Drug Offences Charges in Vaughan
If you have been charged with simple possession, possession for the purpose of trafficking, drug trafficking, production of a controlled substance, and importing in Vaughan, 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.
Criminal charges arising in Vaughan — including Woodbridge, Maple, and Kleinburg — are heard at the Newmarket courthouse, which serves all of York Region. York Regional Police patrols Vaughan and surrounding areas. Common charges include domestic assault, fraud, impaired driving, and drug offences. All court appearances, from first appearance to trial, take place at the Newmarket courthouse, not in Vaughan.
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 Newmarket
Criminal charges laid in Vaughan are heard at the Newmarket Courthouse in Newmarket. 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.