Hintsa Law
1 lawyer · Wellington County (Guelph)
One of 53 law firms listed in Guelph, and one of 15 handling Criminal Defence.
About Hintsa Law
Hintsa Law is a criminal defence practice based in Guelph, Ontario. It's the solo practice of Ranney Hintsa, a barrister who has run a sole practice since 2004 and opened the Guelph office in 2006. The firm defends people facing Criminal Code and drug charges across Guelph, Wellington County, the Waterloo Region, Milton, and other parts of southwestern Ontario. That work runs from assault, robbery, fraud, weapons, and impaired driving charges through to fitness-to-stand-trial hearings, and it covers adult, youth, Indigenous, and mental-health matters.
The founder came to law after earlier careers as a licensed stockbroker and an information systems analyst, and before being called to the bar worked at the Crown Law Office (Criminal), designing litigation case management systems for major criminal cases. The practice describes a creative, multi-disciplinary approach that draws on that background. Before settling in Guelph, the founder first practised in Toronto, having lived there for thirty years. A phone line stays open for arrest calls at any hour, and the firm offers a free initial consultation.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Ranney Hintsa has been a sole practitioner since 2004 and opened the Guelph practice in 2006.
- Ranney Hintsa is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association and the Wellington Law Association.
In the community
- Ranney Hintsa has served on the regional Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee, which works on how the justice system responds to people with mental illness.
- Ranney Hintsa has served on the Criminal Lawyers' Association Mental Health Sub-Committee.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentWho handles what
The neighbourhood
Guelph is the seat of Wellington County, and its two main criminal courts sit downtown within a few blocks of each other. The Ontario Court of Justice hears most day-to-day criminal matters at 36 Wyndham Street South, while the Superior Court of Justice takes the more serious cases nearby at 74 Woolwich Street. A criminal practice based here works between those two courthouses. Hintsa Law's reach doesn't stop at the city limits, though. The practice carries files across Wellington County, into the Waterloo Region, and out to Milton and other parts of southwestern Ontario, so a client isn't tied to the Guelph docket alone.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with a criminal offence in Guelph. Can Hintsa Law help?
- Yes. Hintsa Law is a Guelph criminal defence practice that handles Criminal Code and drug charges, including assault, robbery, fraud, weapons, and impaired driving matters. You can start with a free initial consultation.
- Does the firm represent young people and clients dealing with mental-health issues?
- Yes. Hintsa Law acts for adults, youth, and Indigenous accused, and for people facing mental-health matters in the justice system, including fitness-to-stand-trial hearings.
- A family member was just arrested overnight. Can I reach a lawyer right away?
- Yes. Hintsa Law keeps a phone line open for arrest calls at any hour, at 519-767-5357.
- How are fees handled, and is Legal Aid an option?
- Fees depend on the charge and the work involved, and are set either by the hour or as a flat or block rate, with an estimate given at the free consultation. Legal Aid Ontario may cover clients who qualify financially and face possible jail.
- Which communities does the firm serve besides Guelph?
- The practice takes matters in Guelph, Wellington County, the Waterloo Region, Milton, and other parts of southwestern Ontario.
- How long has Hintsa Law been in Guelph?
- The practice opened in Guelph in 2006. Ranney Hintsa has worked as a sole practitioner since 2004 and first practised in Toronto before relocating.
Where to find them
P.O. Box 1144, Guelph, Ontario N1H 6N3 · 519-767-5357
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Notary & Commissioner ServicesLegal AidListing compiled from the firm’s public website in July 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