I’m Charged, Now What?

You have just been charged with a criminal offence in Ontario. You don’t know how to react or what to do next. You might be worried about losing your job, having your reputation ruined or even going to jail.

First off, you need to try to relax and understand what you are up against. What happens with your charges and in your case depends on a lot of factors. Many people that are charged with criminal offences end up having their charges dropped or dismissed. Many others are able to resolve their case without getting a criminal record. The most important thing to know is that being charged with a criminal offence is not the beginning of the end.

Do not panic! No trial will occur for many months and you have lots of time to learn the process and prepare for the best possible outcome.

Start Researching

After being charged with any criminal offence, it is in your best interest to start gathering information about your charge(s).

• Read FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions), lawyer articles, and legal web sites that relate to your criminal charge(s).
• Read about the criminal justice system and processes. Order a free copy of our “Not Guilty” book.
• Check out our case studies, lawyer-written articles, and other useful information on this site.
• Learn about how to find the best lawyer for your case in our 8 Useful Tips to Hiring an Ontario Criminal Defence Lawyer.

Just from being on this site, you have already shown that you are committed to researching top-class criminal lawyers and doing everything you can to resolve your charges in the best way possible. That’s a great start.