Hi, I'm Navdeep Dhindsa, and as a criminal lawyer Brampton with over a decade of experience, I've seen how criminal charges can turn someone's world upside down in an instant. At Dhindsa Law, I've represented hundreds of clients facing various criminal charges, and I've noticed that many people make the same critical mistakes immediately after being charged.
These mistakes can have devastating consequences on your case outcome, your future, and your family's well-being. I'm writing this to help you understand what not to do if you find yourself in this difficult situation. As your trusted criminal defence lawyer Brampton, I want to share the insights I've gained from years of practice to help protect your rights.
Whether you're facing charges in Brampton, Ontario, or surrounding areas, the decisions you make in those crucial first hours and days can make or break your case. Let me walk you through the most common mistakes I see and how you can avoid them.
This is by far the biggest mistake I see clients make. When I meet with someone who spoke to police without representation, my heart sinks because I know how much harder their case just became. People think, "I'm innocent, so I should just explain everything and clear this up."
That's exactly what the police want you to think.
As an experienced criminal law firm Brampton attorney, I can tell you that police interrogations are designed to gather evidence against you, not to help you. Even innocent people can say things that sound incriminating when taken out of context. I've seen cases where a single statement to police destroyed an otherwise strong defense.
The moment you're arrested or charged, you should ask for a lawyer. Don't answer questions, don't make statements, and don't try to "help" the investigation. Call qualified criminal defense attorney lawyer immediately.
Time is your enemy in criminal cases. Every day you wait to hire a criminal defence lawyer Brampton professional is a day that crucial evidence might disappear or witnesses' memories might fade. I've had clients come to me weeks or even months after their charges, and by then, we've lost valuable opportunities to build a strong defense.
Early intervention can make all the difference. When you contact Dhindsa Law immediately after being charged, I can start protecting your rights right away. I can ensure evidence is preserved, witness statements are recorded, and your rights are protected throughout the process.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you can handle this alone or that you have plenty of time to figure things out. Contact a Criminal lawyer Brampton free consultation service as soon as possible.
Not all lawyers are created equal, and criminal law is a specialized field. I've had to take over cases from lawyers who didn't understand criminal procedure or who rarely practiced criminal law. The results were often devastating for the client.
When you're looking for the best criminal defense attorney, you need someone who focuses primarily on criminal law and has extensive experience in your type of case. At Dhindsa Law, criminal defense is all we do. I know the local courts, the prosecutors, and the judges. This insider knowledge can be invaluable for your case.
Ask potential lawyers about their experience with cases like yours. How many criminal trials have they conducted? What's their success rate? Do they know the local court system? These questions can help you find the right criminal lawyers Brampton Ontario for your situation.
I cannot emphasize this enough: stay off social media completely while your case is pending. I've seen too many cases damaged by careless social media posts. Prosecutors regularly check defendants' social media accounts looking for evidence.
That innocent photo at a restaurant can contradict your alibi. That frustrated post about the justice system can make you look guilty. Even posts from months before your arrest can be used against you if they're relevant to your case.
I always tell my clients to either deactivate their social media accounts temporarily or have a trusted family member change their passwords so they can't access them. It's not worth the risk.
This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it happens. Missing a court date is one of the worst things you can do for your case. It shows disrespect to the court and can result in additional charges and a warrant for your arrest.
As your criminal law firm Brampton representative, I keep track of all your court dates and legal obligations. But you need to take them seriously too. Mark every date on your calendar, set multiple reminders, and never assume a court date has been postponed unless you hear it directly from me or the court.
I understand the need for emotional support during this difficult time, but discussing the details of your case with family and friends can hurt you legally. These conversations aren't protected by attorney-client privilege, and your loved ones can be subpoenaed to testify about what you told them.
Keep your conversations general and focused on how you're feeling rather than the specifics of your case. Save the details for our confidential conversations where attorney-client privilege protects what you tell me.
Never, ever try to contact alleged victims or witnesses in your case. I've seen clients get additional charges for harassment, witness tampering, or violating no-contact orders by making this mistake.
Any communication with victims or witnesses must go through me as your criminal defense attorney lawyer. I know how to approach these situations legally and professionally. Attempting to handle it yourself almost always makes things worse.
Prosecutors often present plea deals early in the process, sometimes making them seem like great offers that won't last long. Don't fall for this pressure tactic. Most plea deals can be negotiated, and many cases have weaknesses that aren't immediately apparent.
As an experienced criminal lawyer Brampton, I analyze every aspect of the prosecution's case before advising you on plea deals. Sometimes the evidence against you is weaker than it initially appears. Sometimes we can negotiate better terms. Sometimes going to trial is actually your best option.
