Sentencing Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide for Criminal Law Practitioners 2025
Program Length
1/2 Day - On Demand
Program Dates
Sentencing Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide for Criminal Law Practitioners 2025
Program Chair
Jason Balgopal
Assistant Crown Attorney, 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.
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
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, 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
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.
A scheduled replay of a past program, with the ability to submit questions.
1 Day
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