Criminal Defence Essentials

🇨🇦 The Beacon is now available in French! 🇫🇷

We're excited to announce that The Beacon, Criminal Defence Essentials' bi-weekly roundup of the latest criminal law decisions from across Canada, is now available en français.

French-speaking criminal defence lawyers can now access expert takes on the latest, most important criminal law decisions, with concise, practical summaries that help you stay current and save valuable research time.

Whether you're practising in Quebec or simply prefer to read legal updates in French, The Beacon is now more accessible than ever.

Lisez. Restez à jour. Défendez avec confiance.

30 Day Free Trial available!
👉 https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/

Amazing news! Thanks to an incredibly generous donation, we’ve reached $9,375 toward our $15,000 goal to help Kelvin move forward — and every contribution is truly making a difference.
Thank you to all our donors. Your support is helping turn a second chance into a lasting future.
If you believe in rehabilitation and the power of change, please read about Kelvin’s journey and consider contributing.
https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/support-fundraiser/

📚 Summer Book Sale – Save 30% on the printed edition of Canadian Animal Law!

Whether you're a practising lawyer, judge, academic, student, or simply interested in animal protection law, Professor Sankoff's Guide to Canadian Animal Protection Law is an essential addition to your library.

This comprehensive guide examines Canada's Criminal Code animal cruelty provisions, federal transport and slaughter regulations, key court decisions, and the challenges that continue to shape this evolving area of law.

Written in Professor Sankoff's practical and engaging style, it's a trusted reference you'll return to again and again.

☀️ For a limited time, take advantage of our 30% Summer Book Sale and add this leading resource to your collection. (reg.$60)
https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/guide-to-canadian-animal-protection-law/

No criminal defence lawyer has all the answers—and the best advocates know when to seek another perspective.
Complex legal issues, novel arguments, and difficult appeals are part of the job. Having an experienced colleague to bounce ideas off or help work through a challenging issue can save hours of research, uncover new strategies, and ultimately benefit your client.
At Sankoff Criminal Law, we regularly work behind the scenes with defence counsel across Canada, providing practical advice and strategic support on complex files. Whether you need a fresh perspective on a difficult case or assistance with a specific legal issue, we're here to help.
Because sometimes the strongest advocacy starts with asking the right questions.
👉 https://sankoffcriminallaw.com/services-for-lawyers/

🎓 Did you know?
At Criminal Defence Essentials, we're committed to supporting the next generation of criminal defence lawyers.

That's why articling students receive:
✅ A FREE 30-day trial
✅ 15% off their first three months after the trial

Gain access to 1,000+ practical resources on criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and sentencing—including CPD seminars, Case Alerts, The Beacon, Bite-Sized Advocacy, Mini Guides, and more.

Start building your practice with practical tools designed by criminal defence lawyers, for criminal defence lawyers.
https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/monthly-subscription/

UPDATE: CDE and Sankoff Criminal Law are incredibly grateful to share that we've now raised $4,325 toward our $15,000 goal to help Kelvin move forward.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Your generosity is helping create real opportunities for someone determined to rebuild his life.

We're making great progress, but we still have a long way to go. If you've been thinking about donating, now is the perfect time. Every contribution—large or small—moves us closer to our goal and makes a meaningful difference.

If you believe in second chances, rehabilitation, and the power of positive change, please consider supporting Kelvin's journey today.

Read more about Kelvin's story & donate here
👉 https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/support-fundraiser/

We're thrilled to welcome Laura Metcalfe of Metcalfe Law(Toronto, ON) to Criminal Defence Essentials' team of expert contributors!

Laura is an accomplished criminal defence lawyer with extensive experience representing clients across Ontario. In addition to her criminal law practice, Laura has significant experience handling complex regulatory and administrative litigation, giving her a broad perspective on advocacy and legal problem-solving.

We're equally excited to announce that The Beacon – Issue #108 is now available—and it's our biggest issue yet!

Featuring 14 case summaries along with practical expert analysis from our growing team of contributors, this issue is designed to help criminal defence lawyers stay current while saving hours of valuable research time.

Get your free 30-Day Trial today!

👉 https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/

Our Summer Book Sale is still going strong! Get a whopping 30% discount on our essential Professor Sankoff's Guide to Persuasive Legal Writing (reg. $55)! No coupon code necessary!

👉 https://criminaldefenceessentials.com/guide-to-legal-writing/