Filkow Law has extensive experience across all areas of criminal law practice with particular expertise in the areas of sexual offences, criminal driving, assault offences, and drug & money charges.
Criminal law has become increasingly complicated. The impacts of a criminal record are devastating and lasting. It is important to retain highly qualified criminal lawyers who know the criminal justice system. The best legal representation demands a number of aptitudes: hard work, legal knowledge, preparation, sound judgment, good relationships and people skills, negotiation, advocacy, courtroom skills, commitment and tenacity.
As experienced criminal defence lawyers in Vancouver, BC, we possess these proficiencies and are dedicated to providing the best outcome. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a criminal offence, contact Filkow Law for legal assistance.
For more information on our highlighted practice areas, click any of the links below.

Sexual Offences
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Interference
- Publication of Intimate Images
- Indecent Act/Exposure
- Luring a Child

Criminal Driving
- Impaired Driving (DUI)
- Illegal Blood Alcohol Level
- Refusal to Comply with a Demand
- Dangerous Driving
- Hit-and-Run

Assault Offences
- Assault
- Domestic Assault
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Assault with a Weapon
- Aggravated Assault
- Uttering Threats
- Criminal Harassment
- Weapons Offences
- Peace Bond

Drug Offences
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Trafficking
- Possession
- Cannabis Offences
- Importing

