The price of solid, serious criminal defence should never be an undue burden.  When your reputation, your freedom, and your ability to travel or maintain employment is at risk, the firm strives to accommodate the individual needs of its clients.

Do you accept Legal Aid?

In certain situations, you may be able to receive assistance from the government to help pay your legal expenses.  Legal Aid Ontario provides “certificates” to clients that qualify based on a comprehensive assessment of their charge, their income level, and their personal assets and net worth.  Norm Stanford accepts Legal Aid certificates for certain serious criminal offences.  If you have not yet applied for Legal Aid, the firm may assist you in understanding how the Legal Aid Ontario process works and with the application process.

How much do you charge?

Your first consultation is always free.  The total cost of a criminal case depends on the difficulty and complexity of the criminal charges.  During your consultation, the firm will determine the cost to defend your case from start to finish and provide you written confirmation of the legal fee.  The firm does not charge for separate court appearances or for meetings with the Crown Attorney or Judge regarding your case.  Also you will not be charged for telephone calls, photocopying and other associated costs.  Certain fees may apply if we need to use expert witnesses, toxicologists (for impaired driving and alcohol related cases), or private investigators.

Are your fees per hour?

No.  Most criminal defence lawyers set their fees on a block-fee basis. Since the criminal defence process can often last for months, it is in the best interest of the client that they are aware of how much their entire case should cost up front.

Can I pay in installments?

The firm does not turn away clients based on financial difficulty with retainer amounts and accommodates its clients by arranging long-term payment plans.  The cost of the best possible criminal defence should not put an undue strain on your family or create unnecessary hardship.

Do you accept credit cards?

The firm accepts Visa, Mastercard, Debit, personal cheques, money orders, and cash.  For complex cases, long-term payment arrangements are made through the office with no need for co-signers or guarantors.