About Whitehorse Law

Straight Talk. Strategic Action.

Luke Faught is a Yukon criminal defence lawyer based out of Whitehorse, operating under the business name - Whitehorse Law. His approach to defending his clients follows a straightforward philosophy: Your rights are not optional.

Luke has the skills, education and experience to give you a powerful legal defence. Let him put them to work for you.

You are in a difficult situation.

If you’re facing criminal charges in the Yukon, you are in a difficult situation. You are instantly pitted against the vast resources of the State, including: high-tech criminal investigation technology; well-resourced police officers, and dedicated and highly-trained Crown Prosecutors.

The consequences can include any combination of the following, depending on the specifics of your charges:

jail time; criminal record, which can impact your ability to travel, work, or volunteer; loss of reputation in your community; driving bans; firearms ownership bans; sex offender registry; fines; and/or probation.

About luke faught

Luke knew he wanted to be a criminal lawyer since a brush with the law as a teenager.

He obtained his Juris Doctor from Queen’s University in 2009. The choice to attend Queen’s was based on its superior reputation for criminal law scholarship, and he had the opportunity to study under nationally-recognized criminal law professors, including Don Stuart and Alan Manson.

In between academic years at Queen’s University, Luke was a summer student working on criminal cases at Queen’s University’s Legal Aid Society, and later in the Crown Prosecutor’s Office in Newmarket Ontario.

In 2009, he accepted articles (a legal apprenticeship) at the prestigious Crown Law Office (Criminal) in Toronto, the central appeals and sensitive prosecutions office of the Ministry of the Attorney General for Ontario. He worked closely with some of Canada’s best prosecutors on complex appeals and trials, observing and absorbing their intellect, abilities, and approach to criminal cases.

After becoming a full lawyer, Luke worked as a Crown Prosecutor in Alberta for 4 years. He prosecuted huge caseloads that ranged in seriousness and complexity from shoplifting to murder.

In 2013, he switched teams and became a criminal defence lawyer, and in 2018 Luke brought his talents to the Yukon Territory. He wanted to help people instead of putting them in jail.

Luke also knew that what he had learned and observed at the various prosecution offices across the country would be a huge advantage to all of his clients.

Among countless other skills, tricks, and shortcuts, working as a prosecutor taught him:

How cases are built (which gave him a unique insight on how they can be pulled down);
How to negotiate effectively with prosecutors; and
How to work “blind spots” and inefficiencies in the legal system to his clients’ benefit.

personal style

A reputation of absolute fearlessness

Luke has worked hard to develop a reputation with Yukon Judges and prosecutors that includes:

absolute fearlessness;
trustworthiness and integrity;
being a straight shooter who gets to the point;
passionate devotion to his clients and their causes.

It’s warm under a dragon’s wing.

As Luke's client, you will find him: compassionate, non-judgmental, plain-spoken, and dedicated only to getting you the best possible outcome.

Luke's resume

Education

Juris Doctor - Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, 2009

Awards: McDougall-Watson award for excellent file work, hard work and determination in serving the objectives of the Queen’s Legal Aid Society (2007)

Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) - University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, 2006

Awards: Dean’s List (2005; 2006); Col. G.E. Sanders award in Western Canadian history (2006)

Work Experience

Summer Law Student, Queen’s Legal Aid, Kingston, ON (2007)
Summer Law Student, Crown Attorney’s Office, Newmarket, ON (2008)
Articling Student, Crown Law Office (Criminal), Toronto, ON (2009)
Crown Prosecutor, Alberta Justice, Calgary and Wetaskiwin, AB (2010-2014)
Criminal Defence Lawyer, Strategic Criminal Defence, Calgary, AB (2014-2018)
Senior Criminal Counsel, Yukon Legal Services Society, Whitehorse, YT (2018-2020)
Criminal Defence and Civil Lawyer, Tucker Carruthers, Whitehorse, YT (2020-2025)

Publications

Book Review: Canadian Justice, Indigenous Injustice: The Gerald Stanley and Colton Boushie Case (Northern Review)
Know Your Rights: anti-harassment protection for Alberta hunters (Alberta Outdoorsmen)
Commentary: Know your rights: Changes to Canada’s criminal driving laws are coming (Yukon News)
Commentary: A look at Yukon’s latest SCAN decision (Yukon News)
Commentary: Know your rights: Yukon’s anti-discrimination laws in housing (Yukon News)

statement of belief

It has been a career highlight and a privilege to fight for clients from all races, political beliefs, national origins, religions, and sexual and gender orientations. These experiences have shaped mypersonal and professional beliefs along the following lines:

The diverse peoples of the Earth are far more alike than different. They want to stay out of trouble, and they care about their reputation in their community. There are very few truly “bad” or “evil” people. Most people who find themselves in legal trouble:

Are dealing with complicated family or social situations;
Exercised bad judgment in a stressful situation; and/or
Are going through mental pain, stress, or addiction;
Were born into dysfunctional families; and/or
Grew up without healthy role models.

STATEMENT OF BELIEF REGARDING ABORIGINAL PEOPLES OF CANAda

As stated above, I believe the diverse peoples of the Earth are far more alike than different. I also believe the historical and ongoing treatment of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) cannot be compared to the experience of any other group, and is Canada’s most enduring political disgrace.

The law from the Supreme Court of Canada is settled that the ongoing overrepresentation and incarceration of Aboriginal Peoples is tied directly to the effects of colonization, and “No one’s history in this country compares to Aboriginal Peoples’”.

(See: R v Ipeelee, 2012 SCC 13 LINK: https://canlii.ca/t/fqq00)

Every Aboriginal client who seeks my help represents an opportunity to help reverse the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal People within the Yukon criminal justice system.

I aspire to provide my services to all Aboriginal Peoples in a culturally sensitive and safe way.