Theft & Property Offences
- Theft
- Fraud
- Civil Forfeiture
- Breaking and Entering
- Robbery
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime
I have a first court date coming up. What should I do?
We recommend that you contact us in advance of that date.
Do I look guilty if I hire a lawyer?
No. You are innocent until proven guilty and you have the right to counsel. Exercising your rights cannot be used against you.
If I am taken into custody by the police. What should I do?
One of the most scary and unpleasant events for someone is to be in police custody. There is a serious imbalance of power. A phone call to a lawyer is generally the only legal assistance at a very vulnerable time. If you have been arrested, contact Filkow Law at (604-558-8778) or our 24-hour toll-free number at (1-855-558-8778).
Are the police allowed to randomly stop me while I am on the street?
Generally, the police do not have the power to stop or question you without a reason. The police are only permitted to detain and demand your identification when they have a reasonable suspicion that you are engaged in criminal activity. If the police do not have a reasonable suspicion, the detention is illegal and any evidence they obtain may be excluded at trial. For more information on police stops, click here.
Do the same rules apply to police stops while driving?
The police have the power to stop your vehicle to investigate your licence, insurance, registration, and the safety of your vehicle. However, your Charter rights apply to you and to anyone else in your car when the police officer pulls you over while driving. For more information on police stops, click here.
What is an assault?
An assault is any intentional, non-consensual contact on another person. An assault can range from an argument at home to a fight at the bar to an assault causing death or murder. Even a raised fist or physical gesture can be an assault.
What is a sexual assault?
At its core, a sexual assault is any non-consensual sexual touching. It can range from touching a buttock to intercourse. If you are being investigated for sexual assault, it is important to call an experienced criminal lawyer immediately.
No matter the facts of the case, sexual assault allegations – let alone charges – have serious consequences for an accused person. If you are being investigated for or have been charged with a sexual assault or a related offence, we strongly recommended that you contact an experienced criminal defence lawyer to protect your interests throughout the process.
The police took my stuff. How long can they keep it for?
The police can seize items for 90 days. If no charges are laid, the police will need to seek your consent or judicial authorization to detain the items for longer than 90 days.
I am charged with driving while impaired and driving over 80. What does this mean?
Driving while impaired and driving over 80 are commonly charged when a person is alleged to have been drinking and driving. They are different offences. It is possible for someone to drive over 80 without being impaired. Similarly, it is possible for someone to drive while impaired without being over 80.
Driving over 80 requires evidence that your blood alcohol content was over 80mgs% per 100mL of blood. This is often proven by a breath or blood sample. In cases involving drugs, a urine sample may be used.
In contrast, driving while impaired requires evidence that the person’s ability to drive was impaired to any degree. The following are some observations that may establish impairment:
- a marked departure from normal driving;
- bloodshot or watery eyes;
- a flushed face;
- the odour of an alcoholic beverage;
- slurred speech;
- a lack of coordination;
- a lack of comprehension; and
- inappropriate behaviour.
The court will assess the totality of the symptoms in determining if someone is impaired.
What is dangerous driving?
Dangerous driving is driving that is a marked departure from a reasonable prudent person (like a judge). It is determined on a case-by-case basis with regard to all the circumstances. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some examples of dangerous driving:
- Driving at a high rate of speed through a red light.
- Driving on a busy highway at night with a blood alcohol content of 50mgs% per 100mL of blood while extremely tired.
- Seizing the wheel of a motor vehicle that is being properly driven.
In some cases, driving at a high rate of speed alone is dangerous driving.
I am charged with theft and fraud. What does this mean?
Theft and fraud are two related but different offences. They are often charged together when something has been stolen.
Theft is taking the property of another without consent and with an intent to deprive the owner of the value or use of that thing. In contrast, fraud is an intentional and false representation of a matter of fact in order to secure a benefit or to materially damage another person.
One key difference is that theft involves the act of taking, whereas fraud is a false representation. For example, if you take someone else’s money without their consent, that is theft. If you tell someone to lend you money and you will pay them back when you do not intend to pay them back, the act of lying and deceiving can be fraudulent.
If you need legal assistance, give us a call or simply text us your police, court or driving documents to our respective text line.
Criminal Law
- Surveillance
- Confidential informants
- Wiretaps
- Undercover officers
- Trafficking devices
Aug 12, 2016
Our Head Office has Moved!
Filkow Law is pleased to announce as of August 15, our new head office is located at 510-450 SW Marine Drive in Vancouver. Our new office is on the Marine Drive Canada Line station. Extensive metered and underground parking is also available.
Our new and larger office location allows us to provide additional services to all of our clients.
In addition to its excellent daily trial practice in criminal, driving and personal injury law, Filkow Law has expanded to include new lawyers practicing in the areas of car accidents, ICBC breaches, family law, customs and border cases and other litigation matters.
Filkow Law will continue to provide legal services out of our offices in Richmond, Surrey and Kelowna.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any assistance at 604-558-8778. We look forward to seeing and serving you at our new Vancouver location.
Jun 24, 2016
Voted Richmond’s Best Lawyer
Filkow Law has the pleasure of being voted 2016 Richmond’s Best Law Firm. Filkow Law has been serving a diverse community in the Richmond area for over 20 years. Lawyers and staff at the firm speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Russian, French, Serbian, Polish and German. The lawyers at Filkow Law specialize in criminal charges, driving cases, and ICBC cases.
Filkow Law is a highly regarded law firm with over 25 years of experience.
Filkow Law looks forward to continuing to deliver excellent outcomes for its clients. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the lawyers at the firm at 604-558-8778
Apr 22, 2016
The Right Drug Defence
A drug conviction can have lifelong implications.
Drug related offences, particularly trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking, are some of the most heavily resourced police files. Police receive extensive training and are provided unlimited resources to utilize a variety of investigative techniques for drug cases. Some of these techniques include:
The accused is often faced with a large amount of evidence against him/her. The drug case looks bad and the penalties and implications can be very serious.
Why You Need A Lawyer For A Drug-Related Offence
As drug cases have many layers, a wide variety of legal issues arise. It is important to go through all the evidence with a fine tooth comb and flush out the different issues.
Drug cases require strong preparation, excellent strategy, and more importantly, the right lawyer and legal team.
We have recently achieved some remarkable results for our clients with drug charges. Our extensive experience on drug cases has allowed us to develop specialized knowledge and a specific approach to handling these types of complex cases.