Choosing A Lawyer

When you have been charged with a criminal offence, the stakes are extremely high. You are facing the possibility of jail time, and of suffering permanent damage to your ability to earn a livelihood, travel or participate in your community. The legal system is enormously complex, and intimidating. The lawyer you entrust with your life has to be someone who can guide you through this ordeal and help you get your life back. Your lawyer must be someone you have the utmost faith and confidence in. Yet there are hundreds of lawyers licensed to practice criminal law in Ontario. How do you know whom to trust?

The Defence Group

At The Defence Group, our goal is to assemble the best team to win your case. Your defence team will be assembled by our criminal defence lawyer, Arun S. Maini, after a free consultation with you, and a thorough review and analysis of your case.

Arun is a highly experienced criminal lawyer and former prosecutor who is a sole practitioner, assisted by office staff, paralegals, junior lawyers and other experts. In addition to your criminal defence lawyer, some of the professionals on your defence team may include the following: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist, a therapist or counsellor, or a forensic toxicologist. Our offices are located in Toronto, Oakville, and Vaughan, and we serve clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Here are four of the most important qualities in a good lawyer:

1. First of all, your lawyer must be well qualified to handle your case. At The Defence Group, Arun S. Maini has 15 years of experience as a federal Crown attorney, a provincial Crown attorney, and as a criminal defence lawyer. He has conducted hundreds of trials ranging from simple assault to tax evasion to murder. He is particularly experienced in conducting jury trials. In deciding whether your lawyer has the experience to take on your case, ask yourself whether you feel more confident in a lawyer who has been on the other side of the courtroom, who has worked with the people who will be prosecuting your case, and who knows them well. Who better to analyze and take apart the case brought against you then a lawyer who has years of experience in putting those cases together?

2. Next, your lawyer should be accessible. At The Defence Group, we return your calls. We are shocked at the number of clients who come to us from other law firms and complain that they could never reach their previous lawyer, even in an emergency! How can you trust your lawyers to handle one of the most critical issues in your life if you can’t reach them?

At The Defence Group, we pride ourselves on our clients’ access to us. That means that you can reach us, whether it be by telephone, fax, text or email. That means that we will meet with you whenever and wherever it is convenient to you. We will answer and return your phone calls. We will keep you up-to-date every step of the way. And at The Defence Group, we are available to handle your emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3. A good lawyer will help you to understand your case. A lawyer who talks down to you with unfamiliar terminology, or who won’t take the time to explain the case to you is not a lawyer you can trust. The criminal system is intimidating and difficult to understand: your lawyer shouldn’t be. At The Defence Group, we will explain the court process, the details of your case, and the various options that are open to you. The vast majority of our clients have never been in trouble with the law before, and they have many questions. We will answer them all. We will make sure that you understand what is going on at every stage of your case, and why. You will feel confident and well informed, so that you can participate fully in your defence.

4. A good lawyer will charge a reasonable fee. As with everything else in society, you want value for money. At The Defence Group, we will take the time right at the outset of the case to explain to you our fee structure and the services you will receive. We will be clear about what you can expect to pay, and we will send you invoices regularly so that you can see how we are earning our fees. You will benefit from unmatched access, client service, and all of our knowledge, skill, and experience.

The Defence Group

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Based on 13 reviews

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Peter Boushy

18:13 29 Nov 22

As a friend and colleague of Arun, I have witnessed first-hand his very impressive wins in court. In fact, in 2022 alone, I closely followed three criminal trials (one with a jury) where Arun was defence counsel - and he won all three! These cases were complex and involved sensitive allegations wherein his clients strenuously asserted their innocence. All three were vindicated in court. Arun's obvious strengths, including his mastery of the law, his civility in court, and his dogged determination to vigorously defend his clients, are most impressive. I have personally known Arun for over 35 years, and his character and legal acumen make him easily one of the most effective trial lawyers in the province.

Ruby Mann

23:42 11 Nov 22

Arun is one of the best lawyers I have ever met. He is extremely diligent and can handle any case with care and professionalism. Arun is extremely down to earth, organized, calm, and respectful. He is exactly the type of lawyer you would want to represent you. I would highly recommend Arun to anyone looking for a criminal defence lawyer. I met Arun while I was in my undergrad and had the goal of attending law school, Arun gave me the opportunity to observe him in trial and learn how everything operates first-hand. I was extremely impressed with how he had the ability to work under pressure, form effective arguments and quickly think on the spot. From my eyes, this case looked extremely difficult however, Arun was quick to demonstrated that with the right knowledge and arguments, you can indeed be successful. His calm presence in court was something I found to be highly effective. I was blown away with his opening and closing statements, how he presented evidence, and the type of questions he had for the witnesses. I was able to observe that even the jury was impressed with his work. Arun understands that these are hard and stressful times for his clients which he made sure to address. Arun makes communication a priority for his clients as I saw they were able to address any concerns they might have. In this trial, Arun’s client was found not guilty, and this proves how effective and successful he is in this field. I view Arun as a mentor, and he has helped me with achieving my goals of becoming a lawyer. I have met several lawyers in the past and Arun is the one who I respect and admire the most. Arun is exactly the type of lawyer I hope to become one day. It’s been a privilege to have observed him in action.Whether you are a client or student, Arun will go above and beyond to help you find success.

