Sentencing Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide for Criminal Law Practitioners
Program Length
1 Day
Program Dates
Online (Live)
Learn with peers in real-time online environment.
Online (Live)
Learn with peers in real-time online environment.
Online (Replay)
A scheduled replay of a past program, with the ability to submit questions.
Sentencing Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide for Criminal Law Practitioners
Program Chair
Jason Balgopal
Assistant Crown Attorney, Scarborough Crown Attorney’s Office, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
At sentencing, your submissions are critical. If they are not well-crafted and persuasive, the consequences can be severe.
This new program will explore all the key components of the sentencing phase and provide you with effective tips and best practices on making effective submissions.
Led by a distinguished faculty of seasoned Crown Attorneys, defence counsel, and judges, this intensive program is designed to sharpen your advocacy skills and equip you with practical tools, proven strategies and established best practices. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or newly called to the bar, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to advocate effectively at one of the most critical stages of a criminal proceeding.
Participants who register for the full-day option will also gain access to our unique sentencing submissions workshop. Working in small groups, you’ll deliver sentencing submissions before a judge and receive personalized feedback from a team of experienced facilitators, including both Crown Attorneys and defence lawyers.
Can’t Make the Date? Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program (morning session only).
What You’ll Learn
Negotiation strategies (how to approach, restrictions on counsel to negotiate freely)
Preparing effective sentencing submissions
Types of sentences (suspended, conditional, etc.)
Suspended sentence vs. 1 further day custody: Why do this?
Prison vs. penitentiary sentence (when is probation possible?)
Discharges
Collateral consequences (immigration, employment and volunteering issues, driving prohibitions and restrictions, family and civil litigation consequences)
Identifying aggravating and mitigating factors on sentencing
The effects of a joint submission
Who Should Attend
Lawyers
Paralegals
Faculty
Program Chair
Jason Balgopal
Assistant Crown Attorney, Scarborough Crown Attorney’s Office, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Instructors
Julianna Greenspan
Greenspan Partners LLP
The Hon. Justice Aston Hall
Associate Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice
Steven King, King Law
“A very good program. The workshops on cross examination and sentencing submissions were particularly strong due to their practical and interactive format. The faculty were very experienced, engaging and encouraging.”
Agenda
9:00 a.m. Welcome & Introduction from the Program Chair
Jason Balgopal, Assistant Crown Attorney, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
9:15 a.m. Sentencing Essentials and Practical Strategies
Negotiation Strategies:
How to approach negotiations
Restrictions on counsel’s ability to negotiate freely
Plea Comprehension:
Importance of conducting a thorough plea comprehension
Consequences of failing to do it properly
Collateral Consequences:
Immigration implications
Employment and volunteer restrictions
Driving prohibitions
Family and civil litigation repercussions
Acknowledgment of Facts:
Guilty pleas
Peace bonds
Withdrawals
Types of Sentence:
Suspended Sentence vs. Conditional Sentence: Key differences
Suspended Sentence vs. Nominal Fine: When and why to choose each
Suspended Sentence vs. One Further Day of Custody: Strategic considerations
Prison vs. Penitentiary Sentence (2 years minus a day vs. 2 years or more): Impact on probation eligibility
Discharges
Ancillary Orders:
DNA Orders
SOIRA (Sex Offender Information Registration Act)
Section 161 Orders
Weapons Prohibitions
Restitution
Forfeiture
Factors Affecting Sentencing:
Aboriginal status
Age and health
Pre-trial custody (PTC)
Other mitigating or aggravating factors
Jason Balgopal, Assistant Crown Attorney, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Julianna Greenspan, Greenspan Partners LLP
10:30 a.m. The Effects of a Joint Submission
What does it mean to the client and the Crown?
What is the Judge’s role?
