What Should I Do Now?

1. Take photos of anything related to the alleged crime.
2. Save all text messages, emails, Facebook messages, videos, or statements from the complainant who had you charged with the crime.
3. Write down what happened. If this is a crime involving violence, assault, or a sexual allegation, write down all past incidents that happened against you.
4. Do not respond to any messages from the complainant.
5. Do not share information with your family and friends or other inmates related to your arrest.
6. Send all proof of communication and pictures to your lawyer or save it in a cloud drive to ensure that it won’t get lost.

You can provide police with your basic information, such as your name, birth date, and address, but you are not required to answer any questions or give any statements about the alleged crime. According to the Canadian Criminal Code, anything you say or do can be used against you in court. It is best call a lawyer for advice as soon as possible in the case of a criminal offence to avoid any risk of a criminal record.