Release and first appearance
Bail, conditions, and the first court date. The firm appears with you or on your behalf where the court permits.
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- Criminal defence
Charged, investigated, or simply unsure.
If you have been charged, are being investigated, or need to know your rights before you speak to anyone, call before you say anything else.
What we do
Charges the firm has defended
Criminal charges move quickly at the start: release conditions, first appearances, and disclosure. Early advice protects your options. Over the years the firm has defended cases involving:
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Theft, including shoplifting
- Offences involving children
- Driving and vehicle offences
- Drug offences
You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer. Use both before giving a statement.
What to bring
For a first meeting
- The charging documents: the information, your release order or undertaking, and any conditions
- Your next court date and the courthouse named on the papers
- Any disclosure already received from the Crown
- Names of any witnesses and a private written timeline of events
- Any surety or bail paperwork
- Your questions. Nothing is too small to ask
How it typically unfolds
The usual shape of a file
Every charge is different and nothing here predicts a result. These are the stages most files pass through.
Disclosure
The Crown's evidence is reviewed line by line: statements, video, records, and the way they were gathered.
Position and discussions
A Crown pre-trial, a judicial pre-trial where needed, and a candid conversation about options, including trial.
Resolution or trial
A withdrawal, a resolution, or a trial. You decide, with a clear explanation of what each path means.
Questions people ask
Before you call
General information, not legal advice for your situation.
The police want to talk to me. Should I go in?
Speak to a lawyer first. You can be polite and cooperative while still declining to give a statement. What is said in that room becomes evidence.
Will I have a criminal record?
Not every charge ends in a conviction, and not every finding of guilt ends in a record. The answer depends on the charge, the evidence, and the resolution, which is exactly what the firm goes through with you.
Can my release conditions be changed?
Often, yes. Conditions such as no contact or residence terms can be varied by consent of the Crown or by application to the court when circumstances change.
How soon should I call after being charged?
As soon as you can. Disclosure requests, bail variations, and preserving evidence all work better early.
Talk to the firm about a charge or investigation
Call during office hours. If you reach voicemail, leave a number and your next court date.