Do Our Criminal Defence Lawyers Offer Payment Plans?

Cory Wilson understands that hiring a defence lawyer is expensive and often unexpected. For this reason, he offers his clients a flexible, no-interest payment plan. Each plan is individually tailored to the client’s needs and budget. The first step in arranging a payment plan is to retain Cory Wilson. The retainer is a down-payment on services and is applied towards the final fee. Once the retainer has been made, you and Cory will discuss a suitable payment plan. Generally, the payment plan is structured so that the entire fee is paid prior to completion of the matter. Often, criminal matters take many months or even years to complete, so there can be great flexibility in payment options. Payment plans can be arranged through automatic bank transfers, cash, VISA, Mastercard and post-dated cheques.

How Do I Choose a Calgary Criminal Defence Lawyer?

When charged with a criminal offence, it is highly important that you speak with a criminal defence lawyer right away. Often your first phone call is the most important because it generally means you are in custody and the police want you to give a statement. Once released, many people think that they do not need a defence lawyer for reasons such as cost, believing the charges are no big deal, or assuming they can simply convince the judge that they are innocent. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system is a complex and difficult path to navigate. Just like you would not perform your own root canal, you should not try to defend yourself from criminal charges that can have a lifelong impact on your liberty, employment and ability to travel. One of the most important considerations in hiring a defence lawyer is their experience representing individuals charged with the same offence as you. Not all criminal defence lawyers are the same and it is important to ask questions about their knowledge and experience, not just in criminal law generally, but with respect to your specific charges. Some defence lawyers only practise in certain areas of criminal law, such as impaired driving, but claim to have significant experience in other areas. While they may have been a lawyer for 20 years, they may not have the specific experience you are looking for and need. When choosing the right defence lawyer, it is imperative that you feel comfortable with the person you are choosing. You have to feel confident placing your life in their hands and knowing that they have your best interests in mind. One of the biggest red flags in retaining a criminal defence lawyer is if he or she gives you a guarantee. If the lawyer guarantees they will get your charges withdrawn or win at trial, ask them to put it in writing and make it contingent on you paying them. If they are unwilling to do so, you know the guarantee means nothing. Unfortunately, with very rare exceptions, there are no guarantees in criminal law. In the end, the right criminal defence lawyer is the one you feel the most comfortable working with and who can solve your problem effectively and efficiently.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Calgary Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Determining the cost of defending a case depends on many different factors including, but not limited to, complexity, the volume of disclosure, type of offence, length of the anticipated trial and whether it proceeds to a preliminary inquiry. Cory Wilson knows that every client is unique and the fee and billing arrangements are structured to reflect that reality. We pride ourselves on being completely transparent so that you can focus on your defence. Our fees are reviewed with you in detail to ensure the highest level of transparency. Our legal fees are quoted as a flat rate fixed fee. This means you know exactly what your total fee is with no surprises. Too often people complain about lawyers' hidden fees or last-minute demands for money. With our transparent fee structure, you can be confident that the price you are quoted is the price you will pay.

What Should I Prepare for My Meeting with My Calgary Defence Lawyer?

You want your first meeting with your defence lawyer to be as productive as possible or you may leave with more questions than answers. One of the most important things you can do is to write out a detailed narrative of everything you can remember of the incident as well as any other related information. With each passing day, your memory will get worse and it could be the little things that make all the difference in your defence. This can be a working document and when you remember more details, they can be added. When writing out the narrative, make sure to make the title "For my lawyer in contemplation of litigation." This will help protect the statement under solicitor-client privilege should it fall into the wrong hands. Another important step prior to meeting with your lawyer is to write out all the questions you have. Meeting with a lawyer can be a stressful time and you may forget everything you planned on asking. Your lawyer will much prefer if you are prepared with a number of questions to discuss in person rather than getting ten emails shortly after your meeting. You need to have all of your questions answered so that you can make fully informed decisions. If you suffered any injuries during the incident, take as many pictures as you can and provide them to your lawyer when you meet. These can be injuries caused by the complainant, witness or even the police. Lastly, you need to bring all of the documents you received from the police when you were arrested. It is important to bring these so that no court dates are missed and you can have all of your release conditions explained to you. If you have any other documents that you believe may be of assistance to your defence, it is important to bring those with you to your meeting.

Grande Prairie Criminal Defence Lawyer

TRUST. EXPERIENCE. SUCCESS.

Representing Individuals in Grand Prairie Charged with Criminal Offences

The most important step you can take if charged with a criminal offence in Grand Prairie is to retain an experienced lawyer who knows how to navigate the local court system. Your future depends on hiring the right lawyer to properly and fully defend you.

Cory Wilson has helped countless individuals in Grand Prairie and the surrounding area just like you.Call Cory today for a free, no-obligation consultation about the criminal charges you face.