Jason Balgopal, Assistant Crown Attorney, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Julianna Greenspan, Greenspan Partners LLP
Practical factors (e.g., calculating an effective release date)
Advocacy tips for persuasive and impactful submissions
Jason Balgopal, Assistant Crown Attorney, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Julianna Greenspan, Greenspan Partners LLP
11:45 a.m. Demonstration and Q&A
Our expert faculty will lead a demonstration of a sentencing proceeding featuring contested submissions, followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Jason Balgopal, Assistant Crown Attorney, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Julianna Greenspan, Greenspan Partners LLP
Justice Aston Hall, Associate Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice
12:30 p.m. Lunch Break
(Program ends for those only in the morning sessions)
1:30 p.m. Sentencing Submissions Workshop (optional, separate registration is required)
This intensive, hands-on workshop offers a valuable opportunity to sharpen your advocacy skills through personalized feedback from experienced judges, Crown Attorneys, and defence counsel. Working with a realistic criminal case scenario, you’ll join a small group to participate in a sentencing hearing. You’ll deliver submissions and receive individualized feedback from instructors. You’ll leave equipped with practical strategies and the confidence to apply them in your next sentencing submission. NOTE: There will be a 15-minute break during this session.
Please note: This is a replay of the morning sessions option only (9:00am-12:30pm)
$249 + TAX
Time
Dec 4, 2025 9:00 a.m – 12:30 a.m (ET)
Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time prior to the start date of the program. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 14 days prior to the start of the program. If a cancellation request is made with less than 14 days notice, an administrative fee equal to 20% of the program cost, to a maximum of $250 will apply per person. Payment is required to receive access to the program.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
“Very well put together with meaningful interactions between faculty and attendees. Using some of the new strategies I learned, I successfully negotiated an absolute discharge for my client during a judicial pre-trial. Thank you!”
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
Watch a recording of a past program on your own schedule.
1 Half Day – On Demand
You may also be interested in…
Deeper Learning Opportunities
LLMs
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Stay competitive with deep dives into the most critical issues in law. Taught by leading experts and designed for flexible learning, choose from multi-day programs or take courses at your own pace to build towards a certificate.
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Unfortunately, no. Effective for all 2019 filings and subsequent years moving forward, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has replaced T2202A’s with the T2202. Under the new CRA definition and criteria, our CLE short courses and certificate programs do not meet the definition of ‘qualifying educational program’. For this reason, we are unable to issue you a T2202. For more information, please visit the CRA site.
Once a program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. This does not guarantee your registration in the program; however, it places you on a priority contact list. If any spots become available, you may be notified by email or phone to confirm if you would like to proceed with the registration. Once contacted, you will typically be given 24 hours to confirm your interest. If you do not confirm interest within the provided timeframe, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person will be contacted.
Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
Access is only for the registered delegate. In the event of misuse, access can be revoked.
CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for OsgoodePD Programs unless specific bursary information appears on the program page/program brochure. Head to our Financial Assistance page for more information.
Please reach out to the OPD Technical Support here.
Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
In Person: Attendance for the program will take place at Osgoode Professional Development (1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2602, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3) unless otherwise specified. Program Materials will be printed and available for pick up upon arrival.
Live Webcast: Designed for busy schedules, attend an online, live webcast using state-of-the-art video-conferencing. Attendance is via live stream with an opportunity to submit questions to the speakers throughout the program. Registration includes downloadable Program Materials and 120-day access to the program archive.
Online Replay: Watch a pre-recorded webcast, which includes a live Q&A with an instructor. Registration includes 120-day access to the program archive.
Program on Demand: Watch a pre-recorded session online, from the comfort of your home or office. Get unlimited access with our online subscription. Registration includes downloadable Program Materials and 120-day access to the program archive.
Unless a program is sold out or otherwise noted, registration closes at 12:00PM (noon) ET the business day before the scheduled program date.
Registration for webinars closes at 10:00 AM ET the morning of the session, unless sold out.
Client and Technical Support
Have questions? Get advice in person, by email or over the phone.
