Your Rights

Under Canadian law and the constitution, you have a defined set of rights as an accused person. But the powers of the Crown (the prosecutors who represent the government) are vast and all-powerful. Your legal rights must be actively defended — not just left to chance — at every step of the proceedings.

Here are some points of fact that you need to know about your legal rights as an accused person in Canada:

• You have the right to remain silent:
Contact with the police will make you nervous. The police know that and they will use it to their advantage. They will ask you for your side of the story as if they want to help you. But the reason why the police have been called is to investigate you and make an arrest. My advice is to be pleasant. Give them your name and date of birth, but do not start to try and explain your side of the story or answer any questions conerning your invovlment in a criminal matter. You have the right to remain silent. Use it.

• You have the right to contact the legal counsel of your choice:
You will be afforded the opportunity to contact a free lawyer when you are arrested but you can contact any lawyer you ask for. Your own personal lawyer will be able to start organizing your case for you from the beginning — for example, arranging bail the next day if you are detained. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to have your own lawyer represent you at your bail hearing. Your lawyer will have already organized your sureties (persons who stand forward as security for your release), will have briefed them, and will be prepared to proceed.

• Overlap of civil, criminal and regulatory legal consequences:
If your business has been charged with a criminal or regulatory/quasi-criminal offence, you must keep in mind that those proceedings may impact your liability in a future civil case. The lines between strict criminal/regulatory offences and civil liability has become blurred. You need a lawyer who can see the overall picture and provide you with advice on all necessary fronts.

The Sam Goldstein Advantage:

RIGHTS:
You need legal representation that places the defence of your legal rights as "job one" in any criminal proceeding. Sam Goldstein is a tireless defender of your rights in any criminal legal challenge you may be facing.

PROCESS:
Legal proceedings in criminal matters take time because there is a tedious process to how things work. As a former Crown prosecutor, Sam Goldstein knows the process from the inside and can help turn the various parts of that process in your favour.

ADVOCACY:
Your lawyer must be more than a defender — he must be your energetic advocate, willing to dig for every possible angle and perspective that will cast doubt on the prosecution's case. Sam Goldstein has a respected record for being a true and tireless advocate in every client's unique defence.

DILIGENCE:
Your case may take many months to work its way through the cumbersome court process, but you can be sure that as your legal advocate, Sam Goldstein will be on top of all matters every step of the way.

Contact Sam Goldstein, criminal defence lawyer, for effective and responsive legal care.