If you are facing criminal charges in Brampton, you likely have questions about the charges and what you must do to defend yourself. Getting an experienced criminal lawyer for your Brampton case is crucial to getting the right answers and mounting a successful defence.
In this article, we will discuss the essentials of the Brampton criminal justice system and why you should hire a criminal defence as soon as you can.
Understanding the Criminal Justice System in Brampton
In Brampton, as in other jurisdictions in Ontario, the criminal justice system consists of several parts. Here are the parts that are most relevant to people facing criminal charges in this system:
- Police services
In Brampton, police services are provided by the Peel Regional Police. Every criminal lawyer in Brampton will have experience with this policing organization. This gives them a distinct advantage over defence lawyers from other places in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ)
The OCJ in Brampton handles a wide range of criminal cases, including bail hearings, summary conviction offences, and some preliminary inquiries. It is one of the primary trial courts where a criminal lawyer in Brampton will defend less serious criminal charges.
- Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice in Brampton deals with more serious criminal charges, including indictable offences, jury trials, and complex legal matters. Every criminal defence lawyer in Brampton is familiar with both the OC J and the Superior Court of Justice, including the crown prosecutors, the judges, the court staff, and the courtrooms themselves. In certain circumstances, cases might be moved from OCJ to the Superior Court of Justice.
- Crown prosecutors
Also known as Crown attorneys, these lawyers represent the government in criminal cases. A criminal lawyer with Brampton cases would interact regularly with local Crown prosecutors.
- Defence lawyers
Criminal defence lawyers represent individuals accused of criminal offences by giving them advice, building their defence, and advocating for them. If you are facing criminal charges there, having a criminal lawyer with Brampton experience is important.
Other parts of the criminal justice system in Brampton include correctional facilities, Legal Aid Ontario, victim support services, and probation and parole services. When you are navigating this complex system, having a criminal lawyer in Brampton can be extremely helpful.
The Role of a Criminal Lawyer in Brampton
Defence lawyers play a key role in ensuring that the criminal justice system is fair and is equally applied to everyone who comes into contact with it. The key services that a criminal lawyer for Brampton cases can provide for you are:
- Explaining the criminal charges against you, the applicable laws, and how the laws are interpreted in Brampton courts.
- Investigating your criminal charges, including examining evidence that has already been collected, identifying additional witnesses, and potentially working with a private investigator to collect additional evidence to help in your defence.
- Advocating on your behalf in front of the Court, with the police, or with the Crown.
- Protecting your rights from the time of your arrest through the appeals process and beyond.
- Negotiating with the Crown attorney on matters such as plea bargains and reduced sentences.
- Representing you in your interactions with the criminal justice system.
Having a criminal lawyer with Brampton experience is critical to navigating the criminal justice system and the processes you will go through when facing criminal charges in Brampton.
Why Local Brampton Knowledge Matters
Having a criminal lawyer in Brampton can be enormously helpful to your case. Whereas all criminal defence lawyers in Ontario must meet the same requirements to practice law, it can make all the difference if your criminal lawyer has Brampton experience.
Here are the key reasons why it is advantageous to have a local criminal defence lawyer when you are facing criminal charges in Brampton:
Familiarity with the Local Police Service
As noted above, police services in Brampton are provided by the Peel Regional Police Force. A lawyer who is familiar with the Peel Police will have knowledge about their procedures, policies, and practices. This can give them useful insights into how your case is being handled. For example, they may be able to identify irregularities in the way you were treated, which can help them construct your defence.
Reputation in the Local Criminal Justice System
Experienced defence lawyers will have built respectful professional relationships with others in the local court system, such as court employees, Crown attorneys, and judges. This can facilitate communication, negotiation, and access to information, which can help with your defence.
Navigating Local Courts
A criminal lawyer with Brampton experience will better understand the procedures and policies used in those courts, which could make your case run more smoothly and efficiently. If your case does go to trial, familiarity with how the local courts are run, and even with the courtrooms themselves, can be advantageous for your case.
Availability and Proximity
Choosing a criminal lawyer with a Brampton office ensures that your defence lawyer is close at hand. They will be able to meet with you more easily, access your location more quickly, and respond to your requests more efficiently.
If you live in the Greater Toronto area, you know how long it can take to get from one end of the city to the other and how unpredictable the traffic can be. When you are dealing with criminal charges, you are already under a great deal of stress: the last thing you need is to be waiting for your defence lawyer to drive from Scarborough to Brampton.
Depending on how your lawyer calculates their fees, you may also be paying for them to be stuck in traffic. Hiring a criminal lawyer in Brampton can mean fewer hassles, as well as lower legal defence costs.
Access to Local Resources
To build your defence, your criminal defence lawyer may need other professionals who are nearby and are familiar with the Brampton area. For example, they might want the services of a private investigator or expert witnesses. Not only is it more convenient to have these professionals nearby, but it will also be less costly if they need to testify in court.
Familiarity with The Area
Knowing the various areas in Brampton, the businesses, roads, and places where people gather, can give a criminal lawyer in Brampton distinct advantages when it comes to building your defence. They will be more likely to know who goes where when they go there, and why. This can help them find additional evidence and witnesses for your case and can be very valuable in building your defence.
Choosing a Criminal Lawyer in Brampton
Although local knowledge and relationships can be advantageous, it is important to note that you should choose your criminal defence lawyer based on their competence, experience, expertise in the relevant area of law, and their ability to advocate for you effectively.
Here are the key factors to consider when you are choosing a criminal lawyer in Brampton or elsewhere:
- Experience
Look for a criminal defence lawyer who has substantial years of practice under their belt and who has a proven track record of successfully defending clients with cases like yours. A defence lawyer’s areas of expertise are often listed on their website, but you can also ask them for more details.
- Reputation
Do some research on the criminal lawyer in Brampton that you are considering. You should be able to find online reviews of their services, professionalism, and expertise.
- Legal fees
Ask about the fees that your criminal lawyer in Brampton charges. Although this should not be the sole deciding factor in who you choose to defend you, knowing their fees and their fee structure in advance can help you budget and plan your finances. You may also find that two lawyers who are the same in all other respects vary in terms of their fees.
- Interpersonal connection
It is important that you trust your defence lawyer and that you are able to speak to them plainly and comfortably. You may be working with them extensively, but even if your case is relatively simple, you want to be interacting with someone who gives you confidence and who you believe is committed to defending you.
About Zamani Law
At Zamani Law, we are dedicated to providing individuals facing criminal charges with the best defence possible. We have many years of intensive experience defending people within the Brampton system, and we are highly familiar with its procedures, policies, and rules, as well as with many of the people you will encounter there. We are adept at shepherding clients through their interactions with the system, including your surrender to the police, your bail hearing, your appearances in court, and anything you need after you receive your verdict.
Remember the first rule of being charged with an offence: call a lawyer. Make that lawyer Zamani Law. Contact us today for a free consultation.