0 +

YEARS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE EXPERIENCE

0 +

5-STAR RATINGS
ON GOOGLE

0 +

CASES & CLIENTS
SERVED

24/7

AVAILABILITY
AND SUPPORT

Grande Prairie Criminal Defence Lawyer

TRUST. EXPERIENCE. SUCCESS.

Representing Individuals in Grande Prairie Charged with Criminal Offences

The most important step you can take if charged with a criminal offence in Grande Prairie is to retain an experienced lawyer who knows how to navigate the local court system. Your future depends on hiring the right lawyer to properly and fully defend you.

Cory Wilson has helped countless individuals in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area just like you.Call Cory today for a free, no-obligation consultation about the criminal charges you face.

0 +

YEARS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE EXPERIENCE

0 +

5-STAR RATINGS
ON GOOGLE

0 +

CASES & CLIENTS
SERVED

24/7

AVAILABILITY
AND SUPPORT

Grande Prairie Criminal Lawyer

What Can You Expect From Your Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Cory Wilson has worked extensively within the Grande Prairie court system, representing individuals charged with criminal offences. He will help you navigate the complexities of the system, explain the legal steps, assess the evidence against you and build a strong defence aimed at the best possible outcome for you.

Cases Featured On

Assessing the Evidence Against You

Your best chance of escaping a guilty verdict for a criminal charge is for an experienced lawyer to build a case that questions the evidence against you. In many cases, the evidence is flawed or due process was not followed by police officers. You always have a chance – even if the evidence seems compelling.

A Strong Defence at Trial

If Cory Wilson cannot get your case dismissed before trial, he will work on delivering the most powerful defence possible. The Crown Prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases. Cory Wilson has the experience to exploit any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Negotiating the Best Outcome Possible

Cory Wilson will always fight for your best interests. Even if there is a strong case against you, negotiations with the Crown Prosecutor can lead to having the charges against you withdrawn or reduced. Weaknesses in the case against you allied with your personal circumstances at the time of the alleged crime can be used to improve your sentencing position in court.

Representation for Criminal Offence Charges in Grande Prairie

Amongst the most common criminal offences in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area are impaired driving and theft. However, Cory Wilson is also able to represent you if you have been accused of more serious offences such as violent crimes, sexual assault or even murder. As an experienced trial lawyer, your case is in the best possible hands.

Areas of Expertise

Comprehensive Criminal Defence Built on Experience and Results

Impaired Driving / DUI

Impaired driving / DUI refers to criminal charges of operating a vehicle while impaired from alcohol or drugs, driving over 0.08 and refusing to provide a sample of breath. These charges have serious consequences including significant fines, skyrocketing insurance, jail and a criminal record that can impact future travel and employment.

Learn More

Domestic Assault

Domestic assault is no different than assault generally, except it occurs when the violence is directed at a family member, spouse or romantic partner. When charged with domestic assault, you will most likely be prohibited from returning to your home or having any contact with the complainant.

Learn More

Theft

Theft is defined generally as taking another’s property without lawful authority to do so. Depending on the monetary value of the theft, an accused may be charged with theft under $5,000 or theft over $5,000. The elements of the two offences are the same, but the punishments are drastically different. A theft conviction can result in sentences ranging from discharges to significant periods of incarceration.

Learn More

Fraud

Fraud is a very broad criminal offence that ranges from altering a price tag to multi-million-dollar Ponzi schemes. While the charge is very similar to theft, fraud requires deceit or falsehood. Depending on the monetary value of the fraud, an accused may be charged with fraud under $5,000 or fraud over $5,000. These offences are often incredibly complex and include a high-volume of documents and forensic accounting reports.

Learn More

Sexual Offences

Sexual offences are incredibly complex and encompass many different charges under the Criminal Code, including sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, sexual interference, sexual exploitation and child pornography. Given the intimate and often highly-emotional nature of these offences, you need a highly-skilled and experienced lawyer who understands how to properly defend these charges.

Learn More

Drug Offences

The most common drug offences are possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, production and importation. Drug investigations usually involve undercover police officers, wiretap, confidential informants and search warrants. Offences and sentencing regimes are based on the nature and quantity of the drug found. Possible consequences for drug offences range from diversion programs and discharges to significant periods of incarceration.

Learn More

Assault

Assault is the intentional application of force to another person without their consent and can range from a pinch or shove to a punch or kick. Assault offences include common assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and aggravated assault. The more serious the assault, the greater the possible consequences.

Learn More

Criminal Harassment

Criminal harassment or “stalking”, consists of repeated behavior that has the intention of harassing, frightening, annoying or other actions displaying obsessive and unwanted conduct directed towards another individual without lawful authority. Most often this is in the form of following a person and/or repeatedly calling, texting or emailing them.

