Areas of Legal Practice
Experienced In All Levels of the Canadian Legal System
Areas of Legal Pracrice
Nothing is more stressful than being charged with a criminal offence. It can happen to anyone.
If you are facing criminal charges, you need expert guidance and advice to help you navigate the intricacies of the legal system.
With over twenty years of experience, James Zegers has successfully defended clients in London and Southwestern Ontario for offences ranges from shoplifting to assault and murder.
As your lawyer, James Zegers fights for the best possible outcome – so that you can get back to living your life.
Bail Hearings
The bail hearing is a crucial stage that can set the tone for the rest of your proceedings. The sooner you are released, the better your chances become for a successful resolution.Agency Matters
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, James Zegers can ensure that you do not have to attend court until absolutely necessary. As a result you save time and money, and avoid the embarrassment of appearing in court on criminal charges.Appeals
Sometimes the court makes a mistake: they convict someone they shouldn’t have or impose a sentence that is too harsh. When that happens you have the right to appeal the judge’s decision. James Zegers represents appellants in the Superior Court of Justice and at the Ontario Court of Appeal.Negotiation and resolution
Negotiation and resolution are key parts of James Zegers approach to criminal law. Depending on the case, skillful negotiation can result in the withdrawal of charges, the reduction of charges, or the avoidance of jail. By resolving matters without going to trial, James Zegers helps his client save money by way of cost-effective resolution of criminal charges.Trials
Sometimes charges can’t be resolved and have to go to trial. When that happens you want a lawyer with a proven track record in the court room. James Zegers has twenty years experience as a trial lawyer at all levels of court, including the Provincial Offences Court, the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Superior Court of Justice.Indigenous Persons
For too long Indigenous Persons offenders have been over-represented in the Canadian prison system. That is changing with the institution of a special court in London to deal with the issues that affect indigenous people in Canada.
Section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code directs the Courts to consider all available sanctions other than imprisonment that are reasonable in the circumstances for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of indigenous offenders. In R. v. Gladue 133 C.C.C. (3d) 385, the Supreme Court of Canada held that this section of the Criminal Code directed the Courts to sentence indigenous offenders differently, because the circumstances of indigenous people are unique. The judge must consider the unique systemic or background factors that may have played a part in bringing the offender before the court and the types of sentencing procedures that may be appropriate in the circumstances because of the offender’s heritage or connection to his culture.
James Zegers has represented indigenous clients for over twenty years and is familiar to the cultural and systemic factors addressed by the Supreme Court of Canada.