Knowing that you are being investigated for a crime by Canadian law enforcement can be frightening. You can, however, take measures that can help you avoid being accused of any crimes or build a solid defence to counteract the accusations you are facing.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects certain rights for people who have been detained or arrested by police. The evidence acquired during the detention or arrest might not be admissible in court if the police do not respect these rights.
The right to consult with a legal assistance lawyer after being arrested by the police is absolute, so you should definitely use this right.
Hiring a Assault Offence Lawyers in Edmonton with experience is one of the most crucial things you can do in such a situation. Here are some important aspects of how a criminal defence lawyer can assist you in your criminal case during the pre-arrest investigation phase.
Scope Of Investigation
When a crime has occurred, police will occasionally canvas the neighbourhood door to door to see whether anyone witnessed it or heard anything. The issue is that you never know if you are the subject of an investigation when the police knock on your door to ask questions or if they are merely looking for more information.
Even if you are involved or wrongly convicted in a crime like theft or fraud, there is a high chance you can get yourself a worse incarceration if you do not speak to a reliable redit card fraud lawyers. By having a professional lawyer by your side, you can make sure that you are fully aware of the scope of the investigation.
Have Complete Information From The Very Start
It is common for the police and investigators to not be fully transparent in the initial stages of the investigation. They might say that they are looking into someone else as the main culprit to get you to cooperate.
However, the point when you realize that you are the real subject of their inquiry, it can be too late. These issues can be avoided by relying on professional criminal defence lawyers who know all about the different tactics that the investigators can take. Your lawyer ensures that you are not pressurized in such a situation.
Gather Evidence And Conduct A Pre-Arrest Investigation
An exhaustive, independent defence investigation is carried out in case of a criminal case. A criminal defence lawyer will ascertain the truth and gather proof supporting your defence. This can entail hiring a private investigator or getting cell phone records or other documents from other sources.
Moreover, your criminal defence lawyer would interview and prepare any favourable witnesses who would support your defences. Early action can help prevent surprises and build a stronger defence strategy.
Never Lie To The Police
You can face serious consequences if you are found guilty of lying to the police:
- In a criminal trial, your words will be used against you to discredit you.
- Giving a police officer false information is a crime for which you could face charges (even when the same officer lies to you during the investigation).
- You could be prosecuted for obstruction of justice or other crimes if you go further to hide your lies.
However, with the help of an experienced criminal defence lawyer, you can present your case in a way that can avoid incarceration and turn the judge in your favour.
You Could be Arrested Even if You are Innocent
The devil lies in the details. Police require probable cause to make an arrest. Probable cause involves well-grounded facts indicating a crime occurred and that the accused did it.
Investigators are aware that many criminals may delay their initial admission of guilt. The objective of the majority of investigations and interviews is not to get a confession but rather to elicit enough information from a suspect to create a strong case for an arrest. Therefore, it is important for you to have a lawyer by your side from the point the police starts questioning you.
Get Through Investigations
Many people are eager to speak with police without a criminal defence attorney present because they are curious about what is happening and will provide police with any information they require.
The majority of those who are being investigated are understandably terrified. Therefore, they want to help with the inquiry to learn what will happen next. Even for individuals who cooperate, police are not required to disclose details of the current inquiry.
Hence, a criminal defence lawyer will help you tread through these dangerous waters with experience.
You're Unaware of Your Options
A collaborating suspect may be able to reach a settlement to avoid being charged in state or federal white-collar cases for crimes including fraud, theft, or money laundering. But without speaking with a criminal lawyer, you can't tell if you have any relevant knowledge that might be swapped for your freedom. A lawyer can also defend you through proffer, cooperation, and non-prosecution agreements if you plan to divulge information about the crime.
Conclusion
An effective criminal defence lawyer can explain the investigation and offer guidance on what to do before interacting with law officials. The criminal lawyer can help you decide whether to speak with the police or exercise your constitutional rights, which is the most crucial piece of advice. Therefore, it is important to hire a criminal defence lawyer in the pre-arrest investigation phase.
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