Vancouver Criminal Lawyer
Stern Shapray Criminal Lawyers has been defending clients facing criminal charges in Vancouver and across British Columbia since 1997. Our lawyers regularly appear at the Vancouver Provincial Court, the Downtown Community Court, BC Supreme Court at 800 Smithe Street and the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE IN VANCOUVER
Defending Criminal Charges Across Vancouver, BC
Facing criminal charges in Vancouver can be overwhelming. Whether the allegations arise from an incident in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), Gastown, Kitsilano, Granville Mall, Commercial Drive, or any part of the city, the consequences of a conviction can affect your freedom, your career, and your family. At Stern Shapray Criminal Lawyers, we have been representing individuals charged with criminal offences in Vancouver for close to three decades.
Vancouver has one of the most complex criminal court systems in British Columbia, with matters split across several locations.
Vancouver Provincial Court at 222 Main Street is the primary courthouse for criminal cases, operating high-volume remand courts daily.
The Downtown Community Court at 211 Gore Avenue handles offences in the downtown core with an integrated approach to social services. For the most serious charges, including murder, manslaughter, and large-scale trafficking, matters proceed to the BC Supreme Court at 800 Smithe Street. Youth criminal matters are heard at a separate location, the Vancouver Provincial Court at Robson Square, 800 Hornby Street, where proceedings under the Youth Criminal Justice Act are conducted with procedures designed to prioritize rehabilitation.
Our lawyers understand how each of these courts operates. We know which Crown counsel handle files at 222 Main Street, how the Downtown Community Court approaches resolution, the procedural expectations at the Law Courts for jury trials and preliminary inquiries, and how the Robson Square court conducts youth criminal proceedings under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This familiarity allows us to build defence strategies that are tailored to the specific court where your case will be heard.
Criminal charges in Vancouver are typically laid by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) or, in some cases, the RCMP in surrounding areas such as Burnaby. After arrest, you may be released with conditions or held for a bail hearing at 222 Main Street. Our team is available to attend bail hearings on short notice and can provide immediate legal advice if you or a family member has been arrested. Contact us at 604.590.5600 any time.
VANCOUVER COURTHOUSE INFORMATION
Vancouver Provincial Court (Criminal)
| Address | 222 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 2S8 |
| Telephone | (604) 660-4239 |
| Fax | (604) 775-1134 |
| Registry Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Region | Vancouver Coastal |
| Note | Criminal cases only. Search gate at entry; everyone is subject to search. |
Downtown Community Court
| Address | 211 Gore Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 2S8 |
| Telephone | (604) 660-4239 |
| Registry Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Note | Specialized court for downtown core offences. Integrated health and social services approach. |
Robson Square Provincial Court
| Address | 800 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C5 |
| Telephone | (604) 660-8989 |
| Fax | (604) 660-8950 |
| Registry Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Note | Youth criminal matters, family and small claims matters are heard here. |
Vancouver Law Courts (BC Supreme Court & Court of Appeal)
| Address | 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E1 |
| Administration | (604) 660-2847 |
| Criminal Registry | (604) 660-2874 |
| Fax | (604) 660-2420 |
| Registry Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Note | Handles serious indictable offences, jury trials, preliminary inquiries, and appeals. |
CHARGES WE DEFEND IN VANCOUVER
Areas of Practice
From drug trafficking investigations in East Vancouver to domestic assault charges arising from disputes in residential neighbourhoods, our team has defended the full spectrum of criminal allegations before Vancouver’s courts. Explore our practice areas below.
Drug Crimes & Organized Crime
Drug Possession, Drug Trafficking, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Production, Importing
Domestic Assault
Domestic Assault, Spousal Violence, Breach of No-Contact Orders, Peace Bonds, Criminal Harassment
General Assault & Threats
Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Aggravated Assault, Uttering Threats, Forcible Confinement
Sexual Offences
Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Sexual Exploitation, Voyeurism, Intimate Image Distribution
Impaired & Criminal Driving
Impaired Driving (DUI), Driving Over 80mg, Refusing a Breath Sample, Dangerous Driving, Failing to Remain
Weapons & Firearms
Weapons & Firearms Unauthorized Firearm Possession, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Weapons Trafficking, Prohibited Weapons
Financial & White Collar
Financial & White Collar Fraud, Theft Over/Under $5,000, Money Laundering, Identity Fraud, Forgery
Internet Crimes
Internet Crimes Online Fraud, Child Exploitation Material, Cyberbullying & Harassment, Luring
Border Offences
Border Offences Customs Act Violations, Smuggling, False Declarations, Immigration-Related Charges
Youth Criminal Justice
Youth Criminal Justice Youth Criminal Defence, Extrajudicial Measures, Youth Sentencing, Adult Sentences for Youth
Motor Vehicle Act (Tickets)
Motor Vehicle Act (Tickets) Excessive Speeding, Driving While Prohibited, Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, Traffic Ticket Defence
Appeals & Other Matters
Appeals & Other Matters Criminal Appeals, Judicial Reviews, Record Suspensions, Security Clearance Applications
WHY CHOOSE STERN SHAPRAY FOR YOUR VANCOUVER CASE
What Sets Us Apart
We Know Vancouver’s Courts
We regularly appear at 222 Main Street, the Downtown Community Court, the Law Courts at 800 Smithe Street, and the Vancouver Provincial Court at Robson Square at 800 Hornby Street for youth matters. We understand how each court operates, who the Crown counsel are and what judges expect.
Close to 30 Years of Experience
Since 1997, Stern Shapray has built a reputation for results in British Columbia’s criminal courts. Our track record in Vancouver speaks for itself.
