Meet your Criminal Defence Lawyer

If a resolution does not serve her client’s best interests, Ms. Cheema is prepared to advocate in court to ensure their rights remain fully protected.

As a Canadian of Indian descent, Ms. Cheema brings a deep sensitivity to the challenges individuals may face in a new country, particularly when confronted with criminal charges. She understands the additional stress these proceedings can create for individuals and their families. She often reassures her clients that she will shoulder the legal burden so they can focus on their work, family, and well-being. Fluent in Punjabi and Hindi, she ensures her clients fully understand the evidence against them and the legal options available. In criminal law, clarity matters—because a single misunderstood word can affect the course of a case.

Ms. Cheema’s background in journalism provides her with a unique perspective on public institutions and decision-making processes. It sharpened her ability to investigate thoroughly, question official narratives, and listen carefully to overlooked details. She brings that same disciplined and thoughtful approach to her defence practice, ensuring her clients’ voices are heard where it matters most—the courtroom.

As an Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) lawyer, Ms. Cheema has represented numerous Albertans navigating the administrative penalty process. Some of her most meaningful successes have come in cases that did not appear straightforward—where the grounds to cancel a Notice of Administrative Penalty were not obvious, and the prospects seemed uncertain. In those matters, clients placed their trust in her, and through careful preparation and creative legal argument, she was able to secure successful outcomes, including decisions reached on unique grounds. Despite the legal constraints of the administrative adjudication system, Ms. Cheema remains committed to upholding the integrity of the law and the protections guaranteed under the Charter in every case.

As a criminal defence lawyer, Ms. Cheema considers it her foremost duty to protect her clients’ rights at every stage of the process. In IRS matters, she recognizes that the administrative regime places the burden on the individual to challenge a Notice of Administrative Penalty and establish their case on a balance of probabilities. She guides her clients through that process with care and diligence, helping them meet that burden.

Early in her career, Ms. Cheema was involved in a case requiring her to address serious concerns about her client’s Charter rights in dealings with the Calgary Police Service during the pre-charge stage. Following those concerns being raised, the criminal investigation was discontinued. Her client was later issued a provincial Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS), which Ms. Cheema successfully challenged.

Her interest in Charter litigation has continued throughout her practice. In a subsequent case, she argued that her client maintained a reasonable expectation of privacy in a lost cellular phone that was unlocked and had never been reported stolen. The court agreed. The decision was later cited in the Police Powers Newsletter, published by Thomson Reuters.

These experiences have shaped Ms. Cheema’s approach to criminal defence. She understands that each case carries significant consequences for the person involved. Once retained, she walks alongside her clients throughout the process, providing steady guidance and thoughtful advocacy. She is consistent, diligent, and committed to working toward a fair and just resolution in every file.