Every person has rights that are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which limits what can be done against persons, even alleged criminal offenders. This should be considered as a guideline for you to make sure that you are receiving fair and just treatment in case of a criminal charge. Your rights in criminal law are what maintain your relationship to the government, the police, and the justice system. A few of these basic rights are as follows:
- Right to silence
- Right to be presumed innocent
- Right to be promptly informed of the reason for detention or arrest
- Right to a lawyer
- Right to a fair trial