Oshawa Criminal Lawyers
As Oshawa criminal lawyers, Charitsis Law defends individuals charged with criminal offences in Durham Region and throughout the GTA.
Over the past 25 years, we’ve learned what wins cases. That experience helps us identify weaknesses in the Crown’s case, develop effective defence strategies, and guide our clients through the criminal court process.
The hundreds of Google reviews from former clients reflect the trust and confidence people have placed in our team over the years.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, call 416-731-7113, and let’s discuss your case.
Speak directly with a Oshawa criminal lawyer Nicholas Charitsis, a former Crown Attorney with 25 years experience in the criminal courts. Get real advice about your case and learn how you can fight the charges.
What This Means for You:
- Criminal defence built on real courtroom experience: Over 25 years handling cases in Ontario courts allows us to identify weaknesses in the evidence and respond with the right strategy
- Focused approach aimed at strong results: Hundreds of positive reviews reflect how cases are handled and the outcomes achieved for clients.
- Clear advice so you know where you stand: Your situation, the court process, and your options are explained in plain language so you can make informed decisions at every stage
As Oshawa criminal lawyers, Charitsis Law brings decades of combined criminal defence experience and a strong understanding of courtroom procedures throughout the Durham Region courts.
Court Location
Ontario Court of Justice – Oshawa
150 Bond Street East
Oshawa, ON L1G 0A2
Contact
Phone: 4167317113
Secretary: 416-665-6800
Email: nick@charitsislaw.com
Oshawa Court & Durham Region Criminal Charges
The Oshawa Courthouse is the primary criminal court serving Durham Region. If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Uxbridge, Scugog, or Brock Township, your case will likely be heard here.
The Oshawa Courthouse hears a wide range of criminal matters, including:
- Bail Hearings – Applications to release an accused from custody while their case is before the court.
- Impaired Driving (DUI) Charges – Charges involving impaired driving, over 80, refusal, and other Criminal Code driving offences.
- Judicial Pre-Trials – Meetings between the judge, Crown Attorney, and defence lawyer to discuss the case before trial.
- Domestic Assault Charges – Criminal charges involving spouses, partners, or other family members.
- Youth Criminal Cases – Proceedings involving young persons charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
- Criminal Trials – Trials where the Crown Attorney must prove the criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
If your case is before the Oshawa Courthouse, our criminal defence lawyers can explain the court process, review the evidence, and tell you how we’re going to fight your charges.
Where Is the Oshawa Courthouse Located?
The Oshawa courthouse is located at 150 Bond Street East in Oshawa, Ontario.
The courthouse is situated in downtown Oshawa and is accessible from Highway 401 and Simcoe Street, making it convenient for individuals travelling from communities across Durham Region including Whitby, Ajax, Toronto, and surrounding areas.
Parking is available near the courthouse, with several public parking areas and street parking located within walking distance of the building.
We regularly appear at the Oshawa courthouse, located at 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa, Ontario L1G 0A2, representing clients throughout Durham Region.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Oshawa
As Oshawa criminal lawyers, we’ve helped hundreds of people charged with criminal offences protect their future. Our years of experience in the Oshawa courts, together with the hundreds of five-star Google reviews from former clients, reflect the confidence people have placed in our team.
If you’ve been charged with one of the offences below, call and speak with Oshawa criminal lawyer Nicholas Charitsis before making any decisions. We’ll answer your questions, review your case, and explain we can fight your charge(s).
- Impaired Driving & DUI Charges: Defending impaired driving allegations including drive over 80 mgs, care and control while impaired, and refuse breathalyzer tests. Each case is reviewed carefully with attention to roadside stops, breath testing procedures, and the evidence relied upon by police.
- Assault & Domestic Allegations: Providing advice and legal guidance to individuals facing allegations including domestic assault, common assault, assault causing bodily harm, and uttering threats. Each case is reviewed carefully with attention to witness statements, police evidence, and the surrounding circumstances.
- Driving Charges: Defending driving-related allegations including dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, and fail to stop after an accident. Each case is reviewed carefully with attention to the driving evidence, witness statements, and the circumstances relied upon by police.
- Other Criminal Charges — including offences not specifically listed above. Our lawyers can review the details of your case, explain your legal options, and develop a defence strategy tailored to your situation. If your charge is not listed, we can still provide clear legal guidance and representation.
