Charges are just that – charges. It doesn’t mean you are already convicted of an offence. If you are charged with sexual assault or sex charges, you are still innocent unless the court of law proves otherwise. If you find yourself in such a situation, seeking advice from a criminal lawyer in Brampton is crucial.
You might have committed that offence, or you might have been framed. All the same, you will have an opportunity to defend yourself in court. Today, we take you through some things that would make a difference if you keep them in mind.
The Complainant Has to Prove Their Allegations
Society might start pointing fingers at you if you are charged with sexual assault or sex charges. Still, the court will not believe the complainant unless they prove the allegations beyond any reasonable doubt.
Hire a Lawyer
If you are accused of these allegations, hiring a lawyer gives you the best chance to win the case. Whether it’s a sexual assault lawyer or a domestic assault lawyer, getting the right legal support is essential.
You might still wonder:
Why don’t I represent myself in court?
People represented by lawyers have a much better chance than those who represent themselves in court. Yes, the court tries to make it possible for those who defend themselves to get a fair hearing, but it doesn’t work due to the procedural complexities of conducting a case in practice.
Here’s How the Case Proceeds Without a Lawyer:
- No Opportunity to Cross-Examine: If you decide to defend yourself, you will not have the chance to cross-examine the complainant in front of the prosecutor.
- Limited Cross-Examination: The court will appoint a lawyer to conduct cross-examination as stipulated under s.486.3. However, the lawyer may not cross-examine the complainant in your best interest but as a duty to the court. Furthermore, since the court pays the lawyer, the hours of cross-examination would be hardly enough to complete the process sufficiently.
- Lack of Knowledge About Admissible Evidence: While on trial, you may not know the sort of evidence that is important to defend yourself. The law is complex, and what is deemed admissible often changes. Having a lawyer would help you focus on those essential pieces of evidence.
- No Opportunity to Negotiate: Once the case is resolved and resolutions announced, you will not have a chance to negotiate on the kind of resolutions already made. Only lawyers representing you in court can help you negotiate better resolution terms.
For those facing specific charges, such as impaired driving, understanding the role of a weapon offence lawyer or impaired driving lawyer is vital.
Conclusion
As you can see, the importance of hiring a lawyer to represent you in court cannot be emphasized well enough. If you are looking for a lawyer, we can help you out. We have over two decades in criminal defence law, and we can offer you the best representation for a fair hearing.