Your Role — Prepare for our First Meeting

Our first meeting is critical. You need to understand where you are, the paths before you, and where you might land. Your case might even require prompt action (Garth). This meeting is also your opportunity to assess me as a lawyer. To make the most of this meeting, and to protect your interests even before you arrive, here's what you must do:

• Avoid speaking to anyone about your case, including your spouse and surety, and especially potential witnesses

• Bring all documents regarding your case, including the documents provided by the Court, the police, and the Crown. Do not judge a document to be unimportant. Bring too much rather than too little. If you have pictures, bring printed and digital copies.

• Bring the names and contact information for any witnesses you know. If anyone wants to provide you with a statement, inform him or her that “my lawyer said I shouldn’t speak about the case, but please write a detailed account of everything you know about my case and I will give it to my lawyer.” Say nothing else.

• Write a detailed account of the course of events that brought you to my office. Tell me about the allegations, the history behind the allegations, and your interaction with the police. Do not exclude a fact because you think it is irrelevant or unimportant. Include everything. Facts seemingly unimportant can become vital as your matter unfolds. If you're not sure you can tell me everything, read Your Role — Tell Me All.

• Keep our communications confidential. Do not share them with anyone (not even your spouse). Write on every page "to my lawyer." Put everything in an envelope entitled "communications with my lawyer."

• If you want to lay a counter charge, make a formal complaint against the police, or feel that you are under a legal obligation to make a statement (for example, to an insurance adjuster), do not take any action until you have received legal advice.

• Write out your questions and concerns. Bring it as a checklist to our meeting.