Difference between revisions of "Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge"

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{{Dial-A-Law Blurb}}
{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [http://www.vancitydefence.com/our-people/jordan-allingham/ Jordan Allingham], Ferguson Allingham and [https://www.paulbriggslawyer.com/blank-3 Paul Briggs], Paul Briggs Law|date= March 2018}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = crime}}
 
{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = criminal}}
If you are charged with a criminal offence and you cannot afford a lawyer or get legal aid, you may have to defend yourself. Learn your rights and what’s involved.
If you are charged with a criminal offence and you cannot afford a lawyer or get legal aid, you may have to defend yourself. Learn your rights and what’s involved.


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====You can plead “guilty”====
====You can plead “guilty”====
A '''guilty plea''' means you accept responsibility for the offence. If you decide to plead guilty, you will go before a judge for sentencing. For more details, see our information on [[Pleading Guilty to a Criminal Charge (Script 212)|pleading guilty to a criminal charge (no. 212)]].
A '''guilty plea''' means you accept responsibility for the offence. If you decide to plead guilty, you will go before a judge for sentencing. For more details, see our information on [[Pleading Guilty to a Criminal Charge (No. 212)|pleading guilty to a criminal charge (no. 212)]].


====You can ask for more time====
====You can ask for more time====
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===Step 8. Sentencing===
===Step 8. Sentencing===
If you are convicted of the criminal charge, the judge will '''sentence''' you. Depending on the offence and your background, the sentence could be a discharge, a fine, probation, or jail. For more on possible sentences, see our information on [[Conditional Sentences, Probation and Discharges (Script 203)|conditional sentences, probation, and discharges (no. 203)]].  
If you are convicted of the criminal charge, the judge will '''sentence''' you. Depending on the offence and your background, the sentence could be a discharge, a fine, probation, or jail. For more on possible sentences, see our information on [[Conditional Sentences, Probation, and Discharges (No. 203)|conditional sentences, probation, and discharges (no. 203)]].  


The judge will want to know something about you before deciding what sentence to give you. Key information includes your age, whether you are married, how many people you support, if you are working, your income, your plans, and why you committed the offence. So be prepared with this information in case the judge asks for it.
The judge will want to know something about you before deciding what sentence to give you. Key information includes your age, whether you are married, how many people you support, if you are working, your income, your plans, and why you committed the offence. So be prepared with this information in case the judge asks for it.
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[updated March 2018]
'''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by [http://www.vancitydefence.com/our-people/jordan-allingham/ Jordan Allingham], Ferguson Allingham and [https://www.paulbriggslawyer.com/blank-3 Paul Briggs], Paul Briggs Law.'''
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