Drug Offences Charges in Mississauga
If you have been charged with simple possession, possession for the purpose of trafficking, drug trafficking, production of a controlled substance, and importing in Mississauga, the consequences are serious. Penalties vary by substance and quantity. Simple possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine, heroin, fentanyl) carries a maximum of 7 years by indictment. Trafficking carries a maximum of life imprisonment for Schedule I substances. Production carries up to life imprisonment. Mandatory minimums apply to trafficking and production near schools or involving youth.
Although Mississauga is Ontario's third-largest city, it does not have its own criminal courthouse. All criminal charges laid in Mississauga by Peel Regional Police are heard at the A. Grenville & William Davis Courthouse in Brampton. This is an important practical detail — your first court appearance, bail hearing, and trial will all take place in Brampton, not Mississauga. Impaired driving charges along the QEW, Highways 403 and 401, and domestic assault are among the most common charges for Mississauga residents.
How We Defend Drug Offences Charges
Every drug offences case is different, but experienced defence lawyers look for weaknesses in the Crown’s case at every stage. Common defence strategies include:
- Unlawful search and seizure — the police had no legal authority to search
- Charter s. 8 violations leading to exclusion of evidence
- Lack of knowledge — the accused did not know the drugs were present
- Lack of possession or control over the substance
- Entrapment by police or undercover officers
- Challenging the continuity of exhibits or forensic analysis
The Court Process in Brampton
Criminal charges laid in Mississauga are heard at the A. Grenville & William Davis Courthouse in Brampton. Your first appearance will typically be scheduled within a few weeks of being charged. At that appearance, your lawyer will receive disclosure (the Crown’s evidence against you) and begin assessing the strength of the case.