Appellate practice is an increasingly specialized and complex area of the criminal law.

For many clients, their involvement in the criminal justice system will not end at the completion of their trial or sentencing. Both the Defence and Prosecution have a broad right to appeal verdicts and sentences. Depending on the nature of the offence or appeal itself, these rights of appeal may extend all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Appellate practice is an increasingly specialized and complex area of the criminal law. Increasingly, criminal law firms are refusing to conduct appeals because of demanding time lines, rigid filing rules and the significant preparation time involved to assess, prepare and file the written submissions required prior to arguing an appeal. A typical murder appeal, for example, will involve the careful review of sometimes thousands of pages of trial transcripts. New rules for such appeals also require them to be filed in electronic form. Dawson Stevens & Shaigec is one of only a few Edmonton based firms who has invested in the computer software and training required for electronic appeals.

The appeals practice in our firm is headed up by Laura K. Stevens,Q.C., who has over twenty years of appellate experience. Laura has conducted appeals at every appellate level, including the Alberta Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada. Laura focuses primarily on murder and serious offence appeals. She has on a number of occasions been appointed directly by the Court of Appeal to provide legal opinions to the court, or to represent an appellant before them.

Working with Laura in our appeals section are Lauren Garcia, Graham Johnson and Sarah DeSouza.

If you are seeking assistance for a criminal appeal please contact Laura, Lauren or Graham by calling the Edmonton office.