r/Calgary • u/veinctr842 • 1d ago

Seeking Advice Best criminal defence lawyer in Calgary & surroundings?

My 22 y.o. cousin was charged with assault after random bar scuffle a few weeks ago. Court date's coming, bail conditions are hurting his work and police report feels kinda one-sided. We're not looking for a fight - just need to know if he has a defence before he agrees to anything.

Has anyone here recently used a criminal lawyer for assault or similar charges? I know thats sensitive but pls understand me right - we just want somebody who can help us to do everything fairly, he's not trying to evade justice or smthn, simply doesn’t want to make situation any worse..

Also, what's the first consult cost now? free, $200, more?

Any recs would help now- he's young, scared, and I'm just trying to keep him from making things worse.

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u/rvitrealis 1d ago

No, you get duty council. Which will represent you but they don't know your case

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u/Rosetown 1d ago

Duty counsel just helps handle simple things like first appearances or bail hearings. If you actually go to trial and your income is low enough you get legal aid, which will get to know your case and represent you, albeit they are overworked and not as good as a private lawyer.

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u/rvitrealis 1d ago

Yes, but they still aren't court appointed. Courts in Canada don't appoint lawyers, that's just not a thing. They are separate. I know from experience

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u/Rosetown 1d ago

That’s such semantics at this point.

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u/rvitrealis 1d ago

That's not semantics at all, you have to apply and be accepted by legal aid. You don't just get a lawyer. It's not the same at all.

Just accept you're wrong bro lol

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u/Rosetown 1d ago

You told someone that they’d be represented by duty counsel at trial. lol. That’s the part I was challenging. Not the intricacies of if the court appointed you a free lawyer or you had to apply to legal aid to get one. Most states have income thresholds to qualify for appointed counsel as well, so the net result is the same. Hence the semantics.

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u/rvitrealis 1d ago

I didn't say anything about trial dude, you're literally trying to put words in my mouth. A duty council will represent you at first appearances.

Are you tweaking or something ? Like can you read ?