View Our Team's Recent Successes
R. v. S.Q.P. 2021 Toronto OCJ
Charges: multiple firearm charges
Result: After multiple discussions with Crown Counsel and in light of new evidence Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia was able to secure a withdrawal of all charges and worked tirelessly to ensure that the client was released from custody the same day and able to see his family again
R. v. C.G. 2021 Newmarket SCJ
Charges: multiple firearm charges, multiple trafficking charges, and Failure to Comply
Result: Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia secured a release on a bail review by focusing on numerous Charter issues, a weakened crown case, and the need for the client to properly review disclosure with counsel.
R. v. D.B. 2020 Brampton SCJ
Charges: 1st degree murder
Result: Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia secured a bail for her client currently facing 1st degree murder charges. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the trial had to be retried and the client was stuck in jail with no way of reviewing disclosure or prepping with counsel. With a successful plan Ms. Gadhia was able to secure a release ensuring that the right to a fair trial would be upheld.
R. v. E.I. 2020 Toronto SCJ
Charges: multiple firearm charges
Result: Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia successfully argued the exclusion of a submachine gun (Uzi) after rigorous cross examination of the officers it became abundantly clear that the officers cut corners in order to end their shift earlier and searched the home without consent, and failed to give proper Rights to Counsel. The evidence was excluded and the client was acquitted on all charges.
R. v. J.J. 2019 Brampton, OCJ
Charges: Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference
Result: Client found not guilty on all charges after Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia argued that the allegations were the result of the client’s partner wanting full custody and manipulating their young child into making these allegations.
R. v. I.Z. 2019 Toronto SCJ
Charges: Firearms charges
Result: Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia successfully had a gun excluded from evidence due to Charter violations after officers arbitrarily detained her client for over 1 ½ hours in order to conduct their investigation.
R. v. S.E. 2018 Brampton, OCJ
Charges: Sexual Assault
Result: Client found not guilty of all charges after Senior Counsel R. Roots Gadhia shows the court that the complainant was lying about allegations. After a skillful cross-examination the Court found that the complainant had zero credibility.
R. v. A.N. 2021 Toronto SCJ
Charges: Sexual interference, Sexual Assault
Result: After a 3rd party records application was submitted to Crown Counsel, and upon review of the Application, the Crown agreed to a Peace Bond and all charges were withdrawn against the client saving him from a potentially lengthy sentence and being placed on the SOIRA list.
R. v. Z.T. 2021 Brampton OCJ
Charges: Robbery
Result: Counsel Paula Seymour conducted several discussions with the Crown to demonstrate there are weaknesses in the allegations made by witnesses, but more importantly the police violated the client’s Charter rights during their interview. The Crown ultimately agreed to withdraw the charge.
R. v. E.M. 2021 Peterborough OCJ
Charges: Assault with weapon, Assault
Result: An alleged altercation regarding a drug transaction led to our client being charged with assaulting a person with a hammer. Counsel Paula Seymour pointed to evidentiary issues regarding the credibility and reliability of the complainant, and the Crown ultimately agreed to withdraw the charge saving the client considerable time, resources and the stress of a trial.
R. v. J.M. 2020 Hamilton OCJ
Charges: Sex trafficking under 18, sexual assault under 18, forcible confinement, etc.
Result: Client was out on bail for firearms offences when he was arrested for the sex trafficking, rape and assault of a minor. Despite the seriousness of the allegations and the judge finding there was a substantial likelihood of him re-offending, Counsel Paula Seymour convinced the judge that her client can be released on bail under conditions that still allowed him to travel for work. All charges were subsequently stayed following a judicial pretrial and the first day of a preliminary hearing.
R. v. J.F. 2020 St. Catharines SCJ
Charges: Multiple sex trafficking of a minor offences.
Result: Client was charged with sex trafficking his under-18 year old girlfriend. At trial, the girlfriend denied the allegations so the Crown sought to rely on her police statement to prove our client’s guilt. However after a rigorous cross-examination of the officers and the girlfriend, Counsel Paula Seymour demonstrated the police forced her to lie and had the girlfriend’s statement excluded. Without the statement, the Crown had no evidence and the charges were dismissed. The client walked away free avoiding a lengthy penitentiary sentence.
R. v. L.C. 2020 Toronto OCJ
Charges: Aggravated assault and weapons dangerous
Result: After an extensive review of the video surveillance and multiple judicial pretrials, Counsel Paula Seymour saved the client and his son from the additional trauma of a trial and the charges were withdrawn upon entering into a peace bond.
