It is one of the worst fears that a parent has for their child – something has happened and their child is now being charged with a crime. You must find a way to deal with what occurred and mitigate the potential consequences so that it has minimal impact on their future. Unfortunately, few parents have a detailed understanding of the juvenile justice system. This is why you specifically need to look for a top lawyer for youth in Winnipeg. 

If your child has been charged with a crime, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Here is just some of what you might be able to expect: 

Will My Child Go to Court? 

Going to court and standing before a judge can be a scary prospect. Most parents want to protect their children from the stress and potential consequences that can take place in the courtroom. However, there is simply no getting around it. If your child is charged with a crime, they will likely have to go to criminal court, at least initially. After the initial court hearing, you may be able to find other ways to work around the case without additional court hearings. 

Will My Child Go to Jail? 

The juvenile justice system is a little different than the regular system for adults. While it is certainly possible that your child will make their way into a juvenile detention centre, there are other possibilities. They might be enrolled into a community program or ordered to perform community service in lieu of jail time. Sometimes, they are let off with nothing but a warning. 

Keep in mind that serious crimes warrant serious punishment, and jail time is certainly a possibility. However, a good youth lawyer might be able to help minimize the sentence.

Can Parents Be Charged for Their Child’s Crime? 

In some scenarios, a parent’s actions are the direct cause of the criminal matter at hand. For example, a parent may supply their child with alcohol. The child is then pulled over for driving under the influence. Because the alcohol was directly provided by the parent to an underage child, it is quite possible that the criminal charge will rest on the parent as well as the child. It is often considered a misdemeanor charge with a smaller imprisonment sentence and fines. 

If your child causes property damage or physically assaults someone else, the parents may also be sued. They could be held responsible for paying the damages that their child inflicted. 

Be Prepared for Your Child’s Charges

There are a number of possibilities for how things can go when your child faces criminal charges. They may get off easy with a warning or they could be facing serious consequences. It is always best to be prepared and arm yourself with the best youth defence attorney in Winnipeg. Contact Brodsky, Amy, and Gould for assistance with your child’s case today!   

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source https://gregbrodsky.ca/what-if-my-child-is-charged-with-a-crime/

If you were found to be in possession of drugs by a law enforcement official, then you could be facing some pretty serious charges. The specific sentencing you receive depends greatly on what type of offence you are being charged with. It is crucial that you understand the most common offences and their potential consequences. This is where having an excellent drug possession lawyer in Winnipeg can really help. 

Before you head to court, here is everything you need to know about drug possession charges: 

Most Common Offences

The most common offence for drugs is simple possession. If you are found to have any traces of any type of drug on your person or in your vehicle, you can be charged with simple possession. The specific charges or sentences associated with simple possession vary depending on what type of drug was discovered. 

If you are found to have greater amounts of the drug with you, you could be facing higher charges. There are five common narcotic offences including: 

• Simple possession of the drug
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking a drug
• Trafficking a drug
• Production of a drug
• Importation of a drug

As you proceed down the list of these charges, the consequences for each one becomes significantly greater. You are more likely to face jail time for anything beyond simple possession of the drug. 

Sentencing for Drug Offences

It would be hard to give you a realistic representation of exactly what sentence you might receive based on your charges. The results vary drastically from individual to individual. If you have a relatively clean record with no prior history, you might be let off with a conditional discharge for a simple possession charge. A long history of drug-related instances might score you some jail time. 

Even bail conditions can change dramatically based on your offence and prior history. Many people are eligible for bail, but there are strict rules about what they can and cannot do. For example, they might not be allowed out past a certain hour or they might not be allowed to have access to their cell phone. 

Be sure that you do not violate any of the conditions of your probationary release. If you are caught, you can be arrested and will have a much more difficult time proving your innocence or getting off with a lesser sentence. 

Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

For the best outcomes, you should really hire an experienced drug possession attorney. They know the subtle nuances of the law that might be able to help you get out of a sticky situation. A good attorney can review the history of your prior charges and argue that you be given a lesser sentence. They can also review the incriminating evidence to see whether there are any loopholes that might protect you in court. 

If you are facing drug possession charges, it is best to hire an attorney now instead of waiting until the last minute. Be sure to give Brodsky, Amy, and Gould a call today to discuss your potential case! 

The post Sentencing For Drug Offences appeared first on Brodsky Amy & Gould.

source https://gregbrodsky.ca/sentencing-for-drug-offences/

When facing criminal charges in court, many people ponder the idea of representing themselves to save money. This is an option that is given to everyone, but professionals almost always advise against it. You should really hire a criminal defence lawyer in Winnipeg instead of trying to go at it alone. However, you don’t have to just take our word for it. Here are some of the most common problems when trying to represent yourself in court:

Time Considerations

In order to represent yourself well, you need to have a thorough understanding of the law. You should be familiar with all the particular details and nuances associated with the charges that you are currently facing. This includes understanding the legal processes and procedures like filing the right paperwork at the right time and getting it to the correct office. Most people do not have the time to dedicate to this sort of endeavor. 

Presenting Your Case

Even if you have enough time to learn the subtle details of the law, do you know how to present your case before a judge or jury? You need to know how to make a compelling argument for your side and how to follow all the rules of the courtroom. Simply following the rules of the courtroom properly can take some time for you to adjust to. Presenting your case is the most important part of the trial, so you want to make sure that you can do this persuasively while still following the rules. 

Unbiased Opinion

This third point goes hand in hand with the previous one. When it comes to presenting your case, you must be able to do so from an unbiased standpoint. Given that you are the one on trial, it can be extremely difficult for you to state the facts objectively and get yourself off the hook. Your emotions can cloud your judgment, weakening your potential argument. Even attorneys usually hire other attorneys to represent them in legal matters so that they can have an unbiased representation. 

Possible Incrimination

Because you are a little unsure of the proper proceedings for a court hearing, you might accidentally incriminate yourself while making an argument. You may believe that you are marking a solid case for why you shouldn’t be considered guilty, when you accidentally let a small detail slip that incriminates you of this crime or another one. This is a serious possibility when representing yourself because you do not have specialized knowledge about all areas of the law.

Hire a Solid Defence Attorney

When it comes down to it, attempting to represent yourself can be a dangerous thing. Most people lack the experience, knowledge, and judgment necessary to get themselves the best results. This is why attorneys always recommend that you seek legal counsel when facing criminal charges. If you are headed to trial, be sure to give Brodsky, Amy & Gould a call to see how we can help you. 

The post Should You Represent Yourself In Court? appeared first on Brodsky Amy & Gould.

source https://gregbrodsky.ca/should-you-represent-yourself-in-court/