Me Valerie La Madeleine, Avocate

Before you call about criminal charges

General guidance for this kind of matter, not advice about your situation and not specific to this firm.

Questions worth asking

• Have you handled this specific charge before, and how did those matters end?
• What are the realistic outcomes here, including the ones I will not like?
• Who will actually appear in court, you or someone else at the firm?
• What happens to my case if it goes past the stage your quote covers?

How this work is usually billed

Criminal defence is usually billed as a block fee tied to a stage of the case, bail hearing, resolution discussions, trial, rather than one price for everything. Get in writing which stage your fee covers.

What to have ready

Your release documents or promise to appear, the disclosure package if the Crown has provided it, and the date of your next court appearance.