If you’re facing criminal charges of any kind, now is the time to find a lawyer who can represent you and protect your interests. Having some sort of legal aid in criminal law matters makes it easier to deal with what’s to come and determine how to defend yourself from the charges. In order to make sure the defence process is not filled with unnecessary complications, here are four ways that you can work with your legal counsel and keep moving the case forward.
No Holding Back Information From Your Legal Counsel
One of the most common mistakes that clients make is attempting to filter the information that they provide to their legal counsels. At times, this attempt has to do with withholding information that may be personally embarrassing. It may also be done in an effort to protect the privacy of another party. The client may also feel that certain information isn’t relevant and decide there’s no point in mentioning it.
None of these rationalizations are worth keeping things from your legal counsel. Owing to the confidential nature of the discussions, the lawyer will not use anything that’s not relevant to the case. It will remain between the two of you. That means anything that you find embarrassing or that has to do with another person won’t be used in the case unless it’s necessary.
In terms of deciding what is and is not relevant, that’s one of the reasons why you sought out legal counsel in the first place. The lawyer is in a better position to decide what’s important to the case and what’s not. Tell everything that you know and let your lawyer make that call.
Making Yourself Available
Criminal charges that become convictions will seriously impact you for the rest of your life. That’s all the more reason why you want to work closely with your legal counsel. Expect the lawyer to contact you regularly with questions, requests for more interviews, and maybe to keep you up to date on what’s happening with the case. At all times, make sure you are available to your lawyer.
Return phone calls, text messages, and emails at quickly as possible. If the lawyer wants to meet face to face, schedule it as soon as you can. Your prompt response could mean a lot in terms of moving the defence process forward.
Listening to Recommendations for the Defence Strategy
Clients find that Mississauga criminal lawyers work hard on preparing defences. They also communicate their ideas to their clients. The goal is to ensure that both the lawyer and the client remain on the same page when it comes to how the defence should be conducted. You can bet that your legal counsel has specific reasons for structuring the defence in a particular way. Listen closely to the strategy and the reasoning behind it. Doing so will make it all the easier to appreciate what the lawyer is doing on your behalf.
Following Instructions for Conducting Yourself During a Court Session
Court is not a place where you’ve spent a lot of time. There’s a great deal about the proceedings and how you should behave that the lawyer can tell you. Listen closely to that advice and you reduce the risk of speaking out of turn or doing something that adversely affects the impression that you make on the court.
Remember that your lawyer is your advocate during the criminal proceedings. Commit to providing your full cooperation and it will be easier for your legal counsel to work for the best possible outcome.
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