Recent Wins
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February 2026
Client was charged with possessing a prohibited firearm. After the defence insisted the firearm be tested for operability and catagorized by a firearms expert, Crown finally acknowledged the firearm is not a prohibited weapon thus reducing the potential sentence significantly.
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February 2026
Client charged with breaching her probation order for not completing counselling as directed were withdrawn unconditionally after extensive negotiations. Client's probation officer was changed.
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February 2026
Client's gun possession charges withdrawn after forensic evidence failed to connect him to the firearm and the Crown Attorney was persuaded testimony of complainants and co-accused would not survive cross-examination at trial.
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January 2026
Charges of assault withdrawn unconditionally after the defence persuaded the Crown Attorney that the complaint was unsupported by any evidence and the complainant has a history of unreliability.
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January 2026
Charges of criminal harassment and public mischief withdrawn after extensive negotiations with the Crown Attorney.
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December 2025
Charges of aggravated assault for stabbing ​an abusive partner were amended to simple assault. The court ordered a sentence of suspended sentence and probation.
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December 2025
At trial the Crown could not prove my client was present during an assault that sent the victim to hospital. Charges of assault bodily harm and forcible confinement withdrawn.
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November 2025
Autistic client arrested by police for the fourth time within 18mths for calling 911 without cause. Police wanted to take him into custody. Parents called me. Client was released from police custody.
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September 2025 - domestic choking, assault, utter threats
Client acquitted on all charges at trial. Justice ruled that the Crown did not prove the allegations true beyond a reasonable doubt after my cross-examination of the complainant showed repeated inconsistencies in her testimony. Justice also acquitted on the basis of self-defence.
June 2025 - assault bodily harm, assault
Client was surety for a woman who assaulted him when he confronted her about possible breaches of her bail. Police charged both. After one meeting with the Crown Attorney the charges were withdrawn unconditionally.
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March 2025 - Assault, Assault Police
Client assaulted a social worker in one group home and police while in different group home. All charges withdrawn in both jurisdictions.
February 2025 - Firearms Trial
After a 1.5 day trial at the Ontario Court of a Justice my client was fully acquitted of all charges - including possession of a restricted firearm without a licence. And the client did NOT have to testify. An Agreed Statement of Facts substantially shortened the trial duration saving thousands of dollars while generating the best result.
March 2025 - Bail Release
Despite having 8 prior releases - including one requiring Bail Program supervision - my client was again released on his own recognizance after a constested hearing where the Crown prosecutor vigorously argued for his detention in jail until trial.
January 2024 - Bail Review Appeal
After a Justice of the Peace detained my client I appealed by filing an a bail review appeal days later. After reading my paperwork, the Crown Attorney prosecutor agreed the Justice of the Peace should have released my client and consented to bail.
October 2024 - Impaired Driving Trial
After one day of trial where my cross-examination elicited damaging testimony from police officers, the Crown Attorney prosecutor offered my client a plea-bargain he accepted. All Criminal Code charges were withdrawn in exchange for my client pleading guilty to one Highway Traffic Act offence.
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July 2024 - Challenge to a Search Warrant
Lawyers defending a large-scale "project" prosecution wanted to challenge the legality of a dozen search warrants executed on their clients' homes and vehicles. Those lawyers wanted to cross-examine the police officers who drafted the affidavits that convinced justices to issue those warrants. After reviewing and organizing hundreds of pages of documents I drafted the application and supporting factum. In the decision authorizing the cross-examination of every one of those police officers, the judge quoted from my factum.
Stephanie Heyens has been a fearless advocate for over 25 years. Her longstanding relationships and defence strategies earn proven results. Her work has freed thousands from the threat of a criminal conviction causing job loss, housing loss, and deportation.
Her criminal defence litigation forced Crown Attorneys to disclose search warrant applications as initial disclosure (R. v. Osei 2007 O.J. 768) and her bail review resulted in the first acknowledgement that “Gladue” principles apply to bail proceedings. (R. v. Bain 2004 O.J. 6147).
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In 2018 Stephanie presented to Canada's Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Her submissions were cited by policitians when they announced the removal of part of Bill C-75.
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Biography
Testimonials
I can't thank you enough Stephanie. The judge did the right thing and it was because of you.
- V.O.
I'm so glad I found you! You were concerned for my family and understood about our situation. I am so relieved it is all over. I cannot believe what we went through. I already contacted my family lawyer and I will visit my kids next weekend! I wish you and your family all the best.
- T.M. and R.B.
Published Articles
Copyright 2024.
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