Legal Trouble? Your First Steps Can Make or Break Your Case

Four things you should do if you're facing criminal accusations

Legal trouble can be unexpected and overwhelming. Whether you’re innocent or not, the actions you take in the earliest moments can determine the outcome of your case. In my career, I’ve seen how advice I’ve given at the very start of a case has gone on to form the basis of a successful argument to have that case thrown out of court.

Here are four things you should do if you find yourself in trouble:

Call Your Lawyer Immediately—Before Speaking to Police

Your first move should always be to contact a lawyer, ideally before any interaction with police, even just after an incident has occurred (after any needed emergency services have been called). Gladiator is available 24/7 for emergency calls from criminal defense clients, to guide you through what to say and what not to say to protect your rights from the start. Police don’t wait for office hours and neither should you.

Stay Silent, Even If You’re Innocent

It’s tempting to explain yourself to the police, especially if you believe you’ve done nothing wrong. But here’s the reality: almost every criminal defense client I’ve represented said something to the police or someone else they later regretted. This is why you should not discuss the accusations or your case with anyone else either, even family members can be made to testify. Innocent or not, your words can be misinterpreted or used against you in court. Politely decline to answer questions until your lawyer is present, and refrain from discussing your case except with your lawyer.

Document and Preserve Evidence

Record every detail you can—write down what happened, who was involved, and what was said while your memory is as fresh as possible. Do this again after every interaction with police. These notes can be invaluable to building a strong defense. Try to consider what evidence may be used against you and then gather and preserve countering evidence. For example, gather contact details for any witnesses who will support your side of the story and provide these to your lawyer.

Request Disclosure as Soon as Possible

Ask your lawyer to request disclosure from the authorities quickly. This process provides access to the evidence against you, allowing your lawyer to assess the case, negotiate a deal, or even get charges dropped before you face fingerprinting, court appearances, or other stressful steps. Early action can also save you on legal fees by avoiding expensive court appearances. Gladiator helps make costs predictable by offering a flat rate of $875 + disbursements for everything up to and including your first appearance, including disclosure review, legal advice, and negotiations with the Crown.

If you or someone you know is in legal trouble, act fast and contact Gladiator for guidance and representation!