
The criminal justice system is complicated, slow, and nobody
explains it to you. Not really.
You might be deciding whether to report. Preparing to give a statement. Waiting for a trial date that keeps moving. Trying to figure out if what happened to you is even a crime.
I'm Sara. Former Crown Prosecutor, now legal consultant for victims and witnesses across Canada. I'll tell you exactly where you stand, what your options are, and what comes next - without the sugarcoating and without the overwhelm.
Every client I work with moves through the same four-stage framework. Not because every situation is the same — they aren't — but because everyone deserves the same standard of clarity.
We start by making sure you actually understand what happened legally. What the law says. What your options are. What questions you need answered before you can make any decisions at all.
We look honestly at your evidence, your circumstances, and the realistic strengths and challenges of your situation. I'll tell you where I think you're strong and what worries me. I won't just tell you what you want to hear.
We build a plan that fits your situation, your values, and your capacity. That might mean reporting. It might mean not reporting. It might mean something in between. Strategy means choosing the path you can actually follow through on.
You leave knowing your rights, your options, and your risks — and with the ability to make a decision you can live with. Whatever you decide, it belongs to you.
No. You have the right to give a statement to police without a lawyer present. But understanding what investigators are looking for — and how your statement will be used — before you walk into that room can make a significant difference. That's exactly what I help with.
Yes — and honestly, this is one of the most valuable times to reach out. You don't have to have made a decision to work with me. Most clients come to me specifically because they're trying to figure out what reporting would actually look like before committing to anything.
That's one of the most common reasons people contact me. The line between "this felt wrong" and "this was illegal" isn't always obvious — especially when it involves someone you know, trusted, or loved. I can help you understand what the law actually says and where your situation fits.
No. You don't need physical evidence, witnesses, or a perfect memory to make a report. What matters, and how evidence is assessed, is something I can walk you through in detail — including what you might have that you haven't thought of yet.
Reporting triggers an investigation process that can feel confusing and unpredictable if nobody explains it to you. It typically involves a formal recorded statement, potentially a medical exam, an investigation period, and a Crown decision about whether to lay charges. I help clients understand every stage before they get there.
Criminal harassment under the Criminal Code includes repeated unwanted contact, following or watching someone, showing up where someone is, and conduct that causes them to fear for their safety. It doesn't require physical contact. It doesn't require a threat. If someone's behaviour is making you change how you live your life out of fear — that's worth talking about.
Delayed reporting is extremely common and does not automatically weaken a case. There are well-documented psychological reasons why survivors don't report immediately — reasons the courts are increasingly required to consider. I can give you an honest picture of how delay might be assessed in your specific situation.
Yes. Everything you share with me is confidential. I don't share your information with police, Crown, your family, or anyone else without your explicit direction. The only exceptions are the standard legal limits that apply to all legal professionals.
Yes. I'm based in Calgary but work remotely with clients across Canada. Most of my consultations happen by phone or video — which works well for this kind of work.
I don't represent you in court and I don't act as your counsel in legal proceedings. What I do is help you understand the system, prepare for every interaction with it, and make informed decisions about your options — before, during, and after a case. Think of it as having someone on your side who knows the system from the inside and will tell you the truth about it.