L’Orignal criminal defence lawyer Céline Dostaler will give you frank legal advice on your case.

"Thank you for all your hard work and patience. We appreciate everything you've done for our family. We would highly recommend your services."

- DH

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613.863.8595 celine@celinedostaler.ca Email

Free Initial Consultation

613.863.8595 celine@celinedostaler.ca Email

Proactive Defence. Clear Communication. No Hidden Fees.

Céline Dostaler will be your first and only point of contact - in French or English

Recognized as one of L’Orignal's top-reviewed defence lawyers, explore Céline's client testimonials and review her past criminal cases.

Your voice is heard from the very start. Céline personally manages all calls, voicemails, emails, and texts, taking great care to preserve every detail of your case. Her availability extends beyond typical office hours, providing accessibility round-the-clock, seven days a week. Connect today with a seasoned defence lawyer to discuss charges related to domestic assault, sexual assault, impaired driving, or other criminal matters.

Since beginning her legal career, Céline Dostaler has practiced exclusively as a criminal defence lawyer in practice areas that include:

If you're facing charges of sexual assault in Ontario, you could be dealing with severe repercussions, including up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of probation, inclusion in the national sex offender registry, and restrictions on international travel, among other penalties.

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If you're facing assault charges in Ontario, it's crucial to understand the gravity of the situation. Assault can range from the application or threat of force without consent to aggravated assault resulting in long-term injuries. The consequences of a conviction can be severe.

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If you are charged with domestic assault in Ontario, you could face significant consequences, such as restrictions in family contact, inability to see your children, financial and emotional strains, potential implications in family court proceedings, and burdensome bail conditions.

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Facing drug-related charges in Ontario, such as production, possession, or trafficking of controlled substances, can lead to severe consequences, including heavy fines and extended jail time. Even minor offences could result in a criminal record, affecting future employment opportunities. 

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White-collar crimes refer to non-violent offences aimed at financial gain, often through deception. Typically committed by individuals in the business world with access to large sums of money, these crimes can include identity theft, fraud, embezzlement of funds, tax evasion, and more.

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Facing charges of police obstruction in Ontario can lead to serious consequences. Police obstruction involves restricting law enforcement officers from carrying out their duties, including resisting or preventing an arrest, physically eluding the police and other activities that aim to obstruct justice.

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In Ontario, your rights as a Canadian citizen, including protection from unreasonable or arbitrary police actions like illegal searches, are safeguarded by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Any evidence obtained via violating these rights can be excluded from trial. If you're faced with charges based on evidence obtained potentially in violation of your Charter rights, it's crucial to have expert legal assistance.

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Being charged with possession of weapons with the intent to endanger public peace or commit a crime is a serious offence in Ontario. This covers a broad range of items, from restricted ones like crossbows and firearms to any item used with the intent to intimidate, threaten, or cause harm. Penalties for these charges can be severe, with a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment if indicted.

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If you are charged with impaired driving or driving over the legal limit of .80 in Ontario, you could face severe consequences, including an immediate 90-day licence suspension, fines, mandatory courses, installation of an interlock device, and increased insurance costs.

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Homicide, the act of taking another person's life, is a severe criminal offence in Ontario, categorized into three types: manslaughter, first-degree murder, and second-degree murder. These distinctions primarily depend on the responsibility the accused had for causing the death. Defences may include provocation or a drug-induced mental state that can reduce charges to manslaughter. If you're facing homicide or murder charges, seeking legal help is crucial.

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If you're charged with fraud or property offences in Ontario, you're dealing with accusations of "dishonest conduct," which broadly falls into three categories: dishonest acts, losses suffered by another party (or the risk of such loss), and the knowledge that the act could result in loss. Given the complexity of defining fraud as a crime, it is vital to have experienced legal guidance.

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If you are charged with theft in Ontario, it's important to understand the potentially severe consequences, including a criminal record, reduced employment opportunities, travel restrictions, restitution to the victim, and, for non-residents, possible deportation. Navigating these cases can be complex, and it's crucial to have expert legal advice.

