- What is Criminal Law?
Criminal Law deals with criminal offenses under the Criminal Code of Canada, or with various Provincial offenses. Some areas in which Criminal Defense Lawyers deal with are:
- Breaking and Entering
- Domestic and Sexual Assault
- Drug Related Offenses
- Fraud
- Impaired Driving
- Internet Related Charges
- Murder/Homicide/ Manslaughter
- Robbery
- Theft
- Weapons Offenses
- Young Offender cases
- When should I call a criminal lawyer?
If you think you may have done something illegal but are unsure of the consequences, don't wait for the police to get involved. Consulting with an experienced criminal lawyer early on could save you thousands of dollars and prevent a charge from ever being laid. Even if charges do eventually come, you will be prepared and will have preserved all the evidence you need to prove your innocence.
- Why should I hire a lawyer? Can't I just represent myself?
Canada's criminal law code is very complicated. Just as you wouldn't consider performing heart surgery on yourself, you should entrust a criminal law matter to an experienced criminal lawyer with expertise in the area you need.
- Wouldn't it be cheaper to hire a non-criminal lawyer to represent me?
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you may want to ask yourself whether saving money is the appropriate priority. You should also consider that many lawyers bill by the hour, so every minute they spend on your case costs you money. An experienced criminal lawyer will likely be able to take much less time than someone not familiar with the complicated ins and outs of criminal law. Hiring a lawyer with the right experience and background will provide a tremendous advantage to successfully defend you against any criminal charges, and it will save you time and money in the long run.
- I know I'm not getting a jail sentence, so why should I worry if I get convicted?
You never know what a sentence will be. Consequences of a criminal record can be very serious. A criminal conviction can bar you from many fields of employment or cause you to lose your current job. It can prevent you from traveling to certain countries, (including the United States). Finally a criminal record could have extremely serious immigration consequences if you are not a Canadian citizen.
