2025
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Facing Assault Charges

Being charged with a serious crime like assault can be confronting and distressing. But in the very beginning before your case has gone very far, there are some mistakes that you can avoid, which will make everything easier and more favorable for your case. We will list a few potential mistakes, briefly, below.
Mistake #1:
Not hiring a lawyer right away. If you can afford the cost, then hire one yourself. If you cannot afford it, one will be assigned to you because you have the right to have legal counsel. If you have been charged and are remanded in custody, you have the right to speak to a lawyer right away. Exercise that right. Lesson: Hire and talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Mistake #2:
Sitting down with police officers and making lots of statements which will likely be recorded, and which could be held against you in court. Don’t say a word. Don’t make any statements to police until or unless your lawyer has advised you to do so (and the lawyer will not likely advise that.)
Mistake #3:
Talking to friends and family about your case. Do not talk to anyone about your case. Do only what your lawyer advises you to do. Talking too much can damage the potential witnesses that your defence lawyer might want to use. This also includes staying off social media. Never discuss your case in an open forum like that. Keep quiet as much as possible.
Mistake #4:
Contacting other parties to the case. Never try to do your own investigations or interview potential witnesses for the opposing side. Nothing good will come of it, and there is a steep downside. Your criminal lawyer will be working on your behalf to strengthen your case as much as possible. Do not get in his/her way or create problems for the lawyer. Rely on your lawyer.
Since there is a wide range of assault charges and a wide range of penalties including some extensive ones, we strongly recommend that you take our simple advice noted above and protect yourself and your case as much as you are able.
If you have been charged with assault, please contact Gagan Nahal for a free consultation in Vancouver at (604) 527-4769 as soon as possible. Mr. Nahal’s law practice focuses on criminal defence law, and he has extensive experience in this area of the law.
Gagan Nahal is a criminal defence lawyer based in Surrey, British Columbia, although he has represented clients across Canada. He works vigorously and tirelessly defending his clients.
If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to Mr. Nahal, please call him directly at (604) 527-4769.