R. v. L.L. 2021 Toronto OCJ
Charges: robbery charges along with unlawfully in a dwelling and Failure to Comply charges on three separate matters
Result: After reviewing the evidence and multiple discussions with crown counsel Counsel Sorina Cojocaru secured that all charges were to be withdrawn and a Peace Bond was entered into allowing the client to continue his employment and not receive a Criminal Record.
R. v. G.P. 2021 Toronto OCJ
Charges: Possession of cocaine heroin, and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
Result: Client was facing multiple high quantities of fentanyl trafficking charges. After filing materials on Charter breaches crown counsel was required to re-assess the case and offered a 12 month Conditional Sentence. Client was able to receive multiple exceptions in order to continue working and care for his family.
R. v. J.J. – 2021 Brampton
Charges: Expungment of name from the Child Abuse register
Result: Due to criminal charges, that the client was acquitted of, counsel Sorina Cojocaru successfully argued that Peel Children’s Aid were required to remove the client’s name off their registry.
R. v. R.H. 2021 Newmarket OCJ
Charges: multiple residential Break and Enter, proceeds of crime, possession of instruments for a Break and Enter
Results: after numerous discussions with Crown Counsel and Judicial Pretrials Counsel Sorina Cojocaru convinced the Crown to withdraw all charges due to lack of evidence tying her client to the alleged B&E. Charges withdrawn and client entered into a 12 month Peace Bond.
R. v. S.O. 2021Toronto OCJ
Charges: Robbery, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime
Result: Client facing multiple sets of robbery charges but released on bail in order to properly prepare for a defence against the allegations. Counsel was also able to further secure a bail variation to allow for exceptions to the bail for working and furthering his education while the proceedings remain ongoing.
R. v. S.K. 2020 Toronto SCJ
Charges: multiple drug and firearm charges
Result: Counsel Sorina Cojocaru successfully challenged the search warrant for the client’s home and had all items excluded. All charges withdrawn for client and co-accused due to successful Garofoli Application and the crown being left with no evidence to rely on at trial.
R. v. S.E. 2018, 2019 Toronto, Disciplinary Boards
Charges: disciplinary measures from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, College of Massage Therapists, and the College of Traditional Chinese medicine Practioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
Result: Due to criminal charges, the client faced disciplinary measures from the regulatory bodies he was a member of. Counsel Sorina Cojocaru successfully argued against the various Boards on the Client’s behalf that the measures should not result in severe disciplinary action. After numerous rigorous fights with multiple Disciplinary Boards the Client was given an Oral Caution from one of the Boards and found not to have been in breach from the other Boards.
R. v. R. R. 2021 Brampton OCJ
Charges: sexual assault and assault charges
Result: Counsel Thaxsheni Brodie successfully challenged the Complainant’s Counsel’s application to cross-examine the Defendant during the s. 287 hearing. Based on counsel’s submissions, the Judge ruled that the complainant’s counsel does not have a right to cross-examine the Defendant.
R. v. J. G. 2021 Brampton
Charges: Weapons, Possession of fentanyl and other drugs for the purpose of trafficking
Result: Client was facing charges for Possession for Purpose of Trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamines, Breach of Probation, and Possession of Proceeds, when client is arrested for Possession of a Firearm, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking fentanyl, and Breach of Probation. Counsel Thaxsheni Brodie was able to successfully have the client released on bail through a contested bail hearing, by demonstrating the strength of the bail plan.
R. v. A.C. 2020 Toronto West OCJ
Charges: Utter Threat
Result: Through pre-trial discussions with the Crown Attorney, Counsel Thaxsheni Brodie was able to highlight the weaknesses in the allegations, such as the manner in which the complainant was using the Criminal Justice System to deny the client’s access to his son. Counsel was able to have the charges against the client withdrawn.
R. v. D.G. 2021 Toronto OCJ
Charges: Possession for the Purpose
Result: Despite a lack of evidence to connect the client to the alleged substances, the Crown would not withdraw the charges and the matter was scheduled for trial. On the morning of trial, after the Crown’s unsuccessful attempt to have the client sign a Statutory Declaration to implicate his co-accused, the Crown finally withdrew the charges against the client after being persuaded by Counsel Thaxsheni Brodie.
R. v. C.G. 2021 Newmarket OCJ
Charges: Possession of a weapon, Possession of cannabis
Result: During initial pre-trial discussions, the Crown’s position was for the client to plead guilty to all charges with a recommendation of a jail sentence. After Counsel Thaxsheni Brodie filed a Charter Application to challenge the search of the client and his vehicle, the Crown changed their position to a plea to a Possession of Cannabis ticket (a non-criminal disposition).
