Ottawa Criminal Investigation Lawyer

If the police have contacted you, asked you to come in for an interview, or you believe you are under investigation, what you do next can shape the entire case, sometimes before any charge is ever laid. Getting advice early is one of the most effective steps you can take. Brett McGarry is an Ottawa criminal defence lawyer who advises and represents people who are under investigation.

Call 613-884-8576 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Early Legal Advice Matters

Many people assume that talking to the police and explaining their side will clear things up. In reality, statements made during an investigation are often the strongest evidence the Crown later relies on. Getting advice before you speak with investigators can protect your rights, and in some cases the right approach early on can help avoid charges altogether or narrow what is laid.

Your Rights When the Police Want to Speak With You

You have important rights during an investigation:

• The right to silence. You are generally not required to answer questions or give a statement, beyond identifying yourself in certain situations.
• The right to counsel. You have the right to speak with a lawyer, and to be told of that right on arrest or detention.
• Protection against unreasonable search and seizure under section 8 of the Charter.

Police are gathering evidence to build the Crown’s case. You do not have to help them do that, and you should not try to talk your way out of an investigation on your own.

What to Do If the Police Contact You

If an officer asks you to come in for an interview, or appears with a search warrant, stay calm and be polite, but do not give a statement and do not consent to anything before speaking with a lawyer. Write down what happened, including what was said and done, and call a criminal defence lawyer right away. The same applies if you learn that someone has made an allegation against you.

How a Lawyer Helps Before Charges Are Laid

Acting during the investigation stage gives a lawyer the chance to protect your interests early. We can communicate with the police on your behalf, advise you on whether and how to respond, make sure your rights are respected, and in appropriate cases make representations that may affect whether charges are laid. Where charges do follow, you will already have a lawyer who knows your case from the start.

How Brett McGarry Can Help

Brett McGarry advises people at the earliest stage of a criminal matter, reviews the situation, and helps you make informed decisions about how to respond to the police. See the Track Record for examples of recent results.

Areas We Serve Across Ottawa

We advise people who are under investigation throughout Ottawa, from the downtown core to Kanata, Nepean, Barrhaven, Orléans and Gloucester. If the Ottawa Police or the OPP have contacted you anywhere in the city or region, early advice can protect your rights before any charge is laid. We assist clients in English and French.

Criminal Investigation FAQ

The police want to interview me. Do I have to go?

In most cases you are not required to give a statement. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer first. Speak to a criminal defence lawyer before agreeing to any interview.

Should I explain my side to clear things up?

No. Statements made during an investigation are often used as evidence later. Get legal advice before saying anything to investigators.

Can a lawyer help me before I am charged?

Yes. Early legal work can protect your rights, guide how you respond, and in some cases affect whether charges are laid at all.

The police are at my door with a search warrant. What do I do?

Stay calm, do not obstruct them, but do not give a statement or consent to anything beyond what the warrant requires. Note what happens and call a lawyer right away.

Does being investigated mean I will be charged?

Not necessarily. An investigation may or may not lead to charges, which is exactly why early legal advice can be valuable.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. A consultation with a criminal defence lawyer is confidential, so you can speak openly about your situation.

Contact an Ottawa Criminal Defence Lawyer

If you are under investigation or the police have contacted you in Ottawa, contact Brett McGarry before responding. Call 613-884-8576 or contact us online.

For more questions about criminal investigations in Ottawa, see our criminal law FAQ.

This page provides general information about the law in Canada and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.