The lawyer for a Canadian woman jailed in Mexico said Monday that he is "pretty confident" his client will be freed this week.

The judge is expected to hand down a verdict on Brenda Martin's money-laundering charges Tuesday.

Brenda Martin has spent two years in a Mexican jail.
(CBC)

Guillermo Cruz Rico, Martin's Toronto lawyer, speaking from Guadalajara told CBC News that he expected a verdict of not guilty.

"I'm pretty confident that we made a good job and also that the prosecutor didn't prove before the judge that Brenda was involved in any criminal activity."

Additionally, he said didn't expect any further delays in the judgment, which was initially expected Friday. Under Mexican law, the sentencing and verdict are delivered at the same time.

"If she's found not guilty, it means that Brenda could be considered a free person and she could be able to walk out of the prison," Cruz Rico said, adding that if she was found guilty, she could either appeal the decision or ask to be transferred to Canada.

If found guilty, Martin could be sentenced to between five and 15 years.

Martin's friends and family have previously indicated that in the case of a guilty verdict, she would request to be transferred, as an appeal would require her to remain in a Mexican jail.

Cruz Rico said that he had spoken with Mexican and Canadian officials about the possibility of a transfer.

The 51-year-old Trenton, Ont., woman is accused of being part of a $60-million internet fraud scheme run by Canadian Alyn Waage, who was convicted of fraud in 2006. He is serving a 10-year jail term in a U.S. prison.

Martin insists she is innocent and worked for Waage only as a chef. Waage has testified Martin was unaware of his activities.

The nature of Mexico's justice system, which does not include oral trials and puts the onus on the accused to prove his or her innocence rather than on the prosecution to prove guilt, means Martin must wait out the legal process in prison alongside both convicted criminals and others, like her, who have yet to be found guilty of any crime.

Martin's family and friends say imprisonment has taken its toll on Martin, leaving her depressed, heavily sedated and on 24-hour suicide watch in Puente Grande women's prison near Guadalajara.