When should you talk to a criminal defence lawyer?

Call a criminal defence lawyer now!

You can call a criminal defence lawyer anytime, but it's best to do this as early in the process as possible.

If you've been charged with a crime or if the police say they want to talk to you, call a criminal defence lawyer. What you do now can set the stage for what happens later. The earlier you get a lawyer on your side the more likely they will be able to help you.

Memories fade.

Your lawyer will want to talk to you while events are still fresh in your mind. You might forget something important--it could even be the very thing your case hinges on.

This applies not just to your memory, but to the memory of any defence witnesses. You should identify and contact witnesses while their memories are fresh. They should be interviewed and witness statements taken to preserve their memory of events.

Evidence needs to be preserved.

There may be evidence that is important to your case. It needs to be preserved. This evidence might no longer exist if you wait. Your criminal defence lawyer will let you know what that evidence is and how to collect it. Physical evidence could be crucial to your defence, so you need to collect it while you can.

Criminal law-you don't know what you don't know.

Criminal laws and procedures are complex. What may seem unimportant to you may be of critical importance to your defence. Something you think is a small point may be the very thing that prevents you from being convicted. Your lawyer knows what to do.

Get help before charges are laid.

If you think you may have done something illegal, don't wait for the police to get involved. Criminal defence lawyers can advise you on the legality of your actions before any charges are laid. This puts you and your lawyer in control of the situation-not the crown prosecutor or police. A small investment of time and money early on could save you thousands of dollars down the line by preventing a charge from being laid. Even if charges are laid, you will be fully prepared and will have preserved all the evidence you need to prove your innocence.

The bottom line.

Criminal defence lawyers understand criminal law. They know what's important, and they know what needs to be done.

Don't wait-call a criminal defence lawyer now and get the advice you need.