Facing Criminal Charges? What to Do First and Why It Matters

Being charged with a criminal offence can feel disorienting and overwhelming. For many people, it’s their first interaction with the justice system, and it often comes with fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. What happens next? Will you be arrested? Do you need to go to court right away? How serious are the consequences?

If you’ve been charged in Calgary, understanding the court process and speaking with an experienced criminal defence lawyer as early as possible can make a meaningful difference in how your case moves forward.  

Step 1: Remain Calm and Exercise Your Rights

The moment you are charged with a criminal offence, you have the necessary legal rights that apply immediately. These include the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer without delay. Outside of providing basic identification, you are not required to answer police questions, and it is often in your best interest not to do so until you have legal advice. 

Anything said at this stage can later be used as evidence.

Step 2: Understand Your Release Conditions

If you are not held in custody, you will almost always be released with conditions. These may include no-contact orders, travel restrictions, curfews, or reporting requirements. Even though these conditions are not a conviction, breaching them is a separate criminal offence.

A criminal defence lawyer in Calgary can help you understand what your conditions actually mean in day-to-day life, ensure they are realistic, and, where appropriate, apply to have them varied. Clear guidance at this stage helps prevent accidental breaches that can complicate your case. 

Step 3: Attend Your First Court Appearance

Your first court date is typically procedural. You will not be entering a plea or having a trial at this stage. Instead, the court confirms the charge, ensures disclosure is being provided, and sets timelines for next steps.

In Calgary, this is where having a criminal defence lawyer on your side becomes especially valuable. Your lawyer can appear on your behalf, manage court dates, and prevent rushed decisions — including the common mistake of pleading guilty before the evidence has been reviewed. 

Step 4: Review the Disclosure Thoroughly 

Disclosure is the evidence the Crown intends to rely on. This can include police reports, witness statements, video or audio recordings, and forensic material. Reviewing disclosure is one of the most important stages of your case.

A defence lawyer will analyze this material to identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, procedural errors, or possible Charter violations. Many cases turn on what is — or isn’t — contained in disclosure, and careful review often opens the door to strong defence strategies. 

Step 5: Develop a Defence Strategy

Once the evidence is understood, your lawyer will work with you to develop a strategy tailored to your situation. This may include pre-trial motions to challenge evidence, Charter applications, negotiations with the Crown, or preparation for trial. 

Many criminal cases in Alberta are resolved before trial through strategic advocacy. Early and informed defence work can lead to reduced charges, alternative resolutions, or the withdrawal of charges altogether.

Step 6: Resolution or Trial

Not every case proceeds to trial. Depending on the facts and legal issues, your case may be resolved through diversion programs, peace bonds, negotiated outcomes, or withdrawal of charges.

If your case does go to trial, the Crown must prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The defence challenges the evidence, cross-examines witnesses, and presents legal arguments in your favour. The Criminal Code of Canada governs criminal procedure and offences across Alberta. 

Take Early Action With Patmore Defence on Your Side 

Criminal charges affect far more than court outcomes — they can impact your employment, family, mental health, and future opportunities. That’s why early legal advice matters. 

At Patmore Defence, clients are kept informed at every step, never left wondering what is happening or what comes next. With big-firm experience and small-firm dedication, Ryan Patmore understands how criminal cases are handled locally and across Western Canada. 

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, you don’t have to navigate the process alone — contact Patmore Defence for a free, confidential consultation (available 24/7) and move forward with support and clarity early on your charges.