The East Kootenay is a long way from most criminal defence lawyers, and that makes a fast, clear answer worth a lot. As a criminal lawyer Cranbrook clients can reach by phone the same day, Julian Van Der Walle defends impaired driving, drug, assault and firearms charges at the Cranbrook Law Courts and across the region. Call 1-877-212-9645 for a free, confidential consultation.
EAST KOOTENAY COURT
KIMBERLEY TO FERNIE
CALL 1-877-212-9645
Criminal charges from Cranbrook and the East Kootenay are heard at the Cranbrook Law Courts, which hears Provincial Court matters and BC Supreme Court files for the region. Charges from Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Invermere and Elkford feed into the same regional system.
East Kootenay files have their own mix. Highway 3 and Highway 95 carry a lot of traffic to and from Alberta and the US border, the Elk Valley mines bring in shift workers who cannot afford to lose a licence, and ski towns like Fernie and Kimberley see weekend impaired and assault files. Cranbrook RCMP and the other East Kootenay detachments handle most of the policing.
For a mine worker or a tradesperson, losing a licence can mean losing the job, so the defence has to start early. Julian reads the full disclosure, tests the stop, the search and the right to counsel under sections 8, 9 and 10(b) of the Charter, and keeps an eye on the Jordan delay ceilings.
He then works toward the result that protects your work and your record, from a withdrawal or stay to a discharge, a peace bond or an acquittal at trial.
The first conversation is free and is usually done by phone or video given the distance. Julian goes over the charge, your conditions and your court dates, requests disclosure, and tells you plainly whether to resolve early or set the matter for trial.
Routine appearances can often be handled without you taking time off, and Julian makes the trip for the ones that matter.
It starts with a free phone or video consultation. Julian looks at the charge and the circumstances in Cranbrook and gives you an honest read on your options.
Julian works through the disclosure, from roadside paperwork to warrants and statements, looking for Charter breaches and weak points in Crown's case.
Julian represents you at the Cranbrook Law Courts from bail through resolution talks with Crown or a full trial.
“I sincerely promise and swear that I will diligently, faithfully, and to the best of my ability execute the offices of barrister and solicitor; that I will not promote suits on frivolous pretences; that I will not pervert the law to favour or prejudice anyone; but in all things conduct myself truly and with integrity; and that I will uphold the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of all persons according to the laws of Canada and of the province of British Columbia.”
Julian van der Walle
Julian Van Der Walle defends charges from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and Invermere. The files he sees most from the East Kootenay are impaired driving and IRPs, drug charges from highway stops, assault and firearms charges. For West Kootenay files around Nelson and Castlegar, see his Kootenays page.
Got an IRP on Highway 3 or 95? You have 7 days from being served to apply for a review with RoadSafetyBC. Learn about IRP reviews.
Drug charges from East Kootenay highway stops often turn on the reason for the stop and the vehicle search. Drug charge defence.
From a weekend fight in Fernie or Kimberley to a domestic assault charge, Crown often starts high. Assault defence.
Harassment and image-sharing charges in the East Kootenay usually turn on phone records and how they were seized. Computer crime defence.
Storage, licensing and transport rules for firearms catch a lot of hunters in the East Kootenay. The details matter. Firearms offence defence.
A conviction or sentence from the Cranbrook Law Courts can be appealed to the BC Court of Appeal within 30 days. Criminal appeals.
Impaired, over 80 and refusal charges can cost a mine or trades worker their job. Julian challenges the stop and the breath tests. DUI and impaired driving defence.
Theft, mischief, breach and other Criminal Code charges laid in the East Kootenay. Other criminal charges.
Whatever the charge, get advice before you talk to police or accept a deal. The consultation with Julian is free and confidential.
Yes. A lot of the early work, from reviewing disclosure to talking with Crown, is done remotely. Julian handles Cranbrook files by phone and video and attends the court appearances that matter.
It can, which is why the licence side needs attention right away. An IRP has a 7 day review deadline, and the criminal charge carries a federal driving prohibition if you are convicted. Early defence work gives you the most options.
The case stays in BC, but many appearances can be handled by your lawyer without you making the drive each time.
Often, yes. Many appearances can be done by counsel, and Julian schedules around rotations at the mine where he can.
Call 1-877-212-9645 or send Julian a message through the contact form. If you have a court date coming up at the Cranbrook Law Courts or an IRP deadline, mention it on the call.
If you have been criminally charged and are not sure what to do, you need to get competent legal representation right away.
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