Never accept a plea deal without having it thoroughly reviewed by qualified legal counsel.
Attorney-client privilege protects everything you tell me, but I can't help you if you don't tell me the truth. I've had clients hide important facts from me, only to have them come out later in ways that damaged their cases.
I'm not here to judge you. I'm here to defend you. But I need all the facts to do that effectively. The prosecution will eventually uncover the truth anyway, so it's better that I know about it from the beginning so I can plan accordingly.
Criminal law is incredibly complex, and the stakes are too high to try handling your case alone. Even lawyers hire other lawyers when they're facing criminal charges. The legal system has rules, procedures, and nuances that take years to master.
I've seen too many people destroy their cases by trying to represent themselves. They miss filing deadlines, make procedural errors, and fail to preserve important rights. Don't let pride or fear of legal fees cost you your freedom.
If you've been charged with a crime in Brampton, Ontario, time is not on your side. Every moment you delay getting proper legal representation is a moment that could be used to build your defense.
At Dhindsa Law, I offer free consultations where I can evaluate your case and explain your options. This initial meeting costs you nothing, but it could make the difference between a conviction and a favorable outcome.
Early intervention allows me to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and identify potential legal issues that could benefit your case. The sooner you contact me, the more options we typically have.
People often don't realize how far-reaching the consequences of criminal charges can be. Even if you avoid jail time, a conviction can affect your employment opportunities, housing options, educational prospects, and ability to travel.
Professional licenses can be suspended or revoked. Immigration status can be jeopardized for non-citizens. Insurance rates can increase. Some convictions can even affect your ability to volunteer with certain organizations or coach your child's sports team.
As your criminal lawyers Brampton Ontario advocate, I don't just focus on avoiding jail time. I work to protect your entire future and minimize the long-term impact of these charges on your life.
At Dhindsa Law, criminal defense isn't just part of what we do – it's all we do. I've dedicated my entire legal career to defending people accused of crimes, and I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that criminal cases present.
I know the local courts, the prosecutors, and the judges. I understand how the system works in Brampton and throughout Ontario. This insider knowledge allows me to develop strategies that other lawyers might miss.
Most importantly, I understand what you're going through. I know how scary and overwhelming this experience can be, and I'm here to guide you through every step of the process.
A: Absolutely not. As an experienced criminal lawyer Brampton, I can tell you that talking to police without a lawyer present is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, even if you're completely innocent. Police are trained to gather evidence against you, not to help prove your innocence. Exercise your right to remain silent and contact me immediately.
A: You should contact me as soon as possible – ideally within hours of being charged. At Dhindsa Law, I'm available 24/7 for urgent situations because I know how critical timing can be. The sooner I get involved in your case, the better I can protect your rights and build your defense.
A: During your Criminal lawyer Brampton free consultation, I'll review the facts of your case, explain the charges against you, discuss potential consequences, and outline possible defense strategies. This meeting helps you understand your situation and allows you to see how I can help. There's no obligation, and everything we discuss is confidential.
A: Yes, you have the right to change lawyers at any time. If you're not confident in your current representation, I encourage you to schedule a consultation with me. As your potential new criminal defence lawyer Brampton, I can review your case and discuss how I might handle things differently.
A: Every case is different, so legal fees vary depending on the complexity of your charges and the amount of work required. During your free consultation, I'll provide you with a clear fee structure so you know exactly what to expect. Many clients find that investing in proper legal representation saves them money in the long run by avoiding convictions and their associated costs.
A: No lawyer can guarantee specific outcomes in criminal cases – anyone who promises you a particular result is not being honest. However, as an experienced criminal defense attorney lawyer, I can promise you that I'll work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome given the facts of your case.
A: Absolutely. Even minor criminal charges can have major long-term consequences. A conviction for any criminal offense appears on background checks and can affect employment, housing, insurance, and many other aspects of your life. As your criminal law firm Brampton advocate, I often help clients avoid these consequences entirely.
A: If you truly cannot afford private representation, you may be eligible for legal aid. However, if you have any means to hire private counsel, I strongly recommend doing so. Private criminal lawyers Brampton Ontario typically have more time and resources to dedicate to your case than overloaded legal aid lawyers.
A: Yes, social media posts can absolutely be used as evidence against you. I've seen cases seriously damaged by careless posts, photos, and even location check-ins. Law enforcement and prosecutors regularly review defendants' social media accounts. My advice is to stay off social media completely while your case is pending.
A: The timeline varies greatly depending on the complexity of your case, the court's schedule, and whether we go to trial or resolve the case through plea negotiations. Simple cases might resolve in a few months, while complex cases can take a year or more. I'll give you a realistic timeline during our consultation based on the specifics of your situation.