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If you've been charged with the crime of mischief in Ontario, such as intentionally damaging another person's property without intent to steal, you face potential consequences, including a criminal record and possible jail time. Even minor property damage is taken seriously, with penalties increasing based on the level of damage caused.

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If you're facing charges related to child pornography in Ontario, such as possession, creation, access, or distribution, your reputation, family life, and livelihood are at risk. These offences carry severe penalties, ranging from a minimum of 6 months in jail for possession up to 10 years for creation or distribution. A robust defence can help mitigate these impacts, potentially avoiding conviction or negotiating a lesser charge.

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If you or someone you know under 18 has been charged with a crime in Ontario, remember that as a youth, you're not tried as an adult and are instead handled under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). This Act aims at rehabilitation more than punishment, with sentences often less severe than those for adult offenders and may include measures like restitution, counselling, or community service.

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If you or a loved one are facing a bail hearing in Ontario, it's critical to have experienced legal counsel to navigate this crucial stage of the justice system. Bail hearings are the Crown's first opportunity to present evidence against you, and if detained, you're limited to short meetings with your lawyer at the jail.

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"I love watching court series on TV, I love seeing shows about how lawyers work. But when it happened to me, I was scared. I was scared of wrongful convictions, I was scared I would go to jail for some…"
J.L. - Client Testimonial
"I was worried that I would be going to jail.  The judge told me I that in my cases, she would send me to jail. But Celine was able to convince the judge to sentence me to a discharge.  Although it was…"
E.G.P. - Client Testimonial
"I’ve never had to find a lawyer before.  But when my brother started telling people I touched him when I was younger I knew I needed the best lawyer anyone could find."
G.D.

Contact Céline Dostaler to schedule a free & confidential 30-minute consultation.

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Recent High-Profile Criminal Cases in Ottawa and Their Impact on Local Sentencing Trends

Recent High-Profile Criminal Cases in Ottawa and Their Impact on Local Sentencing Trends

Ottawa’s legal system has been shaped by numerous high-profile criminal cases in 2024, each shedding light on how courts balance punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety.

Social Media as Evidence in Canadian Criminal Trials: What You Need to Know

Social Media as Evidence in Canadian Criminal Trials: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, social media plays a pivotal role in people’s lives, often capturing moments, thoughts, and interactions. However, social media activity can also become critical evidence in criminal cases, including those in Ottawa and across Canada.

What to Include in a Character Reference to Ask a Judge for Leniency

What to Include in a Character Reference to Ask a Judge for Leniency

When someone you care about is facing sentencing in court, writing a character reference letter to the judge can be a powerful way to provide context about their character and contributions outside of their legal challenges.

Sitting in a police interview room and being questioned by law enforcement is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences a person can have. Whether you’re a suspect in a crime or a witness the police have identified as someone who may have relevant knowledge about a criminal offence, the experience will undoubtedly be rife with anxiety. In this article, I will outline how individuals in this kind of situation should respond, based on my years of successful practice as a criminal defence lawyer and advising clients who have been through it.
Too frequently these days, we see examples of police misconduct reported in the media. Last year, for example, Ontario’s Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) found a constable engaged in "serious misconduct" by arresting a man without legal authority and making disparaging remarks about him and his mother, CBC News reports. An audio recording of the incident was captured on the suspect’s phone. It contained proof that the officer committed two types of misconduct: unlawful arrest and discreditable conduct, the news agency reports.
When can the police search me?Being confronted by the police and asked to submit to a search of your person or property is a stressful situation that causes a great deal of anxiety for most people. It’s important that members of the public are aware of their rights when it comes to police searches. When conducting a search of your person or property, police officers have to follow specific rules to ensure they don’t infringe on your rights.
If a police officer conducts an unwarranted search of a vehicle you were in and discovers something that led to charges being laid, you may have grounds to have the charge thrown out. The freedom from random vehicle searches is granted by s. 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It states, “Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. ” However, as a background document for s.
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613.863.8595celine@celinedostaler.ca