Criminal Defence in Toronto
RH Criminal Defence is based in Toronto at 130 Spadina Avenue, Suite 606 — minutes from Old City Hall and the Toronto Region courthouse. Ryan Handlarski defends individuals charged with criminal offences across every category: murder, sexual assault, impaired driving, domestic assault, drug trafficking, weapons offences, fraud, robbery, and more. He has secured acquittals after trial at both Old City Hall and 361 University Avenue in cases ranging from first-degree murder to cocaine trafficking to firearms possession. Toronto is where the firm's practice is concentrated, and familiarity with the local Crown Attorney's offices, court scheduling, and judicial preferences is a meaningful advantage in every case.
Toronto criminal cases are heard at two main courthouses, and which one handles your case depends on the charge and the court level. The Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall, 60 Queen Street West, handles the majority of criminal matters — first appearances, bail hearings, guilty pleas, and trials for less serious indictable and summary conviction offences. The Superior Court of Justice, Toronto Region, at 361 University Avenue, handles the most serious indictable offences — murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, large-scale drug trafficking — as well as jury trials and cases where the accused elects trial in the Superior Court. Your release documents will specify which courthouse you must attend.
The Toronto Crown Attorney's office is one of the largest in Ontario. Crown attorneys are assigned to specific courtrooms and rotate between assignments. For serious matters, specialized Crown units handle the prosecution — including the guns and gangs unit, the domestic violence unit, and the sexual offences unit. An experienced defence lawyer who regularly appears in Toronto knows which Crowns handle which types of cases and how to negotiate effectively within this structure.
Toronto Police Service is the largest municipal police force in Canada, with divisions across the city. Charges laid by Toronto Police are prosecuted by the Toronto Crown Attorney's office and heard at Old City Hall or 361 University Avenue. The volume of cases processed through the Toronto courts is enormous, which creates both delays and opportunities. High caseloads mean Crown attorneys must triage files, and skilled defence counsel can use this to negotiate favourable outcomes — charge withdrawals, peace bonds, and diversion — particularly for first-time offenders and less serious charges.
Bail in Toronto operates differently from smaller jurisdictions. For charges where the accused is held overnight, bail hearings take place at Old City Hall or via video from the Toronto South Detention Centre. Bail conditions in Toronto are often strict, particularly for domestic assault, sexual assault, and firearms cases. A no-contact order with the complainant, a weapons prohibition, house arrest with a surety, and geographic restrictions are common. Having a lawyer present at the bail hearing can make the difference between release and remaining in custody.
For individuals who are not Canadian citizens, a criminal charge in Toronto carries additional risk. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a conviction for an offence punishable by a maximum of 10 years or more — which includes sexual assault, drug trafficking, and many other common charges — results in inadmissibility to Canada with no right of appeal. Even charges that do not result in conviction can affect pending immigration applications, work permits, and citizenship proceedings. RH Criminal Defence considers immigration consequences as part of every case strategy for non-citizen clients.
Whether you are facing charges for impaired driving, domestic assault, sexual assault, drug offences, weapons offences, fraud, theft, or any other criminal matter, having an experienced defence lawyer who understands the local court system is essential. The difference between a conviction and having charges withdrawn or being acquitted at trial often comes down to the quality of the defence.
The Old City Hall
Criminal cases in Toronto are heard at the Old City Hall, located at 60 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M3. This courthouse handles both Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice criminal matters for City of Toronto.
The courthouse phone number is 416-327-5650. All court appearances — from your first appearance to trial — take place at this location. Your release documents will specify your next court date and courtroom number.
There is no dedicated courthouse parking at Old City Hall or 361 University Avenue. The closest options are the municipal Green P lots at Nathan Phillips Square and on Armoury Street, as well as private lots along University Avenue and Queen Street. Rates are high during business hours. If driving, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your court time, as security screening lines at Old City Hall can be lengthy, particularly on Monday mornings when the docket is heaviest.
Old City Hall is directly accessible via the TTC at Osgoode and Queen stations on Line 1, and the Queen streetcar (Line 501). The Toronto Region courthouse at 361 University Avenue is a short walk north from Osgoode station. Both courthouses are also served by the GO Transit network through Union Station, which is a 10-minute walk south. If coming from outside Toronto, the GO train from Hamilton, Barrie, Oshawa, or Kitchener connects directly to Union Station.
Common Criminal Charges in Toronto
Toronto Police Service lays charges that are heard at the Old City Hall. The most common criminal charges for Toronto residents include:
- Impaired driving (DUI) — charges under sections 320.14 and 320.15 of the Criminal Code, including driving while impaired, having a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg, and refusing to provide a breath sample. A first-offence conviction carries a mandatory minimum $1,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition.
- Domestic assault — assault charges under section 266 arising from a domestic relationship. These cases carry immediate consequences including no-contact orders and removal from the home, often before any finding of guilt.
- Sexual assault — charges under section 271, including historic allegations. Sexual assault convictions carry mandatory Sex Offender Registry requirements and can result in significant periods of incarceration.
- Drug offences — possession, trafficking, and production charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Penalties range from discharges for simple possession to mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking.
- Weapons offences — possession of prohibited or restricted firearms, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault with a weapon. Firearms offences carry mandatory minimum sentences.
- Fraud and theft — fraud over $5,000 carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. Convictions for dishonesty offences can end careers in regulated professions.
What to Expect After Being Charged
If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offence in Toronto, the process typically follows these steps:
- Arrest and release or bail hearing. You may be released at the scene with a promise to appear, or held for a bail hearing at the Old City Hall. For domestic assault and other serious charges, you will almost certainly be held for a bail hearing.
- First appearance. Your first court date is set on your release documents. At this appearance, your lawyer will receive the Crown’s disclosure — the evidence the Crown intends to rely on.
- Disclosure review and case assessment. Your lawyer reviews the disclosure and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the Crown’s case. This is when defence strategy is developed.
- Crown pre-trial or resolution discussions. Your lawyer meets with the Crown to discuss the case. Many charges are resolved at this stage through withdrawals, peace bonds, diversion, or agreed-upon sentences.
- Trial. If the case cannot be resolved, it proceeds to trial. Criminal trials in the Ontario Court of Justice are heard by a judge alone. For more serious indictable offences in the Superior Court, the accused may elect a trial by judge and jury.
Why Choose RH Criminal Defence
Ryan Handlarski has defended individuals charged with criminal offences across Ontario, from less serious charges such as domestic assault and impaired driving to very serious offences such as murder, trafficking cocaine, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and robbery. He regularly appears at the Old City Hall and is familiar with the local Crown Attorney's office and court procedures.
Ryan has appeared at every level of court in Ontario — the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, and the Ontario Court of Appeal. He is a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Toronto Lawyers’ Association. He is on the Legal Aid Ontario panel for extremely serious matters and accepts Legal Aid in qualifying cases.
Ryan has a proven track record at the Old City Hall, including acquittals after trial in serious criminal matters. See the representative results below.