Charitsis Law regularly represents clients at the Oshawa courthouse and understands how criminal matters progress within the Durham Region court system. Local courtroom experience allows us to anticipate procedural steps, review disclosure effectively, and prepare a focused defence strategy from the outset.
Meet our Team of Oshawa Criminal Lawyers
The criminal lawyers at Charitsis Law defend individuals facing criminal charges in Oshawa and throughout Durham Region, supported by over 25 years of criminal defence experience in Ontario courts.
Why Experience Matters in Criminal Defence
As criminal lawyers in Oshawa, we know experience counts in criminal defence.
The Oshawa court-house is among the busiest courts in Canada, and the criminal lawyers who appear there regularly develop a practical understanding of how cases are handled, how the Crown Attorney approaches prosecutions, and which defence strategies are most effective.
Over time, that experience becomes a real advantage for our clients. As Oshawa criminal lawyers, we understand what defence strategies are more likely to succeed, weaknesses in the evidence, and how best defend you.
Experience teaches you what wins cases.
Criminal Court Process in Oshawa
Bail Hearings
If a person is not released by police after an arrest in Durham Region the matter will usually proceed to a bail hearing before a justice of the peace at the Oshawa courthouse.
Bail hearings determine whether the accused can be released from custody while their case continues through the criminal court process. In most cases, the court must review the detention within 24 hours of the arrest or as soon as reasonably possible.
At a bail hearing, the court focuses on three key considerations:
- ensuring the accused attends future court dates
- protecting public safety
- maintaining confidence in the administration of justice
Proper preparation before a bail hearing — including identifying suitable sureties and presenting a structured release plan — can significantly influence the outcome. Consulting with an experienced Oshawa criminal defence lawyer before the hearing can help ensure these issues are properly addressed.
Proper preparation before a bail hearing can significantly influence the outcome. If you or a family member is facing a bail hearing at the Oshawa courthouse, call Charitsis Law at 416-731-7113 to speak with an experienced criminal defence lawyer.
First Appearance and Disclosure
The first appearance at the Oshawa courthouse is usually brief and administrative. At this stage, the Crown will ask whether you are represented by a lawyer and confirm that disclosure — the evidence the Crown intends to rely upon — will be provided to the defence.
Disclosure may include materials such as:
- police officer notes
- witness statements
- video or audio recordings
- forensic reports and photographs
After disclosure is provided, the case is typically adjourned to a future court date so the evidence can be reviewed and legal advice obtained.
The Crown generally expects that by the next appearance you will have spoken with a criminal defence lawyer and be prepared to discuss how the matter should proceed, including the possibility of resolution discussions or scheduling a judicial pre-trial.
Resolution Discussions and Pre-Trials
After disclosure has been reviewed, discussions often take place between the defence and the Crown regarding how the case may proceed. This stage typically involves a Crown pre-trial, where the Crown and defence lawyer discuss the evidence, potential legal issues, and whether the matter can be resolved without proceeding to trial.
In more serious or complex cases, the court may schedule a judicial pre-trial before a judge. Judicial pre-trials are generally reserved for matters that are likely to proceed to trial and are intended to narrow the issues, address legal questions, and help the court manage the case efficiently.
When a Case Proceeds to Trial
If a criminal matter cannot be resolved through earlier discussions, the case may proceed to trial at the Oshawa courthouse. At trial, the Crown must present evidence and prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt before the court. This stage requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of both the evidence and the legal issues involved.ed.
At Charitsis Law, trial preparation begins well before the hearing date. Our defence strategy may include:
- detailed review and analysis of disclosure
- preparing cross-examination of Crown witnesses
- identifying legal issues or potential Charter arguments
- assessing whether certain evidence should be challenged or excluded
Trial advocacy requires experience, preparation, and strategic judgment. Charitsis Law approaches every trial with a focus on carefully examining the Crown’s case and presenting a strong defence on behalf of our clients.
Why a Local Oshawa Criminal Lawyer Matters
Criminal defence is not generic. While the Criminal Code is the same across Canada, the way cases are scheduled, managed, and even prosecuted can vary by courthouse.
As experienced Oshawa criminal lawyers appearing at the Oshawa courthouse, we have the background and experience to provide our clients with strong legal defence throughout Durham Region.
Knowing the court and the people who work there, allows as as your legal representative to:
- Build strong relationships and reputations
- Insight into how criminal matters are typically structured
- Understand how the court and the crown attorney perceive cases
- Practical preparation for judicial pre-trials and trial dates
- Awareness of how disclosure is commonly organized and reviewed
Criminal charges move through defined stages, and each decision can influence the outcome. Knowing how matters progress in Oshawa helps ensure that defence strategy is aligned with local practice.
