Judgment-freerepresentation.
Founded by Cassandra DeMelo in 2014 — and now fourteen strong — defending individuals across London and Southwestern Ontario with expertise, discretion, and class.
Best Lawyers®
2026 & 2027
Criminal Defence — Cassandra DeMelo
Defence that leads with humanity
Cassandra DeMelo founded the firm in 2014 to ensure that all individuals across London and Southwestern Ontario are represented fairly before the courts. Katie Heathcote joined her in partnership in 2022 — bringing her expertise, passion, and shared values to the firm.
Regardless of the complexity of your charge, you can be assured of discreet representation, handled with class — and free of judgment. From bail hearings to the Supreme Court of Canada, you will be met where you are, and defended without reservation.
- 2014
- Founded in London
- 14
- Team members
- 4
- Languages spoken
The DeMelo Heathcote office — 275 Colborne St, London
Recognized where it counts
Independent recognition for the calibre of our defence work — and our commitment to access to justice.
How we can help
When you need a criminal defence lawyer in London or anywhere in Southwestern Ontario, we have the expertise — and the connections — to put the best possible resources in your corner.
Criminal Code Offences
From first appearance to verdict — a full defence for charges under the Criminal Code.
Assault · Sexual Assault · Domestic charges, including harassment and uttering threats · Impaired driving / Over 80 (“DUI”) · Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample · Dangerous Driving · Fraud · Theft · Break and Enter · + 7 more
Drug Offences
Charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, defended at every stage.
Possession · Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking · Trafficking · Production · Importation
Provincial & Municipal Offences
Representation for regulatory and by-law matters, including:
Highway Traffic Act · Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act · Liquor Licence Act · City By-Laws
Appeals
Experienced appellate counsel — up to and including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Bail Review Hearings · Divisional Court · Superior Court of Justice · Ontario Court of Appeal · Supreme Court of Canada
Don’t see your charge? Call us to confirm we can still help.
What our clients say
Rated five stars by clients on Google — for compassion, patience, and results when it mattered most.
“From the first phone call, I felt like a person — not a case number. They walked me through every step and fought hard for the best outcome.”
“Professional, compassionate and completely judgment-free. I always knew exactly where my matter stood.”
“They treated my family with patience and respect during the hardest year of our lives. I can’t recommend this team enough.”
Illustrative quotes for this design preview — the live site will feature the firm’s real Google reviews.
Know where you stand
Plain-language explainers on the parts of the justice system that matter most to you and your family.
Duncan Credit
When an accused person is denied bail and they have to wait in custody until their matter is dealt with, this is often called …
Pre-sentence custody and enhanced credit
Pre-sentence custody refers to the period of time an individual spends in jail awaiting the completion of their matters. While some people facing criminal …
The Case for Decarceration
The latest statistics available tell us over 7,400 people were being held in custody in Ontario on average per day. Conditions in jails, including …
Complainant’s Retainer
Most people who think “criminal defence lawyer” think of the lawyer representing the accused. However, we know that complainants (the person who made the …
No judgment. Just defence.
You hope to never need the advice of a criminal defence lawyer. But if you do — you’ll be glad you called us.