What to expect at your first consultation with a sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto
You might not have been charged yet, but the police have called and want to talk to you. A sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto should be your initial point of contact. At Erickson Law, we explain your right to counsel, when to talk, and how getting legal assistance early might affect the outcome of your case in the courts. The first meeting is where you take charge of the situation, protect your rights, and plan your next steps. We discuss what to expect when you meet with a sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto, how we get you ready for the process, and why it’s important to move quickly and with full knowledge of the law in Ontario.
The purpose of the first meeting
The first meeting has two major goals: to review your case and give you useful, timely advice. As a sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto, we start by figuring out the legal issues, any Charter concerns, and the current state of your case in terms of procedure. The consultation is meant to help you understand what to do next, whether you’ve just been contacted by the police, been released on bail, or have a court date scheduled. You can also see if the lawyer is a good fit for you by looking at their experience, communication style, and strategy alignment. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to hire them.
What to bring and how to prepare
Being prepared helps us provide accurate advice from the start. Bring any release papers, pledges to appear, fingerprints or photos, receipts or any other conditions you are currently subjected to. Additionally, if the police have provided you with any documentation, including summaries or event numbers, bring those as well. Text messages/emails/social media posts/images, location data/witness names may all help substantiate our investigation further. Provide copies of important timeline events as soon as possible, and do not attempt to contact the complainant or witnesses directly. Let us guide you in doing it legally/effectively!
As your sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto, we will demonstrate how to protect digital material without altering metadata, and avoid doing anything which might be perceived as interfering. Preparation doesn’t involve making all your arguments at one sitting; rather, it involves gathering facts before they fade from memory while there’s still enough proof.
A confidential, judgment‑free conversation
Erickson Law provides confidential consultation free from judgment to learn about allegations made against you by third parties, any type of relationship involved and how police became involved in these communications and events. Consent, credibility and memory issues often make sexual assault trials complex; our role as experienced sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto is to create an atmosphere in which you feel at ease speaking openly so we can assess risks without making assumptions or having bias.
Mapping the criminal process in Ontario
Many of our clients come in with urgent questions about procedures. We will guide you through the criminal process step by step, from the initial court appearance to the trial, including disclosure, the Crown pre-trial, the judicial pre-trial, applications, and the trial. We talk about the difference between summary and indictable prosecutions, the possibility of hybrid charges, and how limitation periods might work. You will understand how bail works, when it could be feasible to change it, and what happens when someone breaks it.
We also talk about the rules for disclosure. In sexual offence cases, disclosure can happen over time and can include statements from the complainant, police notes, 911 recordings, expert findings, and digital extractions. Our sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto will review disclosure with you, find any possible holes, and ask for more information within the Stinchcombe framework with you. We talk about the Bill C-51 system and the applications needed to get data or private communications from third parties while still respecting privacy and the law.
Early issue‑spotting and Charter considerations
This is when we try to spot any possible flaws in procedures that violate the Constitution. We look at how the police acquired statements, if your right to counsel under section 10(b) was respected, and if any searches or seizures violated section 8. If the proceedings were taking too long, we would look at the timetables under section 11(b). In a lot of cases, figuring out that a Charter application is good early on can transform the whole defence strategy and even cause evidence to be thrown out or the case to be put on hold.
Evidence review and investigation strategy
We talk about how to look at evidence in sexual assault cases and what “reasonable doubt” means. Identification, reason to lie, variations in past statements, when the complaint was filed, and other variables might all be important. We might talk about whether to employ outside detectives, acquire help from forensic experts, or gather digital evidence that backs up our case, including geolocation data or conversation logs. We also consider using expert testimony on memory and perception when we need it. It’s incredibly important that you help us to discover witnesses, timings, and evidence that the Crown may never make public.
Managing contact, conditions, and your day‑to‑day life
Living under no-contact orders, non-communication terms, housing restrictions, or social media limits is a typical source of stress. During the meeting, your sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto will go over each condition, answer concerns about what is and isn’t allowed, and suggest ways to avoid breaking the law unintentionally. We think about the time and reasons for a change if restrictions are too strict or get in the way of work, education, or family duties. We also talk about how to handle media exposure and reputation management, like what to do (or not do) if a journalist or someone on social media contacts you.
Resolution pathways and trial preparation
Not every case goes to court. We talk about possible strategies to resolve the issue, from withdrawing and peace bonds to negotiated pleas in very few cases where they are in your best interest. We talk about the Crown’s pre-trial process and how early, well-documented representations can help you get a good result. If trial is the most likely outcome, we make a plan for getting ready that includes preparing witnesses, voir dire, and possible uses of private records and correspondence. As your sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto, we stress the importance of being proactive and developing the case theory early on instead of just responding to what the Crown says.
Your role, our role, and communication expectations
It’s very important to communicate clearly. We tell you how often we will update you, how soon we will respond to your messages, and how we make choices. You make the big strategic decisions, including whether or not to testify, with our help. We talk about the pros and cons of testifying, how cross-examination works, and how courts in Ontario decide if someone is credible. We are also open about fees, such as how we figure out how much a case will cost depending on its complexity, the expected applications, and the length of the trial. Erickson Law works hard to give clients good representation at a reasonable price without skimping on quality or preparation.
Protecting your privacy and mental well‑being
Being accused of sexual assault is not simply a legal problem; it is also an emotional one that may be quite unpleasant. We talk about counselling and support programs, and how asking for help doesn’t mean you’re guilty. Taking care of your mental health will help you defend yourself better. We recommend that you not talk about the case with anybody but your legal team and not write about it online. In addition, your sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto will advise you on how to keep your electronic devices and accounts safe and how to avoid doing anything that could be interpreted negatively during the trial.
Immediate dos and don’ts before you leave
By the end of the consultation, you will have certain tasks to complete. Most of the time, these activities involve making digital communications secure for forensic use, keeping track of times, seeking possible witnesses, and delivering to us any new materials we ask for. We want to make sure you know some crucial things you shouldn’t do. Don’t delete messages or accounts, don’t contact the individual who complained directly, and don’t try to run your own investigation. We will be in charge of dealing with the police, the Crown, and the court, and we will make sure that your rights are safeguarded at every step.
Why choose Erickson Law
For years, Erickson Law has been helping clients in the Greater Toronto Area. We are careful, use evidence, and put the client first. We vow to stick to a set plan, check your disclosure proactively, and fight for you with all our strength. We understand how important your freedom, reputation, and future are, and we will do everything we can to help you receive the best possible outcome.
Your first meeting is the most important part of building a strong defence. Contact Erickson Law to talk with an experienced sexual assault defence lawyer in Toronto if the police have approached you or charged you with a sexual crime. Early counsel can make a big difference.
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