How to Prepare for Your First Consultation with a Criminal Defence Lawyer

It can be intimidating to meet with a criminal defence lawyer for the first time. Understanding that the relationship between you and a criminal defence lawyer is a professional one may help clients feel less emotional regarding the facts of their case.

A knowledgeable criminal defence lawyer will learn about your case during an initial consultation. The exchange of information is important, and the following are some of the most important things you can do to make sure your first consultation with a criminal defence lawyer is productive.

Do Not Post on Social Media About Your Case

Clients may want to post information about their cases on social media. However, this is a mistake. It is vital that you refrain from posting any information regarding your criminal case on any social media platform. Posting photographs or videos will affect whether or not evidence can be admitted in court. Also, you do not want to risk being potentially liable for other criminal offences due to the content you post on social media platforms.

A criminal defence lawyer will review all the documentary evidence in your possession. If you post this evidence on social media platforms, you may create unnecessary problems that can delay the resolution of your criminal case.

While you are waiting to have your first consultation with a criminal defence lawyer, do not post any information regarding your case on any social media platform.

Gather Together All the Documents That You Have About Your Case

Documentary evidence is critical to any criminal defence case. Any pertinent documents in your possession may be relevant to your case, and you need to make sure that your criminal defence attorney has access to these documents.

A criminal defence lawyer needs to analyze all the evidence you have regarding the facts of your case. Any official documents such as police reports or witness statements need to be provided to your criminal defence lawyer.

Also, it is important that you make legible copies of these documents in the event that the original is lost or destroyed.

Write a Summary of the Incident

One skill your criminal defence attorney will possess is being able to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant facts. Do not attend your initial consultation without first thinking about all the facts of your case. Write a brief summary of the facts and create a timeline so your criminal defence lawyer can analyze the details of your case.

Drafting a narrative can help contextualize the facts of your case. Any important details that you believe are important should be included in the summary of the incident.

A brief narrative summarizing the facts of your case can help your criminal defence lawyer obtain a broad understanding of your case. Specific details may overwhelm a person who has not read any facts regarding your case. However, if you provide a summary before discussing important details, you will provide your criminal defence lawyer with a roadmap for navigating the specific legal nuances that may be relevant to your case.

Make a List of Witnesses

Trials are often about witnesses, and if you have a list of potential witnesses, you need to bring this list to your criminal defence lawyer.

You should write down the contact information of every potential witness who may be related to your legal matter. You should also include information related to law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers that may have participated in your criminal case. It is important to take some time and make sure you have a list of witnesses who may play a role in your criminal defence strategy.

A list of witnesses should be comprehensive. If you are unsure about whether a particular person may or may not be a witness, you should include them on the list. Seek out the contact information so your witness list is as complete as possible.

It is a good idea to review the documents you have in your possession and make sure that you write down the contact information for any person who may have knowledge regarding the facts of your case.

Be Prepared to Answer Tough Questions

A good criminal defence lawyer will make sure to communicate to you that they are not going to provide you with inaccurate or false information.

Criminal defence lawyers in Canada must adhere to a professional code of conduct. Therefore, it is vital that you not hide any relevant details regarding your case from your criminal defence lawyer. You do not want to withhold important information that may need to be presented during your case.

Also, if you feel overwhelmed during your initial consultation, you need to remember that a criminal defence lawyer is focusing on your constitutional rights. These rights are valuable, but you must be prepared to answer questions that may make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. The answers you offer will provide your criminal defence lawyer with the information they need to protect your legal interests.

Prepare a List of Questions for the Attorney

You can ask a criminal defence lawyer any question regarding your case and the law.

You may have many different questions you would like to present to your criminal defence lawyer. If this is the case, it is best to write a list of these questions before you attend your initial consultation. Being prepared with these questions will help you present your ideas clearly to your criminal defence lawyer. Do not be nervous about asking questions that you believe may focus on aspects of your personal life. Any relevant question you have regarding your case should be presented to your criminal defence lawyer in writing.

No two criminal cases are exactly alike. Every legal case presents a unique set of facts that criminal defence lawyers must assess and analyze. At Vilkhov Law, we want to make sure you receive exceptional legal representation.

It can be overwhelming to take the first step toward obtaining legal representation. However, you should not be afraid to speak to a skilled and experienced criminal defence lawyer if you are facing criminal charges. We are here to help you with every aspect of your criminal case.

Contact Vilkhov Law at (647) 977-5852 if you would like to schedule a free consultation regarding your case.

