Franklin Lyons Criminal Defence
2 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
Virtual appointments
Accepts Legal AidVirtual appointmentsAbout Franklin Lyons Criminal Defence
Franklin Lyons Criminal Defence is a Toronto based law firm that focuses exclusively on criminal defence work, representing clients from the point of arrest through to trial. Founding partner Franklin Lyons was called to the Ontario bar in 2008 and worked as an Assistant Crown Attorney before starting the firm. Associate Eli White earned a Juris Doctor from Queen's University's Faculty of Law and focuses on litigation. The firm accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates and is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association.
The firm handles a full range of criminal charges, from drug and firearm offences to assault, fraud, sexual assault allegations, and impaired driving and other Highway Traffic Act matters. Franklin Lyons has completed over 300 trials, defending clients against charges ranging from theft to murder, and one of the firm's lawyers is approved by Legal Aid Ontario to take on extremely serious matters and Gladue submissions. The firm describes itself as trial and appellate lawyers who appear regularly in Ontario courts, including Toronto, Brampton, Newmarket, Peterborough, and Oshawa.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founding partner Franklin Lyons was called to the Ontario bar in 2008, after working as an Assistant Crown Attorney.
- Lyons has completed over 300 trials, defending clients against charges ranging from theft to murder.
- One of the firm's lawyers is on Legal Aid Ontario's roster for extremely serious matters and Gladue submissions, in addition to general criminal matters.
- The firm is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association.
- Case results the firm points to include an acquittal after a jury trial in R. v. Poyser (2017 ONSC 1884), a discharge after a preliminary inquiry in R. v. Handule (2016 ONCJ 883), and a sentence of six months where the Crown had sought five years in R. v. Rile (2016 ONSC 7991).
- In R. v. A.M. (2020 ONSC 1846 and 2020 ONSC 4541), the firm successfully argued for the defence's ability to rely on the complainant's WhatsApp messages at trial.
Good to know
LGBTQ+ friendly
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesFees & payment
Legal aidLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2008 · median 18 years in practice 1 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- Queen's University 1 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The office is on King Street East in downtown Toronto, close to the King subway station and the Jarvis streetcar stop, with parking available nearby. The firm's practice isn't confined to Toronto: its lawyers also appear regularly in courts in Brampton, Newmarket, Peterborough, and Oshawa, so an office that's easy to reach by transit works for clients coming in from across the region as well as those downtown.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Franklin Lyons Criminal Defence accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates?
- Yes. The firm accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates, and one of its lawyers is also on Legal Aid Ontario's roster for extremely serious matters and Gladue submissions.
- What parts of Ontario does the firm cover?
- The firm is based in Toronto, but its lawyers appear regularly in courts in Brampton, Newmarket, Peterborough, Oshawa, and elsewhere in the province.
- I've been charged with a drug offence in Toronto, can the firm help?
- Yes. The firm's FAQ page notes that facing charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act calls for a defence lawyer who understands your rights and how to challenge the evidence, and its practice covers drug possession, trafficking, and conspiracy charges.
- Does the firm handle serious charges like sexual assault or firearms offences?
- Yes. Its listed practice areas include sexual assault, firearms offences, human trafficking, and assault, and one of its lawyers is approved by Legal Aid Ontario for extremely serious matters.
- Can the firm represent me for an impaired driving or Highway Traffic Act charge?
- Yes, impaired driving and other Highway Traffic Act offences are among the firm's listed practice areas.
- How do I get started with the firm?
- Prospective clients fill out an application form on the firm's website, and the firm follows up from there.
Where to find them
144 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G8 · 416-519-6670
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Criminal DefenceLegal AidListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