11 / 12 · Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ss. 7 – 10
Investigations & Warrants
If police want to speak with you, or you believe a warrant has been issued, the time to call a lawyer is now. Early guidance can prevent costly mistakes.
- Pre-charge advice
- Police interview requests
- Outstanding warrants
- Arranging a surrender
What is at stake
Why this charge needs a real defence.
What happens before a charge often decides the case. Statements people give to police, believing they are clearing things up, are among the most common evidence used to convict them. You have the right to silence and the right to counsel, and you are under no obligation to help police build a case against you.
How it is done
How we build your defence.
- 1
A confidential conversation
We review what you know about the investigation, assess your exposure, and explain your rights and options. What you tell your lawyer is privileged.
- 2
We deal with the police
Your lawyer can contact the investigating officer on your behalf, find out what they are seeking, and make clear that you will not be giving a statement. In some cases that contact ends the matter.
- 3
A planned surrender
If charges are coming, we arrange a time for you to attend, prepare a release plan in advance, and work toward release from the station or a prompt bail hearing, rather than an arrest at home or work.
- 4
Preserve your defence
We identify and secure evidence that helps you, such as messages, records, and video, before it disappears.
What we look for
The issues that decide these cases.
- 01
The right to silence
You cannot be compelled to give a statement, and your silence cannot be used as evidence of guilt.
- 02
The right to counsel
On arrest or detention, police must tell you of your right to a lawyer and give you a real chance to use it.
- 03
Informal questioning
A casual phone call or a request to come in for a chat is still an investigation.
- 04
Search warrants
If police arrive with a warrant, do not obstruct them, do not consent to more than the warrant allows, and call a lawyer.
Possible outcomes
What a good result can look like.
- No charges laid
- Release directly from the police station
- A bail hearing with a plan already in place
- A defence that begins with the evidence preserved
Every case turns on its own facts. These are examples of results that may be available, not a prediction or guarantee of the outcome in your matter.
Questions
What people ask us first.
Call a lawyer first. You are not required to give a statement, and declining to do so is not an admission of anything. A lawyer can find out what the police want and speak to them for you.
Do not wait for police to find you. A lawyer can confirm whether a warrant exists and arrange for you to turn yourself in on a planned basis, which usually improves your chances of a quick release.
Next step
Talk to us about your investigations & warrants matter.
A short conversation now can prevent mistakes that are hard to undo later. What you tell us is confidential.