TESTIMONIALS

Thanks Igor for all your help throughout my criminal process. I have never been charged before and I think Igor really helped ease my nerves through the entire process. When I was initially charged I called a couple of other firms but I ended up retaining Igor because when we spoke on the phone he spent a lot of time to explain what I was charged with and what it all means, I felt the most comfortable when talking to him. As my case progressed, he really took the time to explain my options and the probability of each one, so I really appreciated that and I felt less confused with all the various legal proceedings.

My son was charged with DUI and I hired Igor to represent his matter. Overall, my experience with Igor was great and my son felt really comfortable working with Igor as well. As a parent, I was really concerned about the entire process and even though my son is considered an adult, I was extremely involved the entire time. I really liked that Igor respected my concerns as a worried parent and always ensured any meetings or conversations were held with me present as much as possible, if I wasn’t available to attend a meeting and only him and my son were able to meet, Igor would reach out to update me. I would most definitely recommend Igor to others.

He is caring, honest, and highly knowledgeable in his field. I was charged with domestic assault a few months ago, I was initially with another lawyer but got fed up with the unresponsiveness (didn’t answer my calls or emails), I decided to look for someone else. Igor came highly recommended from a friend and I’m glad I went with him. He knows his stuff and fought hard for my case. Compared to other lawyers I’ve dealt with, day and night.

I cannot recommend Igor Vilkhov enough. I was charged with possession and trafficking, I was going through a tough time in my life at the time and I am glad I was able to find a lawyer who is genuinely passionate about what he does. I was kept consistently updated throughout the entire process and I couldn’t believe the positive outcome. While reviewing my case, he located a significant error on the part of the police. I can honestly say that his work is meticulous and his ability to negotiate is something else. If you are looking for a quality criminal defence lawyer, I can’t say enough good things about Igor.

TESTIMONIALS

Thanks Igor for all your help throughout my criminal process. I have never been charged before and I think Igor really helped ease my nerves through the entire process. When I was initially charged I called a couple of other firms but I ended up retaining Igor because when we spoke on the phone he spent a lot of time to explain what I was charged with and what it all means, I felt the most comfortable when talking to him. As my case progressed, he really took the time to explain my options and the probability of each one, so I really appreciated that and I felt less confused with all the various legal proceedings.

My son was charged with DUI and I hired Igor to represent his matter. Overall, my experience with Igor was great and my son felt really comfortable working with Igor as well. As a parent, I was really concerned about the entire process and even though my son is considered an adult, I was extremely involved the entire time. I really liked that Igor respected my concerns as a worried parent and always ensured any meetings or conversations were held with me present as much as possible, if I wasn’t available to attend a meeting and only him and my son were able to meet, Igor would reach out to update me. I would most definitely recommend Igor to others.

He is caring, honest, and highly knowledgeable in his field. I was charged with domestic assault a few months ago, I was initially with another lawyer but got fed up with the unresponsiveness (didn’t answer my calls or emails), I decided to look for someone else. Igor came highly recommended from a friend and I’m glad I went with him. He knows his stuff and fought hard for my case. Compared to other lawyers I’ve dealt with, day and night.

I cannot recommend Igor Vilkhov enough. I was charged with possession and trafficking, I was going through a tough time in my life at the time and I am glad I was able to find a lawyer who is genuinely passionate about what he does. I was kept consistently updated throughout the entire process and I couldn’t believe the positive outcome. While reviewing my case, he located a significant error on the part of the police. I can honestly say that his work is meticulous and his ability to negotiate is something else. If you are looking for a quality criminal defence lawyer, I can’t say enough good things about Igor.

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Mehul Zala

14:10 05 Feb 23

Mr. Vilkhov did tremendous job to save my life and career. I was charged with SA and it was difficult case with no... witness, however his technics to keep me calm and explain everything in the trial helped me a lot. his regular follow up and working with knowledgeable team did amazing job. I think he is the best in the business. I am really grateful to find him. due to financial situation, he also provided the option to pay his fees in instalments. he is good with medical professionals with these kind of cases. happy to help anyone if they have any questions or reach out to him directly.read more

