What happens after I contact Murray Torcetti Lawyers about my court date but before the conference to meet my lawyer?
We understand that being charged with an offence and having to come to court can be an overwhelming experience, and it's natural to have questions and concerns during this time. If you have been really proactive and made contact with us, we may not book a conference with you until closer to the first court date, and you might be asking why your lawyer has not been in touch sooner?
(Rest assured, you can still contact us before the conference if you have any questions)
We wanted to take a moment to provide you with some insight into the steps we undertake behind the scenes, even if it may seem like things are quiet after you've reached out to us but before our conference and your first court date.
At MTL, our team works diligently to build a strong defence strategy tailored to your specific situation. While it may appear that not much is happening immediately after your initial contact if your first court date is still a few weeks away, we want to assure you that we are actively working to protect your rights and interests.
Here are some of the essential tasks that get the ball rolling after your first contact with us.
Court Date and Diary:
As soon as we are notified about your upcoming court date, we add it to our diary to ensure that we have it marked and scheduled. This allows us to manage our caseload effectively and ensures that your case receives the attention it deserves.
Requesting Disclosure:
One of the crucial aspects of building a solid defence is obtaining the necessary information from the police. We promptly write to the police seeking disclosure of the police "QP9" materials, which contain the details of the allegations against you. This material is crucial for us to evaluate the case and develop an effective defence strategy.
File Setup:
Upon taking on your case, we create a dedicated file that contains all the relevant information, including any documentation you have provided us. This file is meticulously organised and serves as a central repository for your case-related materials.
Conference Booking:
If the court date is relatively close, we may lock in a conference right away in anticipation of receiving the police materials relatively quickly.
The timing of our initial conference is informed by when we expect to receive the necessary information from the police, as this enables us to provide you with the most accurate advice and guidance for the consultation.
In some cases, if you have been proactive and called right after being charged, the police may not have the documents ready for a couple of weeks. However, if you are especially worried or concerned you can come in and meet us before hand or give your lawyer a call.
Once we receive the police materials (QP9), we proceed to review them thoroughly and prepare your defence case assessment. At our conference with you, we will discuss the specific details of your case, go over the allegations, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
We understand that waiting for updates can be challenging, but please rest assured that we are diligently working behind the scenes to develop the best possible defence for your case. Should you have any urgent concerns or questions during this period, please do not hesitate to reach out to us, and we will do our best to address them promptly.
Most firms would say words to the effect of "thank you for entrustiung us to represent you", we think that goes without saying. We would add "we know needing a criminal defence lawyer is horrible, far worse then having to see a dentist, but we will do our best to shoulder as much of the stress as we can and remove the fear and confusion for you".