A Team, Not a Solo Practice
A Team, Not a Solo Practice When you hire Stern Shapray, you get a multi-lawyer team working on your case. We collaborate internally so that every legal argument and strategy is pressure-tested before it reaches the courtroom.
Punjabi-Speaking Lawyers
Vancouver is home to one of the largest South Asian communities in Canada. We have Punjabi-speaking counsel on our team to ensure you can communicate clearly about your case in your preferred language.
Responsive When It Counts
Responsive When It Counts Criminal charges don’t wait for business hours. Our team is available for urgent bail hearings, police station calls, and time-sensitive legal matters throughout Greater Vancouver.
Free Initial Consultation
Free Initial Consultation We offer a no-obligation consultation to assess your case and explain your options before you commit to any fees. Call 604.590.5600 to get started.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Vancouver Criminal Law FAQs
Q: Where do criminal cases get heard in Vancouver?
Most criminal cases in Vancouver are heard at Vancouver Provincial Court, 222 Main Street. This courthouse handles remand appearances, bail hearings, trials, and sentencing for criminal matters. Offences committed in the downtown core may be directed to the Downtown Community Court at 211 Gore Avenue. Serious indictable offences, jury trials, and appeals are heard at the BC Supreme Court, 800 Smithe Street. Youth criminal matters, charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act against persons under 18, are heard at the Vancouver Provincial Court at Robson Square, 800 Hornby Street, where proceedings are governed by separate rules designed to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.
Q: I was arrested by the VPD. What should I do?
Exercise your right to remain silent and ask to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions. The Vancouver Police Department must inform you of your right to counsel upon arrest. Call 604.590.5600 immediately, and we can provide advice over the phone and attend your bail hearing at 222 Main Street if you are held in custody.
Q: What is the Downtown Community Court?
The Downtown Community Court (DCC) at 211 Gore Avenue is a specialized Provincial Court that handles offences committed in Vancouver’s downtown core, particularly the Downtown Eastside. Unlike a standard criminal court, the DCC integrates health, housing, and social services into the court process. It deals with charges such as theft, drug possession, mischief, and breach of conditions. If your charges are being heard at the DCC, having a lawyer who understands this court’s unique approach is important.
Q: Can you attend my bail hearing at 222 Main Street?
Yes. Our lawyers regularly attend bail hearings at Vancouver Provincial Court. If you or a family member has been arrested and is being held for a bail hearing, contact us as soon as possible. Bail hearings typically occur within 24 hours of arrest, and having experienced counsel present can make the difference between detention and release.
Q: What is the difference between 222 Main Street and 800 Smithe Street?
Vancouver Provincial Court at 222 Main Street handles the majority of criminal cases, summary conviction offences, many indictable offences, bail hearings, and remand. The BC Supreme Court at 800 Smithe Street handles the most serious charges: murder, manslaughter, large-scale drug trafficking, sexual offences where the accused elects a jury trial, and criminal appeals. Our lawyers appear at both locations.
Q: What are the most common criminal charges in Vancouver?
Vancouver’s courts see a high volume of domestic assault, impaired driving, drug offences, theft under and over $5,000, weapons charges, mischief, and breaches of court-imposed conditions. The Downtown Community Court also handles a significant number of property and drug-related offences in the downtown core. Where the accused is under 18, these same types of charges, assault, theft, and drug possession, are prosecuted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and heard at the Vancouver Provincial Court at Robson Square, 800 Hornby Street.
Q: How long will my case take at Vancouver Provincial Court?
Vancouver’s courts are among the busiest in British Columbia, and timelines vary. Straightforward guilty pleas or diversions may resolve in weeks. Contested matters requiring disclosure review, pre-trial motions, and a trial can take 8 to 18 months or longer, depending on court availability and the complexity of the evidence. We will give you a realistic timeline assessment at your first consultation.
Q: Can I avoid a criminal record if I’m charged in Vancouver?
A charge alone does not create a criminal record, only a conviction does. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to have charges withdrawn, obtain a stay of proceedings, secure an acquittal at trial, receive an absolute or conditional discharge, or resolve the matter through a peace bond. For youths charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the rules are different: youth records are subject to strict access restrictions and are automatically sealed after a set period, meaning a youth conviction does not follow a young person into adulthood in the same way an adult record does. The outcome depends on the strength of the evidence, your personal circumstances, and the skill of your defence.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) in Vancouver?
An IRP is issued under the Motor Vehicle Act and is not a criminal charge, but the consequences can be severe, including licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and participation in the Responsible Driver Program. You can dispute an IRP through an adjudicative review. A lawyer experienced in IRP matters can assess the officer’s grounds, identify procedural errors, and present your case effectively.
Q: Does Stern Shapray handle youth charges in Vancouver?
Yes. We represent young persons (under 18) charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Youth criminal matters in Vancouver are heard at the Provincial Court at Robson Square with procedures designed to prioritize rehabilitation. The stakes are high – youth records, while subject to restrictions, can still impact education and employment. We work to protect young clients’ rights and futures.
Q: I live outside Vancouver but my charges are here. Can you help?
Yes. We regularly represent clients who live in other parts of Metro Vancouver or elsewhere in B.C. but whose charges are before a Vancouver court. Whether you are in Burnaby, Richmond, the North Shore, or further afield, we can handle your appearances at 222 Main Street, the DCC, or the Law Courts at 800 Smithe Street.
Q: How much does a criminal lawyer cost for a Vancouver case?
Fees depend on the type and severity of the charge, the volume of disclosure, and whether the matter proceeds to trial. We offer a free initial consultation where we assess your case and provide a transparent fee estimate before you make any commitment.
Facing Criminal Charges in Vancouver?
Get experienced defence counsel who knows Vancouver’s courts. We are ready to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.