ahmed md

20:36 23 Dec 22

Best legal representation you can find in Ontario. He wins when you need it the most. He is very knowledgeable and he... is great at what he does.He aims to resolve the case as soon as possible. Mr. Igor and Mr. Daniel from his team were my constant support through this worst phase of my life. They made sure that I was well-informed about what was going on with my case. My every phone call and every message was answered.I spoke to more than 50 lawyers all over Ontario and every lawyer I spoke to tried to scare me and said this thing will definitely go to trial and they were only interested in telling me about their high retainer and legal fees. Mr. Igor Vilkhov patiently heard my case and he was the only lawyer among all the lawyers whom I had spoken to before who calmed me down he said that he will get the case resolved and he was so convincing. He charged a very reasonable fee which was worth every penny. He gave me a flexible payment plan to pay the amount considering my financial condition as a student.He was straightforward and honest. He got the charge withdrawn in just 6 months for a case in a jurisdiction where complete withdrawal of the case was nearly impossible. I cannot thank you enough Vilkhov Law Professional corporation for giving me my life back!!!!read more

Darryl Laidlaw

01:29 11 Nov 22

10 stars if I could!. Not much I could do with the liars that submitted statements. Karma will roll around. Igor got... the charge dropped. I was more than a menace to him, as I have his personal number, and was quite stressed over all of it, he never once was rude to me. I badgers sometimes into the early hours, and he was always responsive. He finally asked that I email his office, which I did after a few more late night messages. Top of the line professional, I don't think he cares about income, as much as he cares about his clients. In my case, he always talked to me like we were best friends, and thinking back, if I was him, I wouldn't want a client like me(I was a pest to him), and yet, he never once made it seem he felt that way. If you want a good lawyer, igor is your guy. He will treat you like family. Maybe someday, when I'm in Toronto, I could meet up with you for a beer. You helped me out, and I'd love to return the favour.read more

Rega Thurairajah

00:04 11 Aug 22

I got to start off by saying how thankful me and my family are for having to come across you as a lawyer to represent a... family member in a critical situation. "Hands down the best law firm out there. Mr. Vilkhov helped my and my family through the hardest times he dedicated his time whether it was in the middle of the night or early in the morning when we needed him he was available to sort matters out immediately. I would highly recommend anyone who is looking for an amazing attorney's to contact Vilkhov Law firm.Thank you again Mr. Vilkhov for absolutely everything you have done and for helping us through the hardest times."read more

E. M.

18:08 16 Jul 22

Igor is a real professional. He helped me resolve my case with a resolution that beyond expectation. You should talk... with Igor first before you accept any deals as Igor will help you get the best results you deserve. Especially when you’re innocent but rather trapped by some nasty situations like the case I personally encountered. Igor is a down-to earth lawyer with excellent judgement and knowledge. He’s trustworthy.read more

Mr Bishop

15:37 08 Oct 21

When facing serious time, you want the best. Thankyou again Mr. Vilkhov. #ALLCHARGESWITHDRAWN

Nate

17:52 24 Sep 21

Mr.vilkhov is an awsome lawyer he is very understanding and helped me with my situation with his reassurance and... professionalism. I highly recommend his services.read more

Roxanna Acosta

19:55 22 Sep 21

vilkahv is very kind and understanding and hard working. he helped me out a lot. highly recommend

Tal Nodelstein

16:33 07 Jun 21

Mr. Vilkhov is by far the easiest to work and negotiate with from anyone I've dealt with before in this line of work.... Understanding, knowledgeable, and very professional. My experience with Mr. Vilkhov was smooth and stress less. I would highly recommend Mr. Vilkhov to anyone in need of his services as you will not be disappointed.read more

Hamzah Shams

17:38 25 May 21

I was charged with a violent offense and Igor withdrew the whole case. He has been nothing but kind, compassionate,... hardworking and professional. I'm a teen and he guided me through literally every small thing, explained every detail very thoroughly and made sure I understood what was happening. After meeting him the first time, I automatically knew to hire him as the other lawyers didn't seem to have great responses. To cut this short, I 100% recommend to hire Igor as he is definitely one of the best lawyers in the GTA and will definitely leave you satisfied.read more

Tracey Nguyen

22:05 16 Mar 21

Igor was very patient, kind, friendly and guided me through a tough situation. He charges a very reasonable price and I... appreciate his dedication to his job and practice. You can tell he is passionate about his job and helping people. Thank you very much Igor! I would definitely recommend his services!read more

em sin

01:37 16 Feb 21

Vilkhov Law Prefessional Corporation will undertake your legal issue with logic and analytic thought, compassion,... diligent research, empathy (that can be absent in many legal dealings), creativity - to find the best possible outcome for your individual situation, and the assertiveness required to ensure your needs are presented and considered with confidence. This practice has the requisite research skills, drafting skills and communication skills to deliver the utmost professional and transparent legal representation when you need the best counsel. Great listeners - this team will restore your confidence in the judicial process. We have been through several lawyers for family court matters in the past but we are loyal clients of Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation now that we know they truly care about the outcomes of their clients. Our search for capable legal representation is finally over!read more

