The nature of the criminal offence may call for help from a MassTsang DUI lawyer in Toronto or it could have to do with accusations of some other type of criminal action. Whatever the case, it’s important that you conduct yourself responsibly while the case is pending. Here are some of the suggestions that your legal counsel is likely to offer.
Your Legal Counsel Needs to Know Everything
This may seem like a common-sense approach, but people sometimes tend to withhold information that they perceive as being personally embarrassing or somehow not relevant to the case. If this happens, there’s a good chance that the information will come to light anyway. Most likely, the prosecution will find access to the information and use it in preparing their case. That can leave your legal counsel caught unaware and scrambling to figure out how to respond to the information.
Remember that whatever you tell your lawyer is held in confidence. Since lawyers have heard just about everything, there is little chance of shocking or offending your legal counsel. However you may feel about the information personally, the lawyer is interested in determining how to either defuse it’s relevance or use it to strengthen your case. Take a deep breath and tell your lawyer everything you can think of and let the legal counsel decide what it has to do with preparing the defence.
Others Should Know Little to Nothing
While your lawyer should hear it all, that’s not true for everyone else. In fact, the less you say about the case the better. You will likely need to let your employer and loved ones about court dates and similar matters, but there is no need to discuss the particulars of the case with them.
This is especially true in a public setting. While you may believe what you’re saying is innocent enough, someone who overhears the conversation and goes to the other party may not see it in the same light. Rather than running the risk of complicating things based on what someone believes they heard, it’s best to say nothing.
Be Mindful of Where You Go
Depending on the nature of the charges, you would do well to not be seen in certain kinds of venues. For example, coming out of a bar when you have DUI charges pending won’t help the situation at all. It could be perfectly innocent, but the sighting could provide fodder for the other side.
Discuss this aspect with your lawyer. If the legal counsel recommends that you stay away from certain kinds of places, or even a specific place, take that advice to heart. Assuming the case is decided in your favour, you can always go back there later on.
And Who You Spend Time With
There’s even the possibility that you may need to be mindful about who you are seen with until the case is over. This is especially true if some of the people you know will be called as witnesses for either side. While you may not be able to avoid contact completely, make sure that there are other people around at all times. Doing so will reduce the potential of anyone indicated that you’re trying to influence the person’s testimony.
It’s true that criminal barristers will argue in support of their clients. It’s up to you to provide as much support as possible to the legal counsel who is working on your behalf. In the long run, those efforts are more likely to work in your best interests.