Learn More

Firearm Offences

Possessing a firearm in Canada is a heavily regulated activity, with the regulations primarily set out in the Criminal Code and Firearms Act. There are many firearms offences, most of which carry significant punishments if convicted including lengthy periods of incarceration.

Learn More

Violent Offences

These offences include any crime in which a high-degree of violence is involved, including murder, home invasions, serious assaults, robberies and kidnappings. Violent offences are considered the most serious in the Criminal Code and are often investigated by specialized police units. The consequences of being found guilty of a violent offence are often lengthy periods of incarceration.

Learn More

Experienced Lawyer

With over 10 years of experience, you can feel confident that you will receive the best possible legal advice.

Client-Centered Approach

We put our clients first and find solutions that best meet your individual needs and budget.

Sophisticated Advice

We will provide you with detailed advice so that you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.

Superior Results

Regardless of your criminal charge, we will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome.

Criminal Defence Frequently Asked Questions

Facing a criminal charge in Alberta raises questions about cost, timing, and how to choose the right defence. Cory Wilson answers the questions clients ask most before and during a case.

Does Our Alberta Defence Lawyer Offer Payment Plans?

Yes. Cory Wilson offers clients a flexible, no-interest payment plan tailored to their individual needs and budget. A retainer secures representation and is applied as a down payment toward the final fee, and the remaining balance is scheduled to be paid off before the matter concludes.

Hiring a defence lawyer is expensive and often unexpected. That’s why payment plans are built around what each client can manage, not a one-size-fits-all schedule. The first step is retaining Cory Wilson: the retainer acts as a down payment on services and counts toward the total fee. From there, you and Cory work out a payment structure together. Because criminal matters can take many months or even years to resolve, there’s usually significant flexibility in how payments are spread out, with the goal of having the full fee paid before the case is complete.

Accepted payment methods include:

Automatic bank transfers
Cash
VISA
Mastercard
Post-dated cheques

LEARN MORE

How Do I Choose an Alberta Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Choosing the right criminal defence lawyer in Alberta comes down to four things: acting quickly, verifying relevant experience, trusting your comfort level, and being wary of guarantees.

1. Speak with a lawyer right away. If you’re charged with a criminal offence, your first phone call matters most, often because it means you’re in custody and police want a statement. Some people delay hiring a lawyer after release, assuming the charges aren’t serious, the cost isn’t worth it, or they can convince a judge of their innocence on their own. The criminal justice system is complex, and defending yourself against charges that can affect your liberty, employment, and ability to travel is rarely a safe bet.

2. Ask about experience with your specific charge. Not all criminal defence lawyers have the same background. Some focus heavily on a narrow area, such as impaired driving, while claiming broad experience elsewhere. A lawyer may have practised for 20 years without having handled cases like yours. Ask directly about their track record with your specific type of charge, not just their years in criminal law generally.

3. Trust your comfort level. You need to feel confident placing your case, and your future, in this person’s hands, and confident that they have your best interests in mind.

4. Be cautious of guarantees. A lawyer who guarantees a withdrawal of charges or a win at trial is a red flag. Ask them to put that guarantee in writing, contingent on payment. If they won’t, the guarantee is meaningless. With rare exceptions, no one can guarantee an outcome in criminal law.

In the end, the right lawyer is the one you trust most and who can resolve your matter effectively and efficiently.

READ MORE

What Does It Cost to Hire an Alberta Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Legal fees for a criminal defence case in Alberta are quoted as a flat, fixed rate, so clients know the total cost upfront with no hidden charges. The exact cost depends on the case.

Cost is affected by:

Complexity of the case
Volume of disclosure
Type of offence
Anticipated length of trial
Whether the matter proceeds to a preliminary inquiry

Cory Wilson reviews fees with clients in detail so there are no surprises later, a common complaint with lawyers who charge hidden fees or make last-minute demands for money. With a transparent, flat-rate fee structure, the price quoted is the price paid.

Accepted payment methods include: cash, VISA, MasterCard, debit, and e-Transfer.

READ MORE

What Should I Prepare for My Meeting with My Alberta Defence Lawyer?

Bring a written narrative of the incident, a list of questions, photos of any injuries, and all documents received from police. Preparing these in advance makes the first meeting far more productive.

1. Write a detailed narrative. Record everything you remember about the incident and any related information as soon as possible. Memory fades daily, and small details can matter to your defence. Treat it as a living document you can add to over time. Title it “For my lawyer in contemplation of litigation” to help protect it under solicitor-client privilege if it’s ever seen by the wrong person.

2. Write down your questions. Meetings with a lawyer are stressful, and it’s easy to forget what you meant to ask. Bringing a prepared list means your questions get answered in person, rather than through a string of follow-up emails.