volkov dima

17:40 13 Feb 21

I was charged with a serious criminal offence, I hired Igor and his team after I became unhappy with the way my other... lawyer was handling my case. Igor fought tooth and nail for me for several months and as a result of his work, I ended up getting a full withdrawal of all of my criminal charges. I cannot begin to show the appreciation I have for Igor and his team, I will be forever grateful for this lawyer and the effort he put in. Unlike other lawyers, he is responsive, compassionate and was attentive to my unique set of circumstances. If you need a criminal lawyer, I highly recommend him. Thank you, Igor.read more

Valentina Dang

10:42 09 Feb 21

From our initial consultation, Igor has been not only professional throughout, but he was very attentive, caring and... supportive. When one has to seek out the help of a lawyer that practices family law, there’s usually something distressing that is happening with someone close and that can add a layer of stress. Igor was able to address all of my concerns and made sure that all questions were always answered clearly and in a lot of detail. He made sure that we always understood all of our options, prioritized our interests and never made us feel rushed. I felt that he was always sharp, thorough and detailed, which are all important traits that I would want in a great lawyer. I would highly recommend Vilkhov Law professional Corporation to anyone close to me who needs a family lawyer and is seeking professional legal advice and/or services. Thank you again for your patience, understanding and support through a very tough time - my family and I are all very grateful!read more

Akaashi Khan

02:07 09 Feb 21

I was referred by my real estate lawyer which I have trusted for many years. Igor exceeded my expectations and helped... us a great deal. I wish you all the best and much success.read more

jacob park

19:45 08 Feb 21

After speaking to several civil/criminal lawyers, Igor was our first choice for the fact that he was honest, direct,... empathetic which made us feel confident and gave us reassurance we were in good hands. It was my first time hiring a lawyer and the one thing that stood out was the friendliness and professionalism from the initial phone call. Afterwards, he consistently proved to be very responsive and supportive and never guaranteed a specific outcome but rather provided the likely outcome which was appreciated. In conclusion our civil/criminal situation was resolved amicably and I'm happy to say that the entire experience was definitely satisfactory. He is very dedicated and passionate about his work, affordable and a true professional in his realm. I would highly recommend.read more

Sonia Sohal

10:11 06 Feb 21

I hired Mr. Vilkhov to represent myself (complainant of the matter). He helped me conveying my wishes to the Crown... Attorney with the help of an Affidavit. My case was complicated but he tried his best to put it in simplest way possible. He responds in an extremely timely manner and is always ready to answer the questions I had related to my case. I would highly recommend him for everyone!read more

Solmaz San

22:02 20 Jan 21

He is amazing.He is a gentleman,friendly and compassionate in terms of personality and a skilled and dominant lawyer.

Jessica Lepiz

19:44 17 Jan 21

In times when you need not only a professional help, but also someone you can trust and feel confidence, there is when... you need someone like Igor. He is professional, responsible, serious, polite, knowledgeable, punctual in top of those very important skills, he is kind and right away he gives you the relief and the assurance that you need in times when you feel there is no much hope.When out off a bad situation you get to meet and be in the hands of someone like Igor and his team is when you feel that your situation was a blessing in disguise. Thank you Igor , I regained my faith in human race thanks to you.God bless you!,read more

Andrew Zeng

03:09 06 Jan 21

Great lawyer. Very helpful, keeps you informed throughout the process. Resulted in the best possible outcome for me and... my familyread more

Rania Pilquil

17:49 14 Dec 20

Igor goes above and beyond ensuring all details of the process is communicated in a professional manner. I felt... confident and reassured and I learned so much of the legal system pertaining to my case. I highly recommend Igor for anyone looking to hire a lawyer.read more

Shahedul Islam

03:05 21 Nov 20

Igor was amazing from the start. He made sure I was informed in every step of the way and helped me understand the... process for getting a full withdrawal for my case. His fees are well worth the service and I have recommended him to several people. He always made sure I felt comfortable and confident in his representation.read more

Do Not Post on Social Media About Your Case

Gather Together All the Documents That You Have About Your Case

Write a Summary of the Incident

Make a List of Witnesses

Be Prepared to Answer Tough Questions

Prepare a List of Questions for the Attorney

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

LATEST NEWS & EVENTS