My name is Joseph LoConte and I’m one of the Niagara Region’s most experienced and successful criminal defence lawyers. For over 30 years, I’ve helped many, many clients to successfully defend criminal charges in the Niagara Region and throughout Ontario.
My life’s work has been about fighting on behalf of those who are in need of a defence lawyer who will do his best to help the client WIN THE CASE, or, at the very least, ensure the best possible result to allow the client to go on with their life.
My Goal: To Help the Client Win Their Case.
All of my clients have a lot at stake – that is why they come to me. Each one faces the threat of conviction and a lifelong criminal record. For them, conviction could mean severe loss – loss of employment, career aspirations, professional reputation, work licences, driving privileges and, often, with the threat of jail – their very freedom.
My goal is to intervene and present the strongest defence possible against the charge(s) and win my client’s case or, at the very least, to minimize the “damage” to my client’s life and future.
Know Your Chances. Know Your Rights. Defend Yourself.
Many client’s are going through the criminal justice system for the first time. Most of them don’t know how to proceed. Few are aware of whether their constitutional rights were violated by the authorities. Fewer are aware that police constitutional violation(s) may lead to a not guilty result. Most are not aware whether or not the charge(s) are legally proveable beyond a reasonable doubt in court. When you turn to me for help, I will protect your right to fair treatment under the law with the goal of winning your case.
No matter how difficult a situation you find yourself in, as your defence counsel, I will be standing by you to vigorously defend you with the goal of winning the case or obtaining the best result possible.
Tough Legal Defence.
After 30 years of vigorously defending client’s in the courtroom and my proven track record of results at both the Superior Court level (both with Judges and/or Juries) and the Ontario Court of Justice level my advice to clients is simple: DO NOT PLEAD GUILTY – LET ME FIRST REVIEW AND ASSESS YOUR CASE. You need to make an informed decision. You need to know what defences are available. You need to know what your best options are.
A successful criminal defence never happens by chance. It comes as a result of thorough legal preparation. With prosecutors I take a tough, fiercely strategic approach. With my clients, I offer them respect, genuine concern and full effort. I understand what clients are going through and I work hard to achieve the best outcome possible.
My Goal: Protecting the Client on Sentencing.
If a conviction is unavoidable (and the client gives informed instructions to enter a plea of guilty) it’s my job to protect the client by way of conducting “plea resolution” negotiations to ensure the best possible sentencing result. Police and/or prosecutors all too often “load up” charges against citizens, that is, they over charge an accused in order to obtain legal and/or practical advantages over the accused. Many of these charges cannot be proven in court and it is the lawyer’s duty to the client, assuming one or more charges are provable in court, to obtain the best possible “plea resolution” for the client. That is to say, to have many of the more serious charges withdrawn and to have the client make an informed plea to the least serious charge (or to a substitute lesser charge etc.) with a view to obtaining the best possible sentence for the client. Often the lawyer’s most important service is the result when the client is sentenced. Sentencing can range from serious jail time (penitentiary) to less jail time, to an intermittent (weekend sentence), to a conditional sentence (house arrest), to a fine and/or probation, to a conditional or an absolute discharge, to a “peace bond” or to some out of court “diversion”. A knowledgeable and committed lawyer who brings his successful fighting reputation to the negotiating table can make all the difference for the client.
Get a FREE Professional Phone Consultation
If you’ve been charged your next most important decision is choosing your defence lawyer. You need to get immediate legal advice to ensure that you are able to fully defend yourself. In choosing your defence lawyer ask yourself: Has he “won” many contested trials? Is he experienced? Is he knowledgeable ? Is he committed to fully and vigorously defending me? You need to make the right decision to get the right lawyer. Call me for a FREE initial phone consultation at 905-357-5554 or email me through my online form to arrange a consultation.