How To Deal With Criminal Charges Without Going To Jail

Dealing with criminal charges can be a challenging process when you don’t have the right legal guidance. It’s important to make informed decisions when you’re facing a criminal charge since the wrong choice can increase the risk of imprisonment. By working with a criminal law firm in Aurora, you may avoid jail and acquire lesser punishments, depending on the seriousness of your crime. 

Discover more about how to deal with criminal charges without imprisonment below. 

Can You Avoid Going To Jail If You Have Criminal Charges?

Yes, it’s possible to avoid a jail sentence if you have criminal charges, but that depends on the type of crime you committed. The specific details of your case, the evidence against you, and your legal defence factor into your overall punishment. Canadian laws aim to ensure a fair trial and due process for all defendants. 

Choosing our criminal defence lawyers in Aurora can also help you face your criminal charges and work towards avoiding jail time. What The Law understands that everyone has unique circumstances, meaning we can guide you through the legal process and encourage you to make better decisions regarding your case. 

Learn more about our team of criminal lawyers in Aurora and how an experienced lawyer can provide legal services concerning your criminal charges. 

Seeking Legal Counsel From A Lawyer

Criminal defence lawyers can provide you with personalized advice on approaching criminal charges and guide you through the legal process. These professionals have years of experience representing clients, whether that’s for a first-time criminal offence or more serious cases that require thorough evaluations. 

You should always work with a criminal law firm in Aurora if you want to work towards avoiding jail. Criminal lawyers are also there for emotional support, allowing you to discuss your thoughts and feelings with lawyer-client privilege, meaning they cannot disclose any of the information. 

Choosing criminal defence lawyers in Aurora ensures you are prepared for your case and can prepare a defence strategy with your lawyer. 

Understanding Your Rights In The Criminal Justice System

Defendants have various rights they should know about before going to trial. Lawyers can share these rights with you in a meeting to ensure the legal process is fair. Those rights are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

Some of the key rights of defendants in Canada include:

• Right to be informed of the charge
• Right to counsel
• Right to silence
• Right to a fair and public trial
• Right to be tried within a reasonable time
• Right to presumption of innocence
• Right to protection against self-incrimination
• Right to due process 
• Right to not be subject to cruel or unusual treatment
• Right to a reasonable bail 
• Right to an interpreter 
• Right to appeal 

It’s essential to consult with a legal professional who can provide specific guidance regarding the rights to defend yourself in the case. 

Gathering Evidence To Reduce Your Charges

Gathering evidence to reduce criminal charges is one of the best steps to building a strong defence. The type and amount of evidence you gather before the trial ensures you and your lawyer can prepare a solid case. Remember that evidence should be gathered legally and ethically to prevent any negative impacts on your criminal charge. 

Here are some steps you should follow with your criminal defence lawyer: 

Consult Your Lawyer

Before gathering evidence, consult with your criminal defence lawyer. They can guide you on what evidence is relevant to your case and how to go about collecting it. Understanding what to do ensures you build a successful defence strategy. 

Document Everything

Keep detailed records of conversations, interactions, and events related to your case. This includes dates, times, locations, and the people involved. It’s worth keeping this information in a separate file to keep evidence organized. 

Use Witness Statements

If there were witnesses to the alleged incident, gather their contact information and statements about what they saw or heard at the scene. These witnesses can provide visual perspectives about your case and help communicate your version of events. It is also important to note to make sure you abide by your Release conditions and ensure you are only speaking to people you are not legally bound to have no-contact with. 

Keep Physical Evidence

Collect any physical evidence and keep it safely locked away to ensure you don’t accidentally tamper with it. Some examples of evidence include photographs, videos, documents, text messages, or objects related to your case. 

Get Character References

Character references are detailed insights into your personality and reputation, mostly from friends, family members, and work colleagues. References are suitable for building a strong defence because they tell the prosecutor more about who you are as a person and whether the crime matches your normal behaviour. 

Exploring Plea Options With Your Lawyer

Plea options involve negotiating with the prosecution to reach an agreement that reduces criminal charges or provides a lighter sentence. In a plea deal, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to specific charges in exchange for a lesser offence and most of the time, avoiding a lengthy trial. These concessions should be carefully considered by your lawyer to ensure you’re making the right decision for your case.

Plea deals are common in the criminal justice system since they resolve cases without going through a full trial. You should only do this if your evidence isn’t strong enough for a solid defence strategy in court. 

Lawyers will only recommend this option if it aligns with your goals and encourages the judge to determine a sentence in the criminal case. 

Avoid Going To Jail By Choosing Our Criminal Defence Lawyers In Aurora

Are you seeking a criminal defence lawyer in Aurora who can help you avoid jail? Contact What The Law today to learn more about how our Aurora criminal defence lawyers will evaluate your case to give you the best outcome possible.