Experience matters. Preparation matters. Strategic decision-making matters.
When facing a criminal charge in Durham Region having a lawyer that understands both the law and the local process can make a meaningful difference to your case.
Meet Nicholas Charitsis
Former Crown Attorney Nicholas Charitsis has spent years defending clients appearing before the Oshawa Courthouse.
When you call Charitsis Law, you’ll speak directly with Nicholas Charitsis about your case.
Call today at 416-731-7113.
FAQs About Criminal Charges in Oshawa
A. Choosing the best Oshawa criminal lawyer is about more than comparing legal fees.
You only get one opportunity to defend your case, so it is important to choose a lawyer with experience handling criminal charges like yours, a strong reputation, and years of experience appearing at the Oshawa Courthouse.
Before hiring a lawyer, read their Google reviews and see what former clients have to say. Ask who will be handling your case, whether they regularly appear in the Oshawa courts, and how they would approach defending your charge.
An experienced criminal lawyer should be able to explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case, answer your questions clearly, and discuss the defence strategies that may be available.
Choosing a lawyer based on price alone can be a costly mistake.
You only get one chance to defend your case, so choose the lawyer you believe gives you the best opportunity to protect your future.
Experience teaches you what wins cases.
A. The first court date is normally called a first appearance or a set date. It is not a trial.
In most cases, the Crown Attorney give you the police disclosure, if it is available, and ask whether you have spoken to or retained a criminal lawyer.
After giving you the disclosure the crown attorney will encourage you to get legal advice before making any decisions about your case.
If you have not yet spoken with a lawyer, your case will normally be adjourned to another to be spoken to date. This gives you time to review the disclosure, understand the evidence, and discuss your case with an Oshawa criminal lawyer before deciding how to proceed.
If you retain Charitsis Law, we can often appear on your behalf by filing a Designation of Counsel, meaning you may not have to attend many routine court appearances.
Once the disclosure has been reviewed, our Oshawa criminal lawyers will contact the Crown Attorney assigned to your case, identify weaknesses in the evidence, discuss available defence strategies, and work toward the best possible outcome.
A. Many criminal charges are withdrawn, reduced, dismissed, or successfully defended every day in the Ontario courts. The question is whether your case is one of them.
The honest answer is that nobody knows until the entire case has been reviewed. That means comparing your version of what happened with the police disclosure, the evidence, and the applicable law. Until that process takes place, neither you nor anyone else can honestly tell you whether your charge can be successfully challenged.
The first step is to call and speak with Oshawa criminal lawyer Nicholas Charitsis. Once he and his team have reviewed the disclosure, answered your questions, and put all the pieces together, they can explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case, the available defence strategies, and whether there may be opportunities to have your charge reduced, withdrawn, dismissed, or successfully defended.
A. Not always. If you hire Charitsis Law, we can often appear on your behalf by filing a Designation of Counsel with the court. This means you may not have to attend many routine court appearances while we obtain the disclosure, speak with the Crown Attorney, and work on your case.
There are some court appearances, such as a trial or other important proceedings, where your attendance may be required. However, many clients appreciate knowing they do not have to take time away from work or family for every court date.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, call and speak with Oshawa criminal lawyer Nicholas Charitsis. He can explain the court process, tell you when your attendance will be required, and discuss whether a Designation of Counsel is available in your case.
A. Every criminal case is different, so there is no set timeline. Some cases are resolved within a few months, while others take longer depending on the seriousness of the charge, how quickly the police disclosure is provided, whether additional evidence must be reviewed, and whether the case proceeds to trial.
Many cases involve several to be spoken to court dates while your lawyer reviews the disclosure, discusses the case with the Crown Attorney, and explores opportunities to have the charge reduced, withdrawn, or otherwise resolved.
If you would like a better idea of how long your case may take, call and speak with Oshawa criminal lawyer Nicholas Charitsis. After reviewing your charge and the stage your case has reached, he can explain the court process, answer your questions, and give you a realistic idea of what to expect.
If you are facing criminal charges in Oshawa or anywhere in Durham Region, speaking with an experienced criminal defence lawyer early can make an important difference in how your case proceeds.
Contact Charitsis Law at 416-731-7113 to discuss your situation and learn how we can assist you.
