If you’re facing a criminal trial, then it’s probably a very distressing time for you, especially if it’s your first time around. However, Canadian law ensures that the presumption of innocence is preserved, and the prosecutor is responsible for presenting a case and proving it without a shadow of a doubt. This is why it is important that you do not give them more ammunition to prove your case and do everything you can to help it. Here are some of the things you and your lawyer should and should not do while handling your case.
Do: Work with a Seasoned Lawyer
The Toronto criminal lawyer and law firm you pick will make a huge difference in your case. Ideally, you want a criminal lawyer with multiple years in the business representing criminal defence clients.
A lawyer like David Cohn, for instance, has a solid reputation for representing clients for over 30 years as a criminal lawyer Toronto. This is a sign of a lawyer that is not only competent but won’t hesitate to go all the way if they either feel like a plea deal is not good enough or if they feel your lawyer can cast enough doubt on the prosecution to exonerate you. So that’s the first step in making sure that you get the best result possible.
Don’t: Voluntarily Disclose Information
During and after the arrest, what you should never do is provide gratuitous info to any officer. When they say that everything you say can and will be used against you, they aren’t lying. So, make sure that you keep any communication to a minimum and ideally have a criminal lawyer present for any type of questioning.
Do: Be Aware of Your Online Posts
If you have a pending trial date, your lawyer should warn you it’s essential that you watch what you say online. As a matter of fact, it would be a better idea if you refrained from using social media completely during this time. Anything you say could be used in your case, even if it looks innocent or like it could help you. Not only that, but investigators and the police can also use this information to track your whereabouts and disprove your accounts.
Don’t: Be Belligerent or Defiant in the Courtroom
When you’re on trial, your behaviour and presentation in court will have an effect on how you’ll be perceived and treated by your lawyer and the prosecuting lawyer. So, it’s important that you remain polite to all the staff involved, including the judge. Being too belligerent with the judge could end up costing you. They could also consider holding you in contempt, which will only make matters worse for your case.
Do: Explore Your Options
Plea deals often get a bad rap, but there are cases that are simply not defensible in court. In this case, it would be wise to be open to all the legal options open to you. Speak with your Toronto criminal lawyer and ask for the details of the deal. Also, you could consider options like unsupervised or supervised probation. Your criminal lawyer should be able to break these down for you and advise whether it would be a good choice depending on your situation.
Conclusion
Criminal defence cases are very serious, which is why you have to come prepared. Make sure that you follow these few tips and work with a Toronto criminal lawyer who is ready to move heaven and earth for you.
