Calgary Criminal Defence Lawyer

Tough. Strategic. Experienced.

Being charged with a criminal offence is one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life. Hiring the right lawyer to defend you is the most important decision you can make. I have over 20 years of experience in criminal law, and I have defended over 1600 people.  

Contact Me Today

Calgary Criminal Defence Lawyer

Tough. Strategic. Experienced.

Being charged with a criminal offence is one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life. Hiring the right lawyer to defend you is the most important decision you can make. I have over 20 years of experience in criminal law, and I have defended over 1600 people.  

Contact Me Today

110+ 5-Star Google Reviews
20+ Years of Criminal Defence Experience
1600+ Successful Cases

Calgary Criminal Lawyer

Susan Karpa

I am a Calgary based criminal defence lawyer who specializes in defending clients against criminal charges. When deciding on a lawyer to represent you in criminal matters, experience and results achieved are crucial considerations.

Review My Case History

BBB Accredited Business Best of Calgary ThreeBest Rated Law Society of Alberta Calgary Bar Association

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

TESTIMONIALS

I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support and expertise Ms. Karpa provided during one of the most challenging times in my life. From the moment we first connected, I knew I was in capable hands. Not only is Ms. Karpa incredibly knowledgeable and professional, but she also showed genuine compassion and dedication to my case, always ensuring that I understood every step of the process.

Throughout the entire experience, Ms. Karpa went above and beyond, offering not just legal guidance, but also emotional support. Her commitment to fighting for my best interests was evident in everything she did, and her calm and reassuring presence helped me stay focused and hopeful, even when things felt overwhelming.

Thanks to Ms. Karpa, I was able to navigate a tough legal situation with confidence and peace of mind. If you are looking for a lawyer who truly cares about their clients and is relentless in pursuing the best possible outcome, I highly recommend Ms. Karpa. She is not just a brilliant attorney, but a wonderful person

It has been a very challenging and stressful time in my life. I had the pleasure of working with Susan Karpa and couldn't be happier with the outcome. Her professionalism and no non-sense approach leads the case to the best possible outcome. I highly recommend Susan to anyone needing a criminal defence lawyer.

Working with Susan Karpa was a true relief during a difficult time. Her knowledge of criminal law is unparalleled, and from our very first meeting, we knew we had found someone who genuinely cared about our case. Susan’s deep understanding of legal intricacies, paired with her straightforward, no-nonsense communication style, put us at ease and gave us confidence that we were in good hands.

Susan was dedicated and transparent from day one. She made sure we were informed at every stage, patiently walking us through our rights and options. This consistent support helped us stay calm and confident, knowing we have an advocate who would leave no stone unturned.

Her strategic mindset was invaluable. Susan analyzed every angle, meticulously gathered evidence, and was always one step ahead with impressive foresight. Her thorough preparation and commitment ultimately led to a favorable outcome that exceeded our expectations.

Above all, Susan’s genuine empathy and compassion made a tough process feel more manageable. She supported us not only as a lawyer but as someone who truly understood the challenges we faced. For anyone looking for a criminal lawyer who combines professional skill with real care, Susan Karpa is an exceptional choice. Thank you, Susan, for your outstanding dedication and service!

I'm so thankful for having Susan on my side as she has been there fighting for me every step of the way, she is the best at doing what she does and i knew i was making the right decision putting all my trust in her! She not only works hard and diligently for you, but she also is there for you mentally which i loved. Susan has been able to rectify my case much quicker than i thought which i am so appreciative of, she has been my rock to lean on throughout these past months, so thank you once again Susan! It has been an honour to have you represent me, and in my opinion she is the most qualified and caring defense lawyer out there by far!

EXPERIENCE IN criminal law

Practice Areas

  • Assaults, Threats, and Harassment

    Assaults and related offences such as uttering threats and harassment can occur in many different forms. They range from mere threats to forms of simple assault, domestic violence, assaults involving weapons, those that cause bodily harm, and most serious of all, aggravated assaults.

  • Sexual Assault & Other Sexual Offences

    Sexual assault charges can arise in a multitude of factual circumstances, and can range from sexual assault with a weapon, causing bodily harm, or aggravated sexual assault.

  • Possession of Child Pornography and Luring

    Child pornography related offences can include allegations of possessing, making, or distributing such materials. A related offence is child luring. Evidence in this area is quite technical given the intricacies of the internet and modern-day technology.

  • Drug Offences

    Drug offences are taken very seriously and thus are governed by their own legislation called the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The new Cannabis Act also regulates the possession and use of marijuana.

  • Firearms & Weapons Offences

    There are various firearm and weapons related offences you may have been charged with. The use and possession of firearms carry strict requirements for it to be lawful.

  • Property Related Offences

    There is a wide array of property related offences which commonly include theft, mischief, and possession of stolen property. Various defences may be available to you that should be explored; the property may have been yours, maybe you had a property inte

  • Murder & Manslaughter Offences

    These are the most serious offences you can be charged with and they carry a potential consequence of life in jail. Due to the severity of the possible outcomes, they are among the most complicated cases to deal with.

  • Impaired Driving & Other Driving Offences

    These charges are relatively common and can have serious impacts on your daily life and employment. There are both criminal charges you may face and provincial regulatory consequences in terms of your license and ability to drive.

  • Release Conditions, Probation, and Conditional Sentences

    Upon being criminally charged, you may have been released either on an appearance notice, undertaking, or release order. These documents set out conditions you will have to follow ranging from simply attending court and fingerprinting all the way up to curfews and other restrictions.

  • Release and Bail

    Upon being charged, the default rule for many offences is that you should be released as soon as reasonably possible and on the least restrictive conditions suitable to your case.

Experience in criminal law

SUSAN KARPA

I take my commitment to my clients seriously. I work hard to defend all criminal charges equally. Whether you have been charged with assault, a sexual offence, theft, drug trafficking, weapons offence or something else, I strive to ensure the best possible outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If there is a warrant for your arrest in a particular jurisdiction – for example, Alberta, or Canada – the police in that jurisdiction have the authority to arrest you. Once you are arrested, you may be released by a police officer on an appearance notice or undertaking or you may be held while you wait to have a bail hearing in front of a justice of the peace or judge.

In most cases, having a warrant for your arrest is not what some television shows and movies make it out to be – the police are not usually going to great lengths to find you and bring you to jail. However, the police may be searching for you, and if you happen to come across the police (and tell them who you are) for any reason, you will almost certainly be arrested. Even if you happen to drive by a highway patrol officer who runs your license plate through a police database – and police routinely do this – you may be pulled over and arrested.

In my role as a criminal lawyer, one of the common questions you may need to ask me before you’ve been charged is: 

“THE POLICE HAVE CONTACTED ME, AND THEY WANT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT SOMETHING. CAN I REFUSE?”
 
At this early stage, the police may want to ask some questions. It may be about an incident you participated in, one you witnessed, or one you have simply became aware of. Based upon my experience, the police will likely be contacting you about a matter for which they are contemplating laying criminal charges.

Before hiring a criminal defence lawyer, the lawyer will often set up an initial consultation with the prospective client. What happens during those initial consultations will vary from criminal defence lawyer to criminal defence lawyer, but generally speaking a few key subjects will be reviewed with the client.

For myself, I always ask the client to bring with them copies of any paperwork they may have received from police. However, if you are looking to consult with a criminal defence lawyer before charges are laid, for pre-charge advice, then you will not necessarily have any paperwork from the police.