May 2016;

One of Mr Morin's clients was accused of using an American dollar bill in a store knowing it was counterfeit. Such an charge is always considered an indictable offense for which the sentence can go up to 14 years in jail. It is thus impossible to benefit from a discharge and a record suspension (or pardon) cannot be filed for 10 years following the convinction.

Following negotiations with the Crown prosecutor in Valleyfield, Mr Morin's client was allowed to plead guilty on a summary conviction fraud charge instead, which allowed him to benefit from a conditional discharge considering his young age, the fact the store suffered no losses and the impact a criminal record would have had on his academic possibilites.

A conditional discharge allows an accused who has been declared guilty to avoid a criminal record if certain criteria are met. "Conditional" means that a probation period will be imposed, during which the accused will normally have to carry out community work and make a donation to charity. Your personal situation may have an important impact on the outcome of your case. By consulting a lawyer, you can expect that your rights will be duly protected and the best possible defense will be presented in court. 

Notice : Not all of Mr Morin's clients avoid a criminal record or are acquitted. This section must not be considered as a judicial opinion or a guarantee that he can obtain the same result in your case. Court representations depend on the myriad of facts composing each particular case, the existence of a prior record and your personal situation. Make an appointment for an evaluation of your specific case.