Stephen Hebscher

Stephen has appeared in all the levels of criminal courts in Ontario. He has fought hard and won many difficult cases for his clients. Stephen vigorously defends the rights of his clients, and his only concern is to negotiate the most favourable result for them.

Through his decades of work in the Courts, and as a Part-time Assistant Crown Attorney (from 2005-2007), Stephen developed a relationship of mutual respect with many of the crown attorneys in the Toronto area, which is one of many factors that allow him to obtain the best possible results for his clients.

Stephen has represented clients charged with all manner of criminal offences including murder, robbery, assault, fraud, theft, drug and mental health offences.

Experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer

Over the years, Stephen has successfully defended a number of clients charged with sexual offences, including sexual assault, possession and distribution of child pornography, sexual interference, voyeurism, indecent act, and aggravated sexual assault. He has also successfully defended clients charged with spousal assault (domestic assault), and has obtained acquittals, withdrawals, and peace bonds. He has also represented many young clients charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Follow this link to read Stephen’s Client Testimonials. In a number of cases, Stephen has successfully argued that his clients’ rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms have been violated. For a recent example, follow this link to a case involving the exclusion of the finding by the police of a weapon. Representing many clients with mental health issues in the criminal courts, as well as before the Ontario Review Board, Stephen has helped many accused persons and their families get the community help and support that is so desperately hard to obtain in the Ontario Health Care System. As well as helping clients with mental health issues, Stephen has extensive experience helping clients and their families deal with substance abuse issues. Given that many accused persons and, specifically, those diagnosed with a mental illness, turn to drugs and/or alcohol to self-medicate, Stephen has forged a close relationship with many professionals- psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and substance abuse counselors- with experience in dealing with mental health, addiction, as well as other social problems.

Background

Stephen Hebscher graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1983, after completion of the Criminal Law Intensive Program. Stephen was called to the bar of Ontario in 1985, and has been practicing criminal law exclusively for over thirty-two years. His law office is located in North York, and he practices criminal law throughout Ontario. Stephen is a longstanding member of the Criminal Lawyers Association. Stephen has successfully completed the Intoxilyzer 8000 Breath Alcohol Technician Training Course (March 1-2, 2013).

Stephen was a legal member of the Ontario Review Board from 2015 to 2020. The Ontario Review Board annually reviews the status of every person who has been found to be not criminally responsible or unfit to stand trial for criminal offences on account of a mental disorder. The Ontario Review Board is established under the Criminal Code of Canada. The Board is made up of judges, lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists and public members. For more information on The Ontario Review Board, go to https://www.orb.on.ca.

Community involvement

Stephen has been volunteering for several years at Middlefield Collegiate Institute in Markham, Ontario as a guest speaker and Mock Trial Coach. The Grade 12 class is the Gold Medal winner of the Ontario Bar Association’s Mock Trial Competition. Stephen also annually volunteers as a Judge at the Ontario Bar Association-sponsored Mock Trial Competition for High School students. To see what Stephen Hebscher has to say about the latest issues of importance in criminal law, please see his most recent Twitter feeds, as well as his Blog. Follow this link to Client Testimonials to provide you with a flavour for what he could do for you or your loved-one.