August 28, 2026
Roadside Appeals in Alberta: What Drivers Need to Know
A roadside appeal under section 88.11 of Alberta's Traffic Safety Act gives drivers who blow a Fail an immediate second test on a different Approved S…
READ THIS POST
Criminal Defence Lawyers Serving Calgary and Alberta
Calgary Criminal
Defence Lawyers
When everything is on the line, experience matters. We provide strategic, relentless defence for individuals facing criminal charges across Calgary and beyond.
- DUI and Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS)
- Urgent, Bail Hearings
- Domestic Violence and Assault
- Drug Offences
- Sexual Offences
Our practice
How can we help you?
Our criminal defence team has successfully defended clients against all major offences in Canada. Every charge below connects to a dedicated defence strategy tailored to your circumstances.
VIEW ALL SERVICES From simple possession through to multi-kilogram trafficking, production, importation, and conspiracy charges, our Calgary criminal defence lawyers have defended the full spectrum of drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. We know where these prosecutions are most vulnerable and we build defences from the ground up.
What Happens When You Call
A friction-free defence, four steps.
Calling a criminal lawyer should not add to your stress. From the first ring to courtroom action, here is exactly what to expect from Hoare Claxton.
01
We Listen
Confidential, unrushed intake. We capture every fact and concern, on your timeline.
02
We Identify Risks
Disclosure review, Charter analysis, evidence audit. We map the real exposure quickly.
03
We Explain Options
Plain language briefing on every realistic path, with honest probabilities and costs.
04
We Take Action
Bail, court appearances, negotiation or trial. We move decisively to protect your future.
Need urgent guidance right now?
Our lawyers answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
12,000+
Criminal defence cases defended
Google
Client reviews
110+
Years of combined experience
24/7
Hour support, every day
Meet our team
A Calgary firm with a reputation for results.
Based in the heart of Calgary, our dedicated team of criminal lawyers takes the time to understand your unique circumstances and vigorously defend your reputation and liberty.
Our office is located at 600 6 Ave SW Suite 210 in downtown Calgary, steps from the Calgary Courts Centre at 601 5 St SW. We appear before the Honourable Justices of Calgary Provincial Court and the Court of King's Bench of Alberta on a weekly basis. When you call us, you reach a team that is physically present in the Calgary court system every week.
Peter A. Hoare
Criminal Lawyer
Serious indictable matters, homicide, and Charter litigation.
Mike C. Gilchrist
Criminal Lawyer
Complex and novel prosecutions, fraud, and impaired driving.
Alexander Koustov
Criminal Lawyer
Drug offences, sexual assault, impaired driving, and bail hearings.
Sadaf Raja
Criminal Lawyer
Domestic violence charges and the family law issues that follow.
- Combined Years of Criminal Defence Experience
- 110+Combined Years of Criminal Defence Experience
- Cases Reviewed Across Our Practice
- 12,000+Cases Reviewed Across Our Practice
- Dedicated Criminal Defence Lawyers
- 4Dedicated Criminal Defence Lawyers
- Available for Urgent Matters
- 24/7Available for Urgent Matters
Hoare Claxton Criminal Defence Lawyers appears in Calgary Provincial Court and the Court of King's Bench of Alberta on a weekly basis.
Google Reviews
Third-party recognition
Recognized by Calgary Publications
What our clients say
Trusted by Calgarians when it matters most.
"Peter was able to have my case dismissed. I am more than grateful for this outcome and would highly recommend Peter to anyone looking for top legal representation in Alberta."
"The Hoare Claxton team is absolutely the best. Our lawyer was outstanding."
"I have dealt with Peter for the last ten years. He's very upfront and to the point and never sugar coats the facts. He's gotten me out of a few sticky situations, and my life would be a lot different if it wasn't for him. Thanks for everything Peter."
News and blog
Insight from our defence team.
August 19, 2026
What Is a Consent Fight in Canada?
Agreeing to fight does not necessarily prevent criminal liability in Canada. How assault is proven, and when consent fails under R. v. Jobidon.
READ THIS POST
August 19, 2026
Understanding a Stay of Proceedings Under Section 672.851 of the Criminal Code: A Guide for Permanently Unfit Accused
How section 672.851 of the Criminal Code allows a court to permanently stay proceedings against an accused who is permanently unfit to stand trial.
READ THIS POSTFrequently asked questions
Answers from seasoned defence counsel.
Facing a criminal charge in Calgary can be overwhelming. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive. Every case is unique, call us for advice specific to your situation.
Need specific answers?
Every case has its own set of facts. Don't rely on general advice, get a professional opinion from a respected Calgary criminal lawyer at Hoare Claxton.
Priority Practice Areas
The charges we defend most in Calgary
- Calgary DUI Lawyer
Impaired driving defence under the Criminal Code and Alberta's IRS scheme.
- Calgary Criminal Driving Lawyer
Dangerous driving, hit and run, flight from police, and driving while prohibited.
- Calgary Bail Hearing Lawyer
Urgent release applications and contested bail hearings, 24/7.
- Calgary Domestic Violence Lawyer
Immediate intervention on no-contact orders, bail variations, and trial.
- Calgary Drug Lawyer
Simple possession through multi-kilogram trafficking, production, and importation.
- Calgary Sexual Offence Lawyer
Confidential representation on the full spectrum of sexual offence charges.
Why Hoare Claxton
Choosing a criminal lawyer in Calgary
A criminal charge in Calgary moves quickly: release conditions, first appearance dates, and disclosure deadlines arrive within days. The lawyer you retain early decides how much of that timeline works in your favour. Here is what our clients rely on when they call us.
Calgary courts are our daily practice
Our lawyers appear at the Calgary Courts Centre and before the Alberta Court of Justice, the Court of King's Bench, and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Knowing how local Crown offices, docket courts, and judges handle a file shapes the strategy we recommend from day one.
110+ years of combined trial experience
Four criminal defence lawyers, led by founding partner Peter A. Hoare, whose practice has been devoted exclusively to criminal defence for 30 years. Complex trials, Charter applications, and contested bail hearings are handled by counsel who have run them many times before.
A live lawyer, 24 hours a day
Arrests and bail hearings do not wait for business hours. Call (587) 355-8889 at any hour and you speak with a criminal lawyer, not an answering service, so the first decisions after a charge are made with legal advice in hand.
Trusted by Calgary clients
Read what clients say about Hoare Claxton Criminal Defence on Google. Every consultation is free, unrushed, and protected by solicitor-client privilege from the first word.
Not sure which charge page applies to your situation? Start with our criminal defence services, read about bail hearings in Alberta, or send us your case details for a free review. If the accused is under 18, see how the YCJA applies to youth charges.
The next step
Take control of your defence today.
Reading about the law is a good first step, but it is not a substitute for having an experienced advocate in your corner. The outcome of your case often depends on the steps you take immediately after being charged. At Hoare Claxton we protect the rights of Albertans facing serious allegations every day. We offer a free, confidential initial consultation.
Don't navigate the justice system alone.
Contact us
For the legal representation you deserve.
Our lawyers will assist you with an initial cost-free, fully-confidential, zero-obligation consultation. All consultations are subject to solicitor-client privilege, meaning we cannot be compelled by any authority to divulge the information you provide us. Comfortable, non-rushed, and designed to give you as much guidance as possible.
Call us 24/7
(587) 355-8889
Office
600 6 Ave SW, Suite 210, Calgary, AB T2P 0S5
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Phones answered 24/7.