Sonia A

14:17 19 Apr 22

I observed Arun in-person over the course of a weeklong jury trial. For context, I am a law student that was assisting on the case. I was impressed by the calmness Arun brought to the courtroom. In most scenarios, clients are in a very rough time when having to deal with a criminal defence lawyer and court can be an overwhelming place.Arun ensured to always be available to the client to answer any questions or concerns. He was patient in explaining the court process and his own thought process on the case to the client. He ensured to meet with the client briefly every day before entering the courtroom to provide the client reassurance and comfort.Given that Arun has been practicing criminal law for about 27 years, I found him to be extremely knowledgeable. He is strategic in the decisions he makes and foresees points the Crown could make.His mannerisms with the Crown, witnesses, and presentation with the jury were excellent. Arun’s oral statements in court were well prepared, thorough, and respectful. Arun is naturally a calm and collected individual and this showed through his composure throughout the entire trial.As a result of his unique personal style, thorough knowledge, and professionalism, the client was found not guilty of the charge. I would highly recommend Arun to any person that is looking for a criminal defence lawyer.

Jasleen Saini

01:59 03 Mar 21

I met Arun Maini when I was a second-year law student, but I wish I had met him earlier because right from the start, he has been an absolutely invaluable mentor. I’ve known him for about a year now, and I can confidently say that I learned more from him about criminal defence in the year that I have known him, than I did in my 3 years of law school. He is one of the best mentors a student can ask for! He is incredibly patient and has devoted countless time and resources into teaching me how to be an effective criminal defence lawyer as himself.Not only is Arun a phenomenal criminal defence lawyer, but he has also spent many years as a successful Crown prosecutor. That means that you can definitely count on him to be exceptionally knowledgeable about all aspects of criminal law. He is also kind, compassionate, professional, brilliant and a hardworking lawyer. I have seen all these traits in him first-hand. It is because of his kindness, compassion and hard work, that he is so well-respected by Crown attorneys, judges and the legal community as a whole. From attending client meetings and court proceedings with him, I have seen how his incredible reputation and skill has afforded favourable resolutions for his clients. I have seen how he works closely and courteously with Crown attorneys to negotiate advantageous outcomes for his clients. And I have witnessed first-hand how he dedicates countless hours to his work and goes above and beyond in every case he takes on. When it comes to criminal defence, Arun truly is one of the best.Importantly, Arun is also very understanding, personable and has a client focused approach. He listens to his clients and their families and ensures that they are heard and that their version of the events is put before the judge. He takes the time to properly explain things to his clients so that they understand the different aspects of the justice system and the consequences that different charges and sentences carry. With Arun by your side guiding you and supporting you at each stage, going through the criminal justice process is made easier and less frightening.Currently, I am still working as a student for Arun Maini and I reach out to him every time I have a criminal law related question. And I know that in the future, even when I go off on my own, Arun will still be my first call whenever I need advice on a criminal law matter. Given his decades of experience and success as a criminal defence lawyer, I am grateful that he happily and passionately shares his skill, knowledge and expertise with me. Arun Maini left no stone unturned when it came to mentoring me, just as he leaves no stone unturned in building the best defence for his clients.

Cassy Beaulac

23:43 02 Oct 19

I first met Arun Maini as a second-year law student. As a (then) law student strongly interested in criminal law, Arun personally took me under his wing as a mentor and has devoted his time to teaching me all the ins and outs of how to be a successful and effective criminal defense lawyer. We have since worked together on criminal cases, and continue to work together with the alike.As a (now) student-at-law completing my articles in the area of criminal defense, I consider Arun to be not only a wonderful mentor (and my go-to person for all things criminal law), but also an exceptional criminal defense lawyer to learn from. Arun is well-respected by all stakeholders, including Crown attorneys, in the legal community, and I have seen first-hand this afford his clients a favourable advantage in resolving their charges. He is incredibly personable, kind and understanding of the often multi-faceted consequences that a criminal charge and/or conviction can carry for his clients. He is dedicated and always goes above-and-beyond to ensure the best possible result, whether that means resolution or going to trial.In summary, I know personally Arun to be a hardworking, extremely knowledgeable and compassionate criminal defence lawyer. Given Arun’s experience and success in criminal defence, I am very appreciative that he is always willing to share his skills, knowledge, expertise with me.

Choosing A Lawyer

The Defence Group

Here are four of the most important qualities in a good lawyer:

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