no fees on first visit
Recent Successes
R v. A.P. - Richmond Provincial Court
May 22, 2010
Charge: Theft from Employer
Issue: Whether it was possible to avoid a jail sentence and a criminal record.
Result: Crown Counsel requested a jail sentence of 6 months. Mr. Buchanan was able to convince the judge to grant his client a conditional discharge with probation for twelve months.
No jail time. No criminal record.
R v. J.S. - Dowtown Community Court (Vancouver)
September 15, 2010
Charge: Spousal Assault, Assaulting a Peace Officer
Issue: Whether it was in the public insterest for Mr. Buchanan`s client to have a criminal record.
Result: After hearing Mr. Buchanan`s submissions, the Judge granted J.S. an absolute discharge on both charges.
No criminal record.
R v. A.F. - Downtown Community Court (Vancouver)
September 22, 2010
Charge: Obstructing a Police Officer
Issue: Whether it was in the public insterest for Mr. Buchanan`s client to have a criminal record.
Result: After hearing Mr. Buchanan`s submissions the Judge granted A.F. an absolute discharge.
No criminal record.
R v. A.K. - North Vancouver Provincial Court
September 8, 2010
Charge: Impaired Driving; Over .08
Issue: Whether Mr. Buchanan`s client would be able to keep his drivers licence and whether or not he would receive a criminal record.
Result: Mr. Buchanan was able to convince Crown Counsel to accept a guilty plea under Section 144 of the Motor Vehicle Act, (Careless Driving). After hearing Mr. Buchanan`s submissions the Judge suspended.
A.K.`s drivers license for three months (instead of twelve months) and, because the case proceeded under the Motor Vehicle Act, a stay of proceedings was entered on the criminal charges. No criminal record.
R v. P.O. - North Vancouver Provincial Court
October 12, 2010
Charge: Impaired Driving; Over .08
Issue: Whether Mr. Buchanan`s client could avoid a criminal record and whether his client could receive a reduced driver`s license suspension.
Result: Mr. Buchanan was able to convince Crown Counsel to accept a guilty plea to Section 144 of the Motor Vehicle Act, (Careless Driving). After hearing Mr. Buchanan`s submissions, the Judge suspended the client`s driver`s license for six months (instead of the mandatory twelve months prohibition under the Criminal Code).
A stay of proceedings was entered on the criminal charges. No criminal record.
R v. S.L. - Vancouver Provincial Court
October 15, 2010
Charge: Shoplifting
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with a criminal charge against Mr. Buchanan`s client.
Result: Mr. Buchanan was able to convince Crown Counsel to resolve this case by way of diversion which was successfully completed by the client. No court appearances were necessary.
No criminal record.
R v G.M. - Surrey Provincial Court
September 10, 2010
Charge: Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm x 2; Leaving the Scene of an Accident knowing that Bodily Harm had been Caused
Issue: Whether Mr. Buchanan`s client should receive a jail sentence and how long should the client be prohibited from driving.
Result: Mr. Buchanan`s client plead guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an accident knowing that bodily harm had been caused. After hearing Mr. Buchanan`s submissions the Judge agreed that a Conditional Sentence Order was appropriate.
No `real` jail was imposed. The Judge prohibited Mr. Buchanan`s client from driving for twelve months (the mandatory minimum prohibition).