The client was charged with Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample. The matter proceeded to trial, wherein the charge was dismissed because of my successful argument respecting my client’s inability to provide a breath sample because she has asthma.

The client was charged with Sexual Assault and Uttering Death Threat. The matter proceeded to trial, wherein the charges were dismissed as a result of my successful cross examination of the complainant.

The client was charged with Impaired Driving and Driving with Over 80mgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood. The charges were dismissed after trial, as a result of counsel successfully arguing that there were conflicting dates as to when the incident occurred.

The client was charged with Driving with Over 80mgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood. The charge was dismissed after trial, as a result of counsel successfully arguing that the roadside demand was unlawful.

The client was charged with Assault. The charge was dismissed after trial, as a result of effective cross examination by counsel of the complainant.

The client was charged with Threaten death and Theft Under. The charges were dismissed after trial, as a result of effective cross examination by counsel of the complainant.

The client was charged with three counts of assault and uttering a threat. The charges were dismissed after trial, as a result of effective cross examination of the complainant by counsel.

Hiring a lawyer is a very important decision when facing a legal problem. You need to ask questions that will provide you with real and accurate information you can use when the time comes for you to hire the right lawyer that meets your needs.

What types of cases does your law firm handle?

It is important to hire a lawyer experienced in your type of case. For instance, if you have been charged with a criminal offence, it would be to your benefit to hire a criminal lawyer rather than another type of lawyer such as a personal injury lawyer. Also, some lawyers have focused their practice on specific types of cases such as assaults, murder cases, DUI cases, etc. Choosing a criminal lawyer that has experience representing clients that have faced criminal charges like yours is very advantageous as the lawyer will have a complete understanding of the charges and know how to provide the best possible defence.

If the lawyer you choose does not have trial experience with cases that are similar to yours, the lawyer may miss something that could be very important to your defence. Also, if other lawyers/paralegals from the firm will be working on your case, make sure you ask about their experience.

How long have you practiced criminal law?

History is a good sign of experience. Many criminal law firms will make it known about their combined years of experience. However, you should hear details of the lawyer’s experience firsthand to make sure the lawyer has the experience you need for effective legal representation. Be very wary of promises that he/she can get you off without even reading any of the arrest reports, without looking at all of the discovery, and without talking to the prosecutor about the case.

How do I know if I have a strong case without spending a lot of money?

A lawyer will be able to evaluate the circumstances that resulted in your criminal charge and advise you of the possible outcomes.  Initial consultations are normally provided at a low cost or free of charge. A good lawyer should never pressure you to retain his or her services. In addition, the lawyer should be very open about the costs of representation. Ask the lawyer what rate he/she charges. Is it a flat fee or do they charge on an hourly basis? Also, ask whether the lawyer offers payment plans so you can determine whether the lawyer is willing to work with you and your budget.

Is the lawyer a member of any professional bar associations?

Find out whether the lawyer belongs to any professional bar associations. An attorney’s involvement with professional associations reflects the attorney’s commitment to their area of law.

How long will it take to resolve my case?

The answer will depend on certain factors such as: whether you will go to trial, attempt to have charges dismissed or reduced, or whether you negotiate a plea.

How often will I receive updates about the status of my case?

The lawyer should be able to tell you how he or she and the office operate from the beginning to the conclusion of a case. They should be able to explain to you how the legal process works and who will be working on your case. They should be able to explain who will be contacting you when there is news, the number of times you will meet to discuss your case, and who you can contact when you have a question. Ask how long it normally takes to respond to phone calls. Even if you talk with another person in the office, you should receive timely responses.

Have you ever worked as a prosecutor?

It can be beneficial to have someone defending you who knows what to expect from the prosecutor. Also, former prosecutors generally have more trial experience.

There is a good reason why people charged with a criminal offence almost never enter a guilty plea when they first enter a plea in front of a judge. It is not easy to prosecute a criminal case. It is a Prosecutor’s burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person charged with a crime is guilty. Because criminal convictions come with life-changing and extremely serious consequences, to prevent innocent people from being convicted of a criminal charge, the criminal justice system and its processes contain a strict set of rules and procedures that govern criminal trials in order to protect the rights of those charged with a criminal offence and hopefully assure a ‘just’ outcome.

 When facing a criminal charge, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Until the prosecution proves otherwise, that is, a judge or jury renders a verdict of not guilty, according of the law, you will remain innocent. When you face a criminal charge, you are actually facing an unproven accusation with the burden of proof being the job of the prosecutor. In many cases, there are accusations that have been made that will not be proven. In such cases, charges can be dismissed or the defendant may be found not guilty.

A prosecutor must prove that you are guilty of the charge. In other words, the prosecutor must show you actually committed the crime and you knew you were committing the crime. Charges have been dismissed because a judge found there was no evidence to show a person acted with intent to commit a crime.  For example, if you purchased what you thought was an illegal drug from someone on the street and the police found the item in your pocket and charged you with possession of an illegal substance, but it turns out not to be an illegal drug, the prosecutor would have to prove that you believed you were buying an illegal drug. That is, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt your intent was to buy the illegal drug. In such a case, there may be a number of arguments and evidence put forth to establish reasonable doubt. It can be a complicated task which is why criminal lawyer representation is so important when charged with a crime.

 In criminal cases, sometimes key evidence to prove guilt may be ruled inadmissible and the evidence is not submitted at trial. For evidence to be submitted to the court, it has to have been properly collected. If not collected properly such as the police performing an illegal search and seizure or a confession taken after a person asked for a lawyer, it can be excluded from trial. When this happens, a case could be dismissed, charges reduced, or the defendant may be found not guilty due to lack of evidence. Criminal lawyers are experienced in determining if evidence was collected properly which is why they are so important in the criminal justice system. Without certain key evidence, there may possibly not be a conviction.

 As you can see, if you are charged with a crime, it does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. There are many events that can occur during the course of the criminal process that can be to your benefit. When charged with a crime, never plead guilty without first hiring and talking to a criminal lawyer. Click here for more information.

My client was charged with Assault. The charge was dismissed after trial, because of my effective cross examination of the complainant.