Going to meet a criminal defence lawyer can be daunting. This article discusses some of the ways you can prepare for your initial consultation with a criminal defence lawyer.
Identification
The Law Society of Alberta requires that lawyers verify the identity of their clients. Therefore, it is useful if you bring government-issued photo identification to your appointment.
Any documentation the police gave you when you were arrested
If you are charged with a criminal offence, the police will likely provide you a number of documents. It is useful to bring these documents to your meeting with a lawyer, as they will say what you are charged with, your next court appearance, and what release conditions you are under. Sometimes, you may be served “notice” of certain provisions under the Criminal Code relating to the sentencing or evidence.
A written version of events
There are two sides to every story, and memory can fade over time. It can be useful to your criminal defence lawyer to know exactly what happened from your perspective. Therefore, if you have time, it is useful to bring a written record of what happened to assist you in refreshing your memory.
If another person witnessed the events that led to you being criminally charged, it is also helpful to bring that person’s name and contact information.
Supporting documentation
If you are charged with sexual assault, or an offence against an intimate partner, it will be useful for you to bring documentation of your relationship with the other person. This can include text message exchanges, social media posts, videos, or other documentation relating to your present charges.
Do not email this material to the lawyer before your meeting unless requested. There are many strategic reasons a lawyer might want or not want to have possession of this type of material, and they will need to meet with you before making that decision. However, it is very important that you preserve this material so that it is available if needed.
Support people
Meeting with a criminal defence lawyer for the first time can be very anxiety inducing, so if you need a support person, feel free to bring them to your appointment. The lawyer you are meeting will likely ask your support person to step outside for part or all of your meeting.
It is important to be candid with your lawyer, and sometimes this can be difficult with loved ones or family members present. Even before you formally retain a lawyer (sign an agreement and pay a fee), your communications with a lawyer are confidential. However, if a third party is present, they do not have the same obligation to keep the information you share confidential. Therefore, there are some situations where a lawyer might advise you to meet with them alone.
Translator
If you are not confident in your ability to communicate in English, it would be useful for you to arrange to bring a trusted friend or family member with you who can translate. It is important to have clear communication with your criminal defence lawyer so that they can give you accurate legal advice tailored to your situation that you can understand.
List of questions
It can be overwhelming to meet with a criminal lawyer, and in the moment you might forget some of the questions you had. Therefore, it can be useful to think through what questions you have before your meeting and write them down to make sure you get all the answers you need.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
A lawyer at Pringle Law can answer your questions and give you advice about your charges. Contact us to book a consultation.
