession. For example, the possession of a small amount of marijuana may lead to a less severe penalty, but still can result in a criminal conviction. If you are charged with minor possession of marijuana you may qualify for diversion that would allow you to avoid a criminal conviction, contact our office to see if this applies to your case. However, the possession, trafficking or importation of cocaine often results in stern penal consequences. The laws for drug related offences have recently changed to cause for more significant penalties, including lengthy jail sentences, for many types of drug related activity. It is important to choose a lawyer that has experience dealing with these types of offences.
What Should You Expect?
Drug related trials can be complex which may involve overcoming search warrants, wiretaps and informants. A talented lawyer can offer a defence for your particular case, according to your particular circumstances. A lawyer will question whether the evidence against you was obtained legally. For example, was the evidence obtained through a search warrant? Or did the police perform an illegal search?
If you need help with a drug related charge, don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Impaired Driving
What is Impaired Driving?
Impaired driving is also referred to as driving under the influence (DUI). In order for the Crown to obtain a conviction they must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol or a drug. The Crown can attempt to prove their case by calling witnesses to demonstrate bad driving, odour of alcohol on a person's breath, slurred speech, blood-shot eyes, unsteadiness on feet etc. (although these factors, in and of themselves, are often not enough to lead to a conviction). There are numerous defences to impaired driving charges such as vigorous cross-examinations of alleged observations of the supposed erratic driving, that such observations were incorrect, exaggerated or simply mistaken, and that this evidence is totally consistent with a sober driver.
Also, alcohol on a person's breath does not necessarily mean that he or she is impaired, only that he or she had consumed alcohol in the near past. Likewise, there are many innocent explanations for blood-shot eyes, coordination problems and slurred speech such as being extremely tired or nervous. An accused person may call his own witnesses at trial. All of this together may lead to a reasonable doubt in the Crown's case against you, allowing for an acquittal of the charges.
What Should You Expect?
A conviction for impaired driving is a criminal conviction. For a first offence, the minimum mandatory punishment is a $1000 fine and a 1 year driving prohibition. However, recently the government has created the Back on Track and Interlock Ignition Device programs that may allow you to drive as soon as 3 months, instead of the 1 year driving prohibition. A second or third conviction for impaired driving will lead to automatic jail time and a loss of your licence for a lengthy period of time. Overall, a conviction for impaired driving can result in:
- A criminal conviction;
- Loss of licence for a period of time;
- Increased insurance fees;
- Difficulty travelling to the United States; and
- Serious jail terms for cases causing bodily harm or death.
You should contact our office to determine if you qualify for the Back on Track program or for legal advice for your impaired driving charge.
Exceed Legal Limit (DUI)
What is Exceed Legal Limit?
An Exceed or 'Over 80' charge, sometimes commonly called a "DUI", refers to driving with more than 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. This charge is often laid when you provide two separate samples of breath into an Intoxilyzer or Breathalyzer and the lower of the two readings is Over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The government has recently enacted Bill C-2 making amendments to the nature of a defence to an Exceed charge. Despite this, there are numerous defences available to this charge including challenging the proper working order the equipment used to take a sample of breath, operator error in using the equipment, Charter challenges for possible violations of your rights to counsel and counsel of choice and Constitutional challenges to the legislation seeking a ruling from that Court that the new legislative provisions are unconstitutional.
What Should You Expect?
An Exceed or Over 80 conviction can lead to the same devastating consequences as an impaired conviction such as:
- A criminal conviction;
- A fine or jail time (depending on whether it is a first or subsequent conviction);
- Loss of licence of a period of time;
- Increased insurance fees;
- Difficulty travelling to the United States; and
- Serious jail time for cases causing bodily harm or death.
The Back on Track and Interlock programs are also available to people charged with Exceed the Legal Limit. You should contact our office to determine if you qualify for these programs or for legal advice for your Exceed the Legal Limit charge.
Regulatory Offences
What is a Regulatory Offence?
A regulatory offence is a non-criminal or quasi-criminal offence that is regulated for the wellbeing of the public interest. There are many types of regulatory legislation including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Liquor Licence Act, and the Highway Traffic Act. The prosecution of a regulatory offence is similar to a criminal offence, whereby the same rules, procedures and evidence issue apply. Although a conviction for a regulatory offence is not a criminal conviction, it can often lead to significant fines and the appropriate governing body maintains records of the alleged offending conduct that may affect your ability to operate in the future.
What Should You Expect?
Regulatory offences are often complex that may involve the use of information obtained through a search warrant and business records tending to demonstrate a strict liability defence. There are numerous defences to regulatory offences that we can help you with.
If you are charged with a regulatory offence, contact our office so we can protect your interests and rights.