Stay calm and exercise your right to remain silent beyond providing your name and address. Do not explain your side of the story to police, do not consent to a search, and ask to speak with a lawyer immediately. Compass Law offers free, confidential consultations 24/7, so you can get guidance before you say or sign anything.

No, not without speaking to a lawyer first. Many of the strongest defence opportunities exist before a charge is ever laid. If police want a statement or say they are just asking questions, politely decline and call us first. Early advice can sometimes prevent a charge from being laid at all.

Often yes, either released by police at the scene or station with conditions, or held for a bail hearing before a Justice of the Peace. Whether you are released, and on what conditions, depends on the charge, your history, and the strength of your release plan. This is one of the most time sensitive parts of any case.

Missing court can lead to a warrant for your arrest and an additional charge of failing to attend. If you have missed a court date or are worried you might, contact a lawyer immediately to address it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Your first appearance is usually administrative, not a trial. It is where the Crown confirms disclosure is being provided and next steps are set. It is still an important date, and having a lawyer from this point changes how the rest of the case unfolds.

Disclosure is the evidence the Crown intends to rely on, including police notes, witness statements, video, and other records. The Crown is required to provide it to the defence, and reviewing it carefully is often where the strongest defence strategies come from.

It depends on the charge and the courthouse. Straightforward matters can resolve in a few months, while more serious or contested cases can take a year or longer, particularly if they proceed to trial. We give clients a realistic timeline based on their specific charge and courthouse.

Most criminal cases resolve before trial through withdrawal, diversion, a peace bond, or a negotiated resolution. Some cases do need to be fought. We prepare every file as if it could go to trial, which puts us in a stronger position to negotiate.

In many cases, yes. This can happen through a Charter application, a disclosure review that reveals weaknesses in the Crown's case, negotiation with the Crown, or an alternative resolution such as diversion or a peace bond. The right path depends entirely on the evidence in your file.

A peace bond, under section 810 of the Criminal Code, is an agreement to keep the peace and follow specific conditions for a set period, without pleading guilty. Once the conditions are met, the underlying charge is typically withdrawn and there is no criminal record.

A discharge means you are found guilty or plead guilty, but no formal conviction is registered. An absolute discharge takes effect immediately, while a conditional discharge requires meeting specific conditions first. Either way, a discharge is not the same as a criminal conviction and generally does not appear on a standard background check once the relevant waiting period passes.

Yes. Being innocent does not mean a charge disappears on its own. The Crown still has to prove its case, and a lawyer's job is to make sure the evidence, procedure, and your rights are properly tested at every stage.

Fees vary depending on the charge, its complexity, and whether the matter proceeds to trial. Compass Law discusses fees openly at the free consultation, and payment plans are available to discuss for clients who need them.

Yes. Compass Law accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates for clients who qualify. If you are not sure whether you are eligible, we can help you understand the application process.

A criminal charge or conviction can affect permanent residency, citizenship applications, and in some cases lead to removal proceedings. Compass Law does not provide immigration opinions directly, but works with a trusted immigration lawyer and refers clients for an immigration opinion letter whenever a charge could put their status at risk.

It can. Certain criminal charges and convictions can result in denial of entry at the US border, even for less serious offences. This is one more reason to take early legal advice seriously, especially if you travel for work or family.

In some cases, a person can apply for a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon, once enough time has passed after completing a sentence. The waiting period and eligibility depend on the offence. This is a separate process from your criminal case, and we can point you in the right direction when the time comes.

Compass Law handles a full range of criminal matters, including driving offences, assault and domestic assault, sexual offences, drug offences, theft and fraud, bail hearings, firearms and weapons charges, youth offences, and other criminal charges across the Greater Toronto Area.

We appear regularly at the Brampton courthouse, Toronto courts including 2201 Finch and 19 Armoury Street, Newmarket, Barrie, and Orangeville, and we can appear at other GTA courthouses as needed.

Yes. Manmeet Singh speaks English, Punjabi, and Hindi, and has represented clients across the GTA in each of these languages.

Yes. Every consultation is free and protected by solicitor client privilege. You can speak openly about your situation without any obligation to hire us.