Have you just been the target of a criminal charge?

In such a scenario, time is of the essence to find a competent criminal defence lawyer to help you out of a difficult situation. And this is where JuriGo can help you find the right criminal lawyer to protect your rights, regardless of the nature of the charge laid against you.

Need help finding the right criminal defence lawyer? JuriGo presents all the services offered by these professionals right here! And even better, we refer you free of charge to one of them located near you.

Fill out our form in less than 2 minutes and we'll take care of finding you a true criminal law expert in your area!

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When are the services of a criminal defence lawyer essential?

A criminal defence lawyer is an expert who intervenes at several stages of criminal proceedings. And when such a process is initiated against you, time is critical to find a competent lawyer to represent your interests.

Here are the situations that justify retaining the services of such a professional without delay!

Upon your arrest

Were you caught "in the act" and placed under arrest? Or was an arrest warrant issued against you? In both cases, your first reflex should be to contact a criminal defence lawyer immediately.

At the arraignment/plea

The arraignment stage is where the charges against you are revealed, and it is also at this stage that you enter your plea. Whether you intend to plead guilty or not guilty, the advice of a criminal defence lawyer should not be overlooked.

Before trial (negotiations)

You pleaded not guilty and the trial is going ahead? Your criminal defence lawyer's role also includes negotiating with the Crown prosecutor to have charges dropped or the sentence reduced.

Throughout the trial

The criminal defence lawyer is the professional who represents your interests before the justice system! Throughout the trial, the defence lawyer's role is to cast doubt on your guilt in order to prevent the Crown from meeting its burden of proof.

During sentencing submissions!

You have been found guilty of a criminal offence? There is still the matter of the prison sentence to be determined! During sentencing submissions, the criminal defence lawyer will argue in favour of the most lenient sentence possible.

To appeal the judgment

The judgment rendered at first instance is not necessarily final; there remains the possibility of appealing it in order to overturn the decision. And once again, it will be the criminal defence lawyer's role to undertake this process.

One thing is certain: the criminal defence lawyer is the first person you should contact when facing legal troubles of a criminal nature.

If you find yourself in such a situation, JuriGo is at your disposal to connect you with a competent criminal defence lawyer in your area!

All the services a criminal defence lawyer can help you with!

The Canadian Criminal Code contains a long list of offences, which is why criminal defence experts are highly versatile legal professionals. They are able to represent clients facing criminal charges, regardless of the nature of the offence.

Here are some examples of the most commonly encountered offences handled by criminal defence lawyers in Alberta!

Economic and property crimes

The category of economic and property crimes includes all offences that have caused harm to property and are free from violence against another person. Theft and fraud are frequently cited as examples of economic and property crimes!

Here is a short list of the most commonly encountered economic and property crimes in Alberta:

• Theft charges
• Fraud
• Possession of stolen property
• Extortion
• Identity theft
• Vandalism

Crimes against the person

Crimes against the person are among the most serious in the Criminal Code. Any offence that has the effect of harming the physical integrity of a person falls under crimes against the person, and serious consequences are attached to them.

In Canada, crimes against the person include several offences, including:

• Simple assault
• Aggravated or armed assault
• Sexual offences
• Manslaughter
• Murder

Other categories of crimes

There are hundreds of offences listed in the Canadian Criminal Code, and for each of them, a defence can be raised by a competent criminal lawyer.

Whether it's a charge of impaired driving, a breach of conditions, or a drug-related crime, there is a lawyer to defend you against a wide range of offences:

• Traffic tickets and ticket disputes
• Impaired driving
• Care and control of a vehicle while intoxicated
• Drug possession and/or trafficking
• Firearms-related offences
• Breach of conditions

Youth court

When a minor is the subject of a criminal charge, the case is generally brought before Youth Court. This requires a certain specialization on the part of the lawyer, as such cases come with their own set of subtleties.

Here are some examples of criminal charges frequently brought against minors!

• Drug-related offences
• Theft charges
• Criminal mischief
• Cyberbullying

Pardon applications and US entry waivers

The process of obtaining a pardon or "record suspension" can be complex and, above all, time-consuming. Criminal defence lawyers are true experts in this area who will verify your eligibility for a pardon application and take charge of your file at every step.

Criminal defence lawyers are also able to obtain a US entry waiver for you — the document required by United States border services for individuals who have been convicted of a criminal offence in the past.

Criminal guilty verdict: what are the consequences?

Being found guilty of a criminal offence carries serious consequences.

The impacts of a criminal conviction are felt for many years after the verdict, and this is precisely what justifies hiring an experienced criminal defence lawyer to minimize (or even avoid) the consequences of a charge.

Here are the main impacts of a guilty verdict in a criminal case:

• Prison sentence
• Imposition of a fine
• Criminal record
• Travel restrictions (to certain countries)
• Employment limitations (if justified by the position)

5 criteria for choosing your criminal defence lawyer!

How can you protect yourself from such consequences in a criminal case? Your best chance of getting out of a difficult situation is to hire a competent criminal defence lawyer!

Here are 5 criteria to help you choose the right criminal defence lawyer to represent you when facing charges!

1) Years of experience

Experience is a quality that cannot be bought, yet it is worth its weight in gold. Indeed, the number of years of experience your lawyer has must absolutely be considered when choosing your criminal law professional.

2) Expertise in the relevant area

Criminal defence lawyers are not necessarily qualified for all types of offences. Some specialize in property offences, while others are more skilled in the area of crimes against the person. Choose your lawyer based on their area of expertise!

3) The trust relationship

This criterion is one only you can verify! However, that is no reason to overlook it, as your lawyer will accompany you from the beginning to the end of the criminal process, so the trust relationship must truly be present!

4) Settlement of cases similar to yours

Has the lawyer you are considering hiring already successfully resolved a similar case? If so, this is a strong argument in their favour that justifies seriously considering their candidacy!

5) A team of lawyers ready to help you!

One lawyer is good, but a team of lawyers is even better! It is therefore worthwhile to consider hiring a lawyer who is surrounded by a team of experienced criminal defence professionals who will add their expertise and provide advice throughout your case.

JuriGo is THE reference for finding your criminal defence lawyer in Alberta!

A guilty verdict following a criminal offence leads to serious consequences. And the professional best positioned to help you out of a difficult situation is the criminal defence lawyer — there is no doubt about it!

So what are you waiting for to benefit from a full and complete defence against your charge?

JuriGo offers to connect you quickly and free of charge with a criminal defence lawyer in your area.

All you have to do is fill out the form below, and we'll take care of the rest!

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