Heighton Law
Waterloo Region
One of 105 law firms listed in Kitchener, and one of 27 handling Criminal Defence.
Free consultation
Free consultationAbout Heighton Law
Heighton Law is a criminal defence practice in downtown Kitchener, in the heart of Waterloo Region. The firm sums up its work in four words on its home page: criminal trial and appeal counsel. It's the practice of Ryan Heighton, a lawyer licensed in Ontario who took a Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School and concentrated on criminal law there. The path into law was an unusual one. Before law school came two science degrees from Trent University, an honours Bachelor of Science in biology and psychology and a Master of Science in life sciences that involved breast cancer research.
The practice sticks to criminal law rather than spreading across many fields. It handles impaired and dangerous driving, drug offences, domestic and sexual offences, firearms and weapons charges, fraud and theft, break and enter, youth matters, homicide, and criminal appeals. Free consultations are offered to anyone who gets in touch. The firm also describes a culturally sensitive approach for clients of Indigenous heritage, including work with the Gladue principles and a role in the first Indigenous Sentencing Circle held in Waterloo Region.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Ryan Heighton earned a Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School with a focus on criminal law, alongside an honours Bachelor of Science in biology and psychology and a Master of Science in life sciences from Trent University.
- At Osgoode, the founder earned the student prize in the Criminal Law Intensive Programme, which included a placement with the judiciary at a Toronto branch of the Ontario Court of Justice.
- Received the 2015 Trent University Alumni Association Young Leader Award for work in social justice.
- Took part in the first Indigenous Sentencing Circle held in Waterloo Region.
- Member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Waterloo Region Law Association, and the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History.
In the community
- Early in the founder's advocacy career, court work came through Fair Change Community Services, a student-led initiative that helps homeless and street-involved people with their court cases.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentFees & payment
Free consultationLawyers
No individual lawyers listed on the firm site.
The neighbourhood
The office is an upper-floor suite in an office building at 30 Duke Street West, in the core of downtown Kitchener near the Queen Street corner. It's a short move from the firm's earlier ground-floor space a block away on Queen Street North, so the practice has stayed within the same downtown blocks over the years. For a firm whose days are spent in criminal court, the spot is a working one: the Waterloo Region Courthouse at 85 Frederick Street, where both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice sit, is a short walk away.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Heighton Law handle anything besides criminal cases?
- No. The practice is limited to criminal law, which is how the firm describes its approach. That runs from impaired and dangerous driving to drug, domestic, sexual, firearms, fraud, theft, youth, and homicide charges, plus criminal appeals.
- I've been charged with impaired driving in Kitchener. Can the firm help?
- Yes. The firm says it handles impaired driving, dangerous driving, and driving-while-disqualified charges, and a free consultation is the usual first step.
- Does Heighton Law offer free consultations, and how do I book one?
- Yes. The firm offers free consultations to anyone who reaches out. You can call the Kitchener office at 519.744.6551 or use the contact form on the website.
- Can the firm help if I'm Indigenous and want Gladue considered?
- Yes. The firm works with the Gladue principles and describes a culturally sensitive approach for clients of Indigenous heritage. It notes that a person doesn't need status for Indigenous heritage to be weighed in the criminal justice system, and it took part in the first Indigenous Sentencing Circle held in Waterloo Region.
- Where is Heighton Law located?
- The office is at 704-30 Duke Street West in downtown Kitchener, N2H 3W5. It moved there from an earlier space on Queen Street North nearby.
- Does the firm represent young people charged with offences?
- Yes. Youth criminal justice is one of the firm's listed practice areas, covering charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Where to find them
704 - 30 Duke Street West, Kitchener, Ontario N2H 3W5 · 519-744-6551
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