3. Photograph any injuries. If you were injured during the incident, whether by the complainant, a witness, or police, take photos as soon as possible and bring them to your meeting.

4. Bring all documents from police. Include everything you received at the time of arrest so no court dates are missed and your release conditions can be explained clearly. Bring any other documents that may help your defence as well.

READ MORE

Successful Cases

Proven Defence. Trusted by Clients Across Alberta.

Theft Offences

S.M. was alleged to be part of an organized shoplifting group that would steal thousands of dollars of merchandise in a very brief period of time. It was alleged that S.M.’s role was to distract the employees while the rest of the group would quickly steal as much as they could.

After reviewing disclosure, Cory found that other than S.M. being in the same store as the shoplifting group, there was no evidence tying her to the group. The Crown Prosecutor offered to resolve the matter by way of Alternative Measures. Cory pushed back and said the Crown had no likelihood of conviction and therefore the diversion program was inappropriate. The prosecutor agreed and withdrew all of the theft under $5,000 charges. This was the best outcome as it left the client with no criminal record.

Charges Withdrawn

Sexual Offences

S.T. was accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met at a bar. It was alleged that after a night of drinking and dancing at a downtown bar, the complainant invited S.T. back to her apartment to hang out. While at the apartment, the two continued to drink, had sexual intercourse and fell asleep. The next morning, S.T. left the house after exchanging phone numbers with the complainant. Over the next week, the complainant made numerous attempts to contact S.T. who did not respond. Three weeks after the two spent the night together, the complainant told police that the sexual intercourse was not consensual. S.T. maintained the act was consensual and pled not guilty.

At trial, Cory cross-examined the complainant on her previous inconsistent statement and her many texts and phone calls to S.T. At the end of Cory’s cross-examination, the Crown withdrew the charge which was the best outcome at trial.

Charges Withdrawn

Assault Offence

T.T. was charged with assaulting her child with a weapon and uttering threats. It was alleged that when the child refused to obey T.T.’s direction, she repeatedly hit him with a wooden spoon. It was further alleged that T.T. chased him out of the house with a knife. T.T. was arrested and Cory secured her release on bail.

Cory investigated the allegations and made inquiries of a neighbour who witnessed the events that occurred outside of the house. Based on the neighbour’s version of events, T.T. did not have a knife and no threats were heard. As a result of Cory’s investigation, the Crown withdrew the charges and T.T. entered into a Peace Bond. This favourable resolution left T.T. with no criminal record for the incident which was the best possible outcome.

Charges Withdrawn

DUI Offence

Police observed E.A.’s vehicle repeatedly cross the center line and swerve within his own lane. After pulling E.A. over, police observed slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, smell of alcohol, slow movements and E.A. admitted to consuming alcohol. He was arrested and subsequently blew over the legal limit.

After reviewing the notes of both police officers, Cory found significant inconsistencies in relation to the indicia of impairment observed. Cory filed a Charter Notice alleging E.A.’s right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure was violated. On the morning of trial, the Crown withdrew the charges. As a result, E.A. was left with no criminal record for this incident. This was the best possible outcome for the client.

Charges Withdrawn

GLOWING CLIENT REVIEWS

My experience with Cory Wilson was terrific despite it being under not great circumstances. He was professional, dedicated, compassionate and talked to me in a way that I could understand. It was very clear from our first meeting that Mr. Wilson knew the law and was confident that he could help me. Very quickly after I retained Mr. Wilson, he was able to identify issues with the case against me. As a result of these issues, Mr. Wilson was able to have the charge reduced and secured a conditional discharge.

— T.C.

Mr. Wilson did a terrific job on my DUI case. I blew over the legal limit and was charged and lost my license. I went to trial and Mr. Wilson cross-examined the police officer who arrested me. After he did that, the prosecutor asked the judge to dismiss the charges and I was found not guilty all because of how good Mr. Wilson was.

— G.S.

I have used a different lawyer on a past criminal charge and he was nothing like Cory was. The last lawyer just let my matter drag on and on but Cory actually showed up when he said he would and helped me resolve it within only a couple of weeks. Cory Wilson conducted himself very well in court and the judge agreed with our position instead of the prosecutors.

— A.J.

I was charged with domestic assault after my wife and I were drinking and we got into a fight. Both of us hit each other but the police only charged me, the man. I was told I couldn’t go home and had no way to speak to my kids. Cory was able to quickly get all of my bail conditions removed and then had the charge withdrawn and I got a Peace Bond. I highly recommend Cory Wilson to anybody who needs a criminal lawyer.

— J.T.

GET STARTED NOW

Request A Free Consultation

During your free consultation, we will discuss the allegations, possible outcomes, defences to the charges and legal fees. We will also create a clear path moving forward so you completely understand what to expect.