FAQ

I have been charged with a criminal offence, what should I do?

The first thing you need to do is to call a criminal defence lawyer immediately in order to understand your rights. A criminal lawyer will help you understand the criminal law procedural process as well as the importance of attending your first court appearance. It’s critical that you do not make any decisions without a consultation with a criminal defence lawyer first, particularly because a rash decision can be costly for your case. Everything that you say to a criminal lawyer remains confidential.

Can I resolve my case quickly?

Every case is different. The timing depends on the complexity of the case and the discussions that take place between a criminal defence lawyer and the Crown Attorney. Procedurally, court scheduling also plays a role in how long it takes to resolve your case. Our goal is to resolve your case as quickly as possible, with minimal impact to your daily life.

Do I have to appear in court or can my lawyer appeal for me?

It depends on whether you retained a criminal defence lawyer. Our practice is to appear in court for you, without you having to appear yourself. This allows you to continue your life with minimal disruptions. In order for a lawyer to appear in court for you, a designation of counsel must be filed with the court in some instances by your lawyer.

The Police have showed up at my door. Do I have to talk to them?

The short answer is no, you do not. If the police obtained a warrant or there are exigent circumstances, it is likely that you would have to open the door. You have the right to examine the warrant if the police claim they have one. There are some situations which would require the police to use force to break into your home. Call us immediately upon your first available opportunity if this occurs.

Am I required to provide a statement to police?

You have no legal obligation to provide a statement to the police. If the police are questioning you about your involvement in a crime, even if they are persistent, they are not doing this to help you. The police are actively trying to obtain evidence to be used against you. Generally speaking, everything you say is video and audio recorded. These recordings can be used against you later on as your case progresses. You have the right to remain silent and it is a right that you should exercise. Always be respectful with the police and just decline their invitation to talk about the case. Express your desire to speak to a lawyer.

What happens during my first court appearance?

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, there are several ways in which you can be summoned to court. If you have been given a promise to appear, you will have a court date and courtroom number in the notice. This is not your trial date, at this stage, you will have to appear in court in front of a judge or a justice of the peace. You will likely receive your package of initial disclosure, which is the evidence that the state intends to rely upon against you. Be prepared to spend an entire day in the courthouse if you have not retained a lawyer. Call us to ask about your first appearance at no cost to you.

How do I pick a lawyer?

Picking a lawyer can be challenging. Large firms often source out the most important part of a criminal law file to articling students, which can be detrimental to your case. We believe in working on the entire file from start to finish without sourcing out work. We become intimately familiar with every aspect of your file. It is also important to be comfortable with your lawyer as this is the person who will fight for you. We do our best to answer your questions and are dedicated to our craft. We live and breathe every aspect of the law and are here to protect your rights.

I have never been charged with a criminal offence, what should I do?

We often get calls from clients charged with different types of crimes where the natural inclination is to simply tell the police that they are innocent, hoping that the case will end right there and then. Unfortunately, the threshold to lay charges in Canada is low. A simple allegation against you can often times net criminal charges, even if you did nothing wrong. This is often true with domestic assault cases, where one partner makes frivolous allegations against their own partner in the heat of the moment. A criminal defence lawyer will be able to assess the case and point to the weaknesses in the evidence against you in order to have the charges withdrawn completely.

What our clients say about us

5.0

Based on 185 reviews from Google

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Bovi House 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am very grateful for Igor Vilkhov guidance and support throughout my case. Their professionalism, knowledge, and responsiveness made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. I highly recommend their services to anyone needing a skilled and trustworthy lawyer.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Adam Marshall 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attempted murder and 7 gun charges.  Igor got every single charge withdrawn.  Needless to say I was innocent.

Don't expect him to hold your hand the whole time, but the results speak for itself.  Highly recommend him.  Thank you Igor and the team for your service.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Junaid Qureshi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am extremely grateful to Igor and his team, especially Daniel and Ecem, for everything they did for me during one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was facing very serious charges, and the legal process lasted nearly four years. It was an incredibly stressful and painful journey, but they stood by me every step of the way.

Igor, as the lead lawyer, demonstrated exceptional professionalism, confidence, and deep knowledge of the law. From the very beginning, he was strategic, honest, and fully committed to defending me. Daniel and Ecem were also outstanding — handling communication, paperwork, court appearances, transfers, and ensuring I was always informed and prepared.

Thanks to their hard work, dedication, and persistence, all of the serious charges against me were eventually withdrawn. That outcome changed my life, and I truly believe it would not have been possible without their relentless effort and expertise.

Throughout those four years, they treated me with respect, dignity, and understanding. They gave me reassurance during moments of uncertainty and never made me feel alone in the process.

I highly recommend Igor and his team to anyone in need of strong, reliable, and genuinely caring legal representation. I will always be thankful for what they did for me.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   M A 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A family member of mine was going through a court case. We as a family have never dealt with anything of the sorts. We found Igor through a website of top ten lawyers in GTA and thank God for that. The process was stressful and took a while, but he made my family member calm and confident through it all.

I would highly recommend Igor. He’s solid.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cindy Salazar Blanco 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son was facing an extremely serious charge that could’ve ruined his future. Igor and his team handled the matter so well that my son walked away a free man. I honestly can’t thank him enough for his very very hard work. All the way from Orillia. Thank you Igor!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Popov 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I express my deep gratitude to Igor Vilkhov for his work on my case. He did a great job and achieved a fair outcome and the dismissal of all charges against me. Igor was in constant contact, kept me informed of every step, and was ready to answer any questions I had.
I can confidently recommend him as an excellent specialist in his field.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen Ma 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An exceptional criminal defense lawyer with strong legal expertise, sharp judgment, and unwavering professionalism consistently delivering reliable and effective representation for clients.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Keilan Salazar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Igor vilkhov was the best lawyer I could ever ask for. he helped me so much. He is the best lawyer a person could have and I am so grateful and thankful how he helped me and changed my life
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ryan Konopud 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found myself in a VERY unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.

I spoke briefly with Igor on the phone, and he was candid, factual, and completely selfless in both his listening and the advice he gave. He's a straight shooter, and I could tell right away he knows his stuff—this is someone who's been there and seen it all. He wasn't afraid to speak the hard truths that were most helpful to me, which I very much appreciated!

There was also no pressure to hire or any mention of fees, which was refreshing to say the least.

His colleague Michael was also very patient and kind during the process.

I'd highly recommend Mr. Vilkhov (Vilkhov Law in Toronto) to anyone needing honest, experienced guidance on a criminal matter. Dude is a gentleman and a scholar. You're safe with him.

Cheers!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ervin sdfs 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service. Got my charges dropped.