subject: Know Your Rights When Charged With Criminal Offence [print this page] When you are charged with a criminal offence, then you feel as if you have lost everything. The law is strict and it is not easy to prove your innocence or even plead guilty. Moreover, proving your innocence through some lawyer is also expensive as well as time taking. Sometimes, people even try to defend themselves, only to worsen their situation. Therefore, it is in your best interest to employ a reputed criminal defense lawyer, who not only will be able to defend you but also keep you aware of your rights; thereby assisting you in continuing with your normal life.
There are certain rules in the Charter of Rights and Freedom that are to protect the rights of a citizen, who is charged with criminal charges, but is yet to be proved guilty. Ignorance towards these laws can just add to your mental agony and thus leaving you with less time and resource to defend yourself in a court of law. Therefore, it is better to employ the service of a criminal lawyer, who knows the law of the land also is completely aware of your rights. An expert of criminal law in Vancouver, having expertise in defending people charged with, domestic assault, theft from employer, drunk driving and other similar charges, also knows the procedure of the court to the hilt and thus manages to procure a swift and favorable judgment for you.
There are some rights of a person charges with criminal offence and you should be aware of it, else you can neither be able to hire a good defense lawyer, nor can you manage to procure a favorable judgment. Some of them are discussed below:
Right to Know:
You have right to know the charges and the criminal code under which you have been charged. Until you know this, you cannot properly defend yourself or even know which lawyer you have to hire to defend you in the court of law.
Right to Silence:
Once you have provided your basic details to the police, then you must remain silent as you are in no obligation to divulge any information to the police.
Right to Counsel:
The police must make you aware of your right to counsel; thereby, you have the right to hire or get legal aid.
Strip Searches:
When arrested, you might be searched. However, without proper reasons, you cannot be strip searched.
Interpreter:
If you do not know or understand English or if you are deaf, then, it is your right to get an aid of Interpreter, so that you can properly express and; thereby, defend yourself.
There are several more rights like; Innocent until proven guilty, Testimony, Right to a trial within reasonable time, Right not to be denied reasonable bail and Right to trial by jury, and you should be aware of it, when charged with an offence. If, you are not, then better hire a defense lawyer, who will make you aware of these rights, so that you get a fair trial and swift justice, without much hassle.
