Organized Crime Defence Lawyer

Charges related to organized crime can leave you facing serious penalties for multiple criminal offences if convicted. Minimize charges and penalties with a strong defence backed by our leading criminal defence lawyers at Karrass Law. Led by Robert Karrass, our defence lawyers provide strong defences supported by robust arguments, evidence, and strategy to get you the best possible outcome for your situation. To learn more about how lawyers can provide top-level representation, guidance, and legal advice, book a consultation today. 

What is Organized Crime in Ontario?

According to the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), there are thousands of active organized crime groups in Canada. 

In Ontario and throughout Canada, an organized crime group is a group that is composed of at least 3 people either within Canada or outside of the country that primarily facilitate illicit activity and commit indictable criminal offences for financial gain. Active organized crime groups (OCGs) can range from street gangs to high-level international criminal networks. 

Penalties for Organized Crime in Ontario

Organized crime offences are among the most heavily penalized crimes in Ontario. Convictions carry strict and escalating penalties based on the nature and extent of involvement in the organization. To ensure that you navigate this challenging and complex situation strategically, book a consultation for legal advice with our experienced criminal defence lawyers at Karrass Law. 

Here are some of the penalties you can face for being involved in an organized crime group in Canada.

1. Participation in Criminal Organizations
   • This applies if you have knowingly participated and/or contributed to the organized crime group’s activities to facilitate criminal activity. Depending on your level of contribution and the defence of your criminal lawyer, your penalty can be up to 5 years in prison.  
   • Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison
2. Committing an Offence for a Criminal Organization
   • If you’ve been charged with directly committing a criminal offence, such as trafficking or assault, in association with a criminal organization, a conviction can be punishable with up to 14 years in prison.
   • Penalty: Up to 14 years in prison
3. Instructing a Criminal Offence
   • This can apply if you have been charged and convicted of instructing another member of an organized crime group to commit an offence for the organization. This can be punishable with up to life in prison regardless of whether the crime was actually committed by the instructed person. 
   • Penalty: Life in prison
4. Recruiting for a Criminal Organization
   • Recruitment into a criminal organization can be punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The charge comes with a minimum penalty of 6 months in prison if the individual being recruited is under 18 at the time of the offence. 
   • Penalty: Up to 5 years, with a minimum of 6 months if the recruited individual is under 18.
5. Consecutive Sentences
   • Courts in Ontario often impose consecutive sentences for organized crime-related offences, meaning multiple prison terms are served back-to-back instead of at the same time. If someone is convicted of committing a crime in association with a gang or other criminal organization, they could be facing charges for two separate crimes and, as a result, a very lengthy sentence. For example, if a person is convicted of possession of a gun and committing a crime as part of an organization, the sentences could be served consecutively.

Fight Criminal Charges and Organized Crime with a Skilled Defence Lawyer

Regardless of the offences you’re charged with, any associations with organized crime groups in Canada come with serious penalties. For a robust legal defence, book a consultation with our lawyers at Karrass Law. Our team offers virtual and in-person lawyer consultations so you can explore your options with our legal advice.

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