Charges of criminal activity don’t necessarily mean convictions. In some cases, aid from criminal attorneys in Toronto will make a difference in the outcome. That’s why it’s important to retain the services of a legal counsel as soon as you learn of the charges. Here are some of the ways that the attorney will help.
Getting to the Facts
In order to defend you, the attorney will go to great measures to learn all there is to know about the situation. It’s not just the actual charges that interest your legal counsel. Everything leading up to the filing of those charges will also be of interest.
Expect your attorney to delve into the specifics. This will mean talking with anyone who may have insights into what took place. The goal is to gather information that has relevance to the charges and determine how to use that data as part of the defense.
Preparing a Defense
Your attorney will take the lead in determining the structure for the defense. That doesn’t mean you won’t be involved. There will be quite a bit of time spent with your legal counsel. Its not just about ensuring you’re aware of what the attorney plans; the goal is to also keep you up to date on any new information the attorney has uncovered and what it could mean to your case.
Advice on How to Proceed Before and During the Trial
Along with preparing the defense, your criminal attorney is likely to provide some suggestions on how to conduct yourself from the time of the arrest to the end of the trial. That will often involve limiting who you discuss the case with, where you go, and even how you spend your time. The point is to avoid any actions that could complicate the case.
For example, a DUI lawyer may counsel a client to stay away from certain venues until the case is resolved. There’s likely to be a suggestion to not discuss particulars of the case in any public setting. Doing so minimizes the risk of some distorted version of what you said getting back to the prosecution and having to defuse that data during the trial.
Handling the Media
Depending on the nature of the charges, the arrest and pending trial might generate some media attention. Right now, the last thing you need is having to deal with reporters and others who are seeking comments on the upcoming trial. Your lawyer can help with this too.
By referring all inquires to your attorney, it’s easier to ensure that the statements issued to the press remain on topic and don’t wander into areas that may be fuel for speculation. While that may happen anyway, there’s no reason why you should provide some sort of validation by saying something yourself. With your legal counsel handling the press, there’s less of a chance of saying something that could harm rather than help the case.
Don’t waste time when it comes to retaining a criminal lawyer. Call a firm as soon as you learn that charges are pending. Quick action on your part will increase the odds of beating the charges and being able to put the incident behind you